§ 40:48-5a — Contract for collection services between municipality, private entity.

1. The governing body of any municipality may enter into contract with a private agency or firm for the purpose of collecting delinquent fees, fines, costs, surcharges and other penalties or assessments imposed, after a final determination of guilt, by a municipal court. The governing body of any municipality may proceed only when the court has exhausted all judicial enforcement remedies permitted by law or court rule and the Administrative Director of the Courts has authorized collection through a private agency or firm. The use of private agencies or firms to collect delinquent fees, fines, costs, surcharges, and other penalties or assessments imposed by a municipal court shall be in accordance with rules or procedures adopted by the Supreme Court. Any such contract shall be made and awarded pursuant to the provisions of the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.). The governing body of any municipality may authorize the assessment of a fee by a private agency or firm not to exceed 22% of the amount collected to be paid by the debtor to the private agency or firm to pay for the costs of collection. L.1983, c.208, s.1; amended 1997, c.212; 2009, c.233, s.3.