each delinquent account or other debt that is owed to the State or any of its officials or units. (2)(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an official or unit of the State government shall refer to the Central Collection Unit each debt for which the Central Collection Unit has collection responsibility under this subsection and may not settle the debt. (ii) A public institution of higher education may not refer a delinquent student account or debt to the Central Collection Unit unless, in accordance with § 15-119 of the Education Article: 1. the delinquent account or debt has not been settled by the end of the late registration period of the semester after the student account became delinquent; or 2. the student has not entered into or made timely payments to satisfy an installment payment plan. (3) For the purposes of this subtitle, a community college or board of trustees for a community college established or operating under Title 16 of the Education Article is a unit of the State. Exceptions (b) Unless, with the approval of the Secretary, a unit of the State government assigns the claim to the Central Collection Unit, the Central Collection Unit is not responsible for and may not collect: (1) any taxes; (2) any child support payment that is owed under § 5-308 of the Human Services Article; (3) any unemployment insurance contribution or overpayment; (4) any fine; (5) any court costs; (6) any forfeiture on bond; (7) any money that is owed as a result of a default on a loan that the Department of Business and Economic Development or the Department of Housing and Community Development has made or insured; or (8) any money that is owed under Title 9, Subtitles 2, 3, and 4 and Title 20 of the Insurance Article.

of a defendant to a private collection agency whether or not the defendant's maximum sentence or probationary term has expired with or without holding a hearing pursuant to this section. Such collection agency shall adhere to accepted practices in accordance with applicable Federal and State law to collect such costs, fines and restitution. (b) Contracts with private collection agencies.-- (1) The president judge of the judicial district, county commissioner or designee of either may contract with private collection agencies for the collection of fines, costs and restitution in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) The amount of the collection fee as negotiated between the president judge of the judicial district, county commissioner or designee of either and private collection agencies shall be added to the bill of costs to be paid by the defendant and shall not exceed 25% of the amount collected. (3) The funds secured from the defendant by the private collection agency in connection with the collection of fines, costs and restitution shall be distributed as follows: (i) The fee due the private collection agency shall be paid. (ii) The balance shall be distributed in accordance with the original distribution of fines, costs and restitution as set forth in the order of the court sentencing the defendant.