Ch. 640

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(2) A HEARING AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO COLLECTION
MATTERS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONDUCTED AS PROVIDED UNDER THE
MARYLAND RULES.

(3) THE REPORT PREPARED BY A MASTER MAY RECOMMEND
ADDITIONAL TERMS OF PROBATION IF THE DEFENDANT IS FOUND TO HAVE
VIOLATED A TERM OF PROBATION BY FAILING TO PAY ANY MONEY OWED AND MAY
INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF TIE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS;

(I) A RECOMMENDATION THAT, EXCEPT FOR RESTITUTION
PAYMENTS, A DEBT BE REDUCED OR DISCHARGED;

(II) A RECOMMENDATION FOR CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS OR
OTHER SANCTIONS; AND

(III) A RECOMMENDATION THAT AN ORDER OF RESTITUTION BE
RECORDED AND INDEXED AS A MONEY JUDGMENT.

(I) (H) EACH UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAM
ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND THE STATE COURT
ADMINISTRATOR IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That an individual who is a
State employee as of November 1, 1997, who is hired by a private contractor under
Section 1 of this Act, and who remains employed by the contractor as of the termination
of the Privatization Program established under Section 1 of this Act:

(1)     may return to State service at any time while the pilot program is in
existence and on the termination of the Pilot Program at a grade and step comparable to
the grade and step that the employee would have attained but for the implementation of
the pilot program with full restoration of benefits and seniority rights; and

(2)     notwithstanding limits under §§ 22-216 and 23-214 of the State
Personnel and Pensions Article, may be reinstated as a member of the Employees'
Pension System or the Employees' Retirement System in accordance with their
membership as a State employee and be entitled to the restoration of any service credit to
which the individual was entitled before employment with the private contractor whether
or not the individual was vested under those systems.

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That on or before October 1,
1998 and annually thereafter, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services,
in consultation with the State Court Administrator, shall report to the Chief Judge of the
Court of Appeals of Maryland, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Governor, and
the General Assembly, subject to § 2-1312 of the State Government Article, on the
operation and performance of the pilot program. The report shall assess the program's
effectiveness and success in enhancing collection through privatization. The Department
of Public Safety and Correctional Services, in consultation with the State Court
Administrator shall include in the report plans for improving the effectiveness and
success of the program.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That, if necessary to reach a

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