US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

      (a)      In carrying out its responsibilities, the Central Collection Unit may:

            (1)      (i)      institute, in its name, any action that is available under State law for collection of a debt or claim; or

                  (ii)      without suit, settle the debt or claim;

            (2)      for all debts or claims collected on or after June 1, 1992:

                  (i)      in addition to the outstanding principal and interest, assess and collect from the debtor a fee, which may not exceed 20% of the outstanding principal and interest, sufficient to cover all collection and administrative costs; and

                  (ii)      prior to crediting any amount to any agency which refers a debt for any purpose, withhold a fee sufficient to cover all collection and administrative costs; and

            (3)      waive or reduce any fee assessed under paragraph (2) of this subsection.

      (b)      In addition to the authority provided under subsection (a) of this section, and notwithstanding that the Central Collection Unit is a unit of the State government and that assistant Attorneys General represent the Unit, the Unit may enforce a statutory or written contractual obligation of a debtor to pay costs in addition to principal, including collection costs, counsel fees, or interest penalties.

      (c)      Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Central Collection Unit may report any account referred to it under this section to a consumer reporting agency.