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16D.04 Collection activities.

Subdivision 1. Duties. The commissioner shall provide services to the state and its agencies to collect debts owed the state. The commissioner is not a collection agency as defined by section 332.31, subdivision 3, and is not licensed, bonded, or regulated by the commissioner of commerce under sections 332.31 to 332.35 or 332.38 to 332.45. The commissioner is subject to section 332.37, except clause (9), (10), (12), or (19). Debts referred to the commissioner for collection under section 256.9792 may in turn be referred by the commissioner to the enterprise. An audited financial statement may not be required as a condition of debt placement with a private agency if the private agency: (1) has errors and omissions coverage under a professional liability policy in an amount of at least $1,000,000; or (2) has a fidelity bond to cover actions of its employees, in an amount of at least $100,000. In cases of debts referred under section 256.9792, the provisions of this chapter and section 256.9792 apply to the extent they are not in conflict. If they are in conflict, the provisions of section 256.9792 control. For purposes of this chapter, the referring agency for such debts remains the Department of Human Services.

Subd. 2. Agency participation. (a) A state agency may, at its option, refer debts to the commissioner for collection. The ultimate responsibility for the debt, including the reporting of the debt to the commissioner of finance and the decision with regard to the continuing collection and uncollectibility of the debt, remains with the referring state agency.

(b) When a debt owed to a state agency becomes 121 days past due, the state agency must refer the debt to the commissioner for collection. This requirement does not apply if there is a dispute over the amount or validity of the debt, if the debt is the subject of legal action or administrative proceedings, or the agency determines that the debtor is adhering to acceptable payment arrangements. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of finance, may provide that certain types of debt need not be referred to the commissioner for collection under this paragraph. Methods and procedures for referral must follow internal guidelines prepared by the commissioner of finance.

Subd. 3. Services. The commissioner shall provide collection services for a state agency, and may provide for collection services for a court, in accordance with the terms and conditions of a signed debt qualification plan.

Subd. 4. Authority to contract. The commissioners of revenue and finance may contract with credit bureaus, private collection agencies, and other entities as necessary for the collection of debts. A private collection agency acting under a contract with the commissioner of revenue or finance is subject to sections 332.31 to 332.45, except that the private collection agency may indicate that it is acting under a contract with the state. The commissioner may not delegate the powers provided under section 16D.08 to any nongovernmental entity.

HIST: 1994 c 632 art 3 s 38; 1995 c 254 art 5 s 5,6; 1996 c 390 s 18,19; 1998 c 366 s 30,31; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 67

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes