§9-3-5. Services to persons not otherwise eligible.

The department may make available the services established under the provisions of section four of this article, to any person not eligible for receipt of public assistance upon application by such person: Provided, That the department may not require such person to use its services. These services may include, but need not be limited to, the following: Location of the responsible parent whose whereabouts are unknown, collection of child support and maintenance moneys owed, and distribution of support and maintenance moneys paid.

The department may charge a reasonable fee to nonpublic assistance persons for the provision of services and, when the department has provided services for the collection of support and maintenance, may charge a reasonable fee to the person responsible for the support and maintenance. The commissioner shall establish by regulations the amount of such fees, not in excess of maximum amounts permitted by applicable federal law, which regulations may be amended and supplemented from time to time.