1838

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 429

within the Department a central collection unit, which shall
be responsible for the collection of all delinquent accounts
and debts owed to the State or to any agency or official of
the State, in his official capacity, except [child support
payments owed under Article 88A, § 48] AS PROVIDED IN

SECTION (C-1)(4) PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION. IN

CARRYING OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES, THE UNIT IN ITS NAME MAY
BRING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE ACTION AVAILABLE UNDER STATE
LAW. The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations
concerning the operation of the unit and the collection of
delinquent accounts and debts INCLUDING PROCEDURES FOR THE
REFERRAL TO THE UNIT OF ACCOUNTS, DEBTS, AND CLAIMS AND
SUPPORTING RECORDS AND DATA. The collection unit may
compromise, adjust and settle such accounts or debts without
suit, if, in its judgment it is feasible and desirable to do
so. NO OTHER STATE AGENCY OR OFFICIAL SHALL COMPROMISE,
ADJUST, OR SETTLE ANY DELINQUENT DEBT OR ACCOUNT NOT
EXCEPTED BY PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION OR BY ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW.

(2) Disposition of Net Proceeds Collected. All
net proceeds collected by the central collection unit shall
be accounted for and paid into the State treasury, except
that the net proceeds collected on accounts or debts due to
an agency whose funds are not by law part of the treasury of
the State shall be delivered to the custody of the Treasurer
for the account of such agency.

[(3) Transfer of Employees. The Secretary, in
conjunction with the Secretary of Personnel, shall determine
which employees are primarily engaged in the collection of
delinquent accounts and debts for the State and its various
agencies and officials, and shall transfer all such
employees to the central collection unit created pursuant to
this section. Ail employees so transferred shall be
transferred without loss or diminution or remuneration of
benefits.]

[(4)] (3) Assistant Attorneys General; Other
Attorneys. The Attorney General, with the advice of the
Secretary, shall assign one or more assistant attorneys
general to the central collection unit. Such assistant or
assistants shall devote full time to their duties with the
central collection unit and shall have no other duties or
assignments. If a general counsel is appointed for the
Department pursuant to Article 41, § 71(d), the assistant
attorney general assigned to the central collection unit
shall be under the control and supervision of the general
counsel. The Secretary may enter into arrangements with one
or more other attorneys to handle collections on an agreed
case by case basis where it is not feasible for the
assistant attorneys general assigned to the central
collection unit to handle the particular case or cases.

[(5) Transfer of Property, Data, Appropriations,
etc. Every State agency and official shall promptly refer
to the central collection unit all delinquent debts and