2598                                            LAWS OF MARYLAND                                     Ch. 885

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC PAYMENTS IS

NOT COMPLYING WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OR THE

STANDARDS, HE SHALL ORDER THE OFFICE TO TAKE THE STEPS

NECESSARY TO EFFECT COMPLIANCE AND, IF NECESSSARY, OBTAIN

COMPLIANCE THROUGH LEGAL PROCESS AVAILABLE TO THE

DEPARTMENT.

[Division] BUREAU of [child] support enforcement.

(a) There is a [division] BUREAU of [child] support
enforcement in the Social Services Administration.

(b) (1) The [division] BUREAU shall implement OR
COORDINATE throughout the State a program to recover [child]
support payments [from absent parents of children who
receive aid to families with dependent children.] AS
PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION.

(2) The responsibilities AND DUTIES of the
[division] BUREAU shall include:

(i) Acceptance of assignments of rights,

titles, or interest in support made, PURSUANT TO SECTION

48(2) OF THIS ARTICLE;

(ii) location of absent parents AND
MAINTENANCE OF A CENTRAL REGISTRY PURSUANT TO SECTION 5A OF
THIS ARTICLE;

(iii) Determination of the ability of
absent parents to contribute toward child support;

(iv) In its name, prosecution and

maintenance of any legal and equitable support actions,
including paternity proceedings, available under State law
to establish each absent parent's legal obligation for child
support IN ALL CASES IN WHICH AN ASSIGNMENT HAS BEEN HADE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 48(2) OF THIS ARTICLE;

(v) Collection of [child] support
payments INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
OWED THE STATE AS THE RESULT OF AN ASSIGNMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 48(2) OF THIS ARTICLE;

(vi) Utilization of established legal
processes to enforce [child] support orders OF THE COURTS;

(vii) [Distribution] DISBURSEMENT of
[child] support payments in accordance with law; [and]

(viii) Cooperation with other states

in establishment and enforcement of child support

obligations[.]; AND

(IX) COLLECTION OF FEES, AS APPROPRIATE,
TO DEFRAY THE COSTS OF PROVIDING SERVICES.

(3) If, in the judgment of the [division]