Following the lead of many city governments around the country, Washington D.C. is considering hiring third-party debt collectors to collect on delinquent fines and tickets. According to the Washington Examiner, the effort is being spearheaded by D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh, who seems eager for debt collection agencies to get the authority to put liens on consumer property and garnish consumers’ income. The Delinquent Debt Recovery Act would also authorize the creation of a central collections department, rather than each agency having its own collection unit. Maryland officials are helping to structure the unit, and have hopes that nearby states could coordinate in targeting consumers who have a ticket or fine in one jurisdiction but live in another.

If enacted, the debt collection agencies with whom the District contracts would be able to tack on collection fees, thus making consumers pay more while not incurring any cost to the District.