ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             Ch. 312

BY adding to

Article - Family Law

Section 10-119.1 and 10-119.2

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1999 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Family Law

10-119.1.

(A)     IN THIS SECTION, "CONCILIATION CONFERENCE" MEANS A CONFERENCE
CONDUCTED AT A SITE DESIGNATED BY THE PILOT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARTIES
TO RESOLVE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH AN ACTION TO MODIFY OR ENFORCE A DUTY
OF SUPPORT PRIOR TO GOING TO A COURT PROCEEDING.

(B)     (1) NOTWITHSTANDING § 13-405 OF THE STATE PERSONNEL AND
PENSIONS ARTICLE, THERE IS A CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PRIVATIZATION
PILOT PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

(2) THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL OPERATE IN BALTIMORE CITY AND
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY.

(C)     THE PURPOSE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM IS TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY
OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE COMPANIES TO
PRIVATIZE ALL ASPECTS OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE
DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING:

(1)      LOCATING ABSENT PARENTS;

(2)      ESTABLISHING PATERNITIES;

(3)      ESTABLISHING SUPPORT ORDERS;

(4)      COLLECTING AND DISBURSING SUPPORT PAYMENTS;

(5)      REVIEWING AND MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS; AND

(6)      EXCEPT FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH §
10-115 OF THIS SUBTITLE AND AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW, ENFORCING
SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.

(D)     SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (H) OF THIS SECTION, THE SECRETARY SHALL:

(1) ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT:

(I) REQUIRE THE TRANSFER OF ALL ASPECTS OF CHILD SUPPORT
ENFORCEMENT TO ONE OR MORE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS BY JULY 1, 2003;

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