1. A. Available Services. An individual eligible for support enforcement services may receive the following services as appropriate:

   1. (1) Location of a parent;
   2. (2) Establishment of paternity and a support obligation;
   3. (3) Review and modification of a support obligation;
   4. (4) Enforcement of a support obligation; and
   5. (5) Collection and disbursement of support payments.

2. B. Eligibility and Application Fee.

   1. (1) An individual receiving TCA or Medical Assistance is eligible for child support enforcement services without filing an application or payment of an application fee.
   2. (2) An individual who is no longer eligible for TCA or Medical Assistance may continue to receive child support enforcement services without filing an application or paying an application fee.
   3. (3) A child who receives foster care by a local department is eligible for child support enforcement services upon referral by the local department director or the director's designee.

   4. (4) Except as provided in §B(1)—(3) of this regulation, an individual who requests child support enforcement services is eligible for the services upon:

      1. (a) Filing an application; and
      2. (b) Paying a $15 application fee.
   5. (5) Except as provided in §B(6) of this regulation, the support enforcement agency shall assess the $15 application fee only once to an individual regardless of the number of child support cases for which the individual makes application.

   6. (6) If an individual requests termination of child support services for all of the individual’s child support cases and subsequently reapplies for services, the individual shall:

      1. (a) Submit a written application; and
      2. (b) Pay the $15 application fee.

   7. (7) When an individual requests child support services, the support enforcement agency shall provide to the individual:

      1. (a) An application form:

         1. (i) On the day of the request, if the request is made in person, or
         2. (ii) Within 5 working days, if the request is made by telephone or by mail; and
      2. (b) Pamphlets which provide information about the program including available services, rights, and responsibilities, and the distribution of child support collections.

   8. (8) When an individual applies for TCA, foster care, or Medical Assistance, the local department shall provide the applicant with information about the child support enforcement program including available services, rights and responsibilities, and distribution of child support collections:

      1. (a) At the time of application; or
      2. (b) Within 5 working days of referral to the support enforcement agency.

3. C. Other Fees. An annual collection fee of $15 shall be deducted from child support payments in a case in which a family:

   1. (1) Never received TCA; and
   2. (2) Has received at least $3,500 in child support payments during the federal fiscal year.

Authority: Family Law Article, §§10-106—10-116, 10-118, 10-119, 10-119.3—10-144, and 10-303—10-359, Annotated Code of Maryland;
Agency Note: Federal Regulatory Reference—45 CFR §§302, 303.2—303.15, 303.30, 303.31, and 303.71—303.106; 42 U.S.C. §654(6)(B)

Effective date: March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 482)

Regulation .02 amended effective September 17, 2001 (28:18 Md. R. 1619); August 29, 2016 (43:17 Md. R. 952)

Regulation .02C amended effective December 6, 2007 (34:24 Md. R. 2157); March 9, 2009 (36:5 Md. R. 421)

Regulation .03A amended effective September 17, 2001 (28:18 Md. R. 1619)

Regulation .04 amended effective November 14, 2011 (38:23 Md. R. 1419)

Regulation .05 amended effective January 1, 2007 (33:26 Md. R. 1995); November 14, 2011 (38:23 Md. R. 1419)

Regulation .05A amended effective September 17, 2001 (28:18 Md. R. 1619); July 16, 2009 (36:14 Md. R. 984); April 30, 2012 (39:8 Md. R. 533)