(a) A provider may not impose directly or indirectly a fee or other charge on an individual or receive money from or on behalf of an individual for debt-management services except as permitted by this section.
(b) A provider may not impose charges or receive payment for debt-management services until the provider and the individual have signed an agreement that complies with sections 419 and 428.
(c) If an individual assents to an agreement, a provider may not impose a fee or other charge for educational or counseling services, or the like, except as otherwise provided in this subsection and section 428(d). The Lieutenant Governor may authorize a provider to charge a fee based on the nature and extent of the educational or counseling services furnished by the provider.
(d) Subject to adjustment of dollar amounts pursuant to section 432(f), the following rules apply:
(1) If an individual assents to a plan that contemplates that creditors will reduce finance charges or fees for late payment, default, or delinquency, the provider may charge:
(A) a fee not exceeding $50 for consultation, obtaining a credit report, setting up an account, and the like; and
(B) a monthly service fee, not to exceed $10 times the number of creditors remaining in a plan at the time the fee is assessed, but not more than $50 in any month.
(2) If an individual assents to an agreement that contemplates that creditors will settle debts for less than the principal amount of the debt, a provider may charge:
(A) subject to section 419(d), a fee for consultation, obtaining a credit report, setting up an account, and the like, in an amount not exceeding the lesser of $400 and four percent of the debt in the plan at the inception of the plan; and
(B) a monthly service fee, not to exceed $10 times the number of creditors remaining in a plan at the time the fee is assessed, but not more than $50 in any month.
(3) A provider may not impose or receive fees under both paragraphs (1) and (2).
(4) Except as otherwise provided in section 428(d), if an individual does not assent to an agreement, a provider may receive for educational and counseling services it provides to the individual a fee not exceeding $100 or, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, a larger fee. The Lieutenant Governor may approve a fee larger than $100 if the nature and extent of the educational and counseling services warrant the larger fee.
(e) If, before the expiration of 90 days after the completion or termination of educational or counseling services, an individual assents to an agreement, the provider shall refund to the individual any fee paid pursuant to subsection (d)(4).
(f) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d), if an agreement contemplates that creditors will settle an individual's debts for less than the principal amount of the debt, compensation for services in connection with settling a debt may not exceed, with respect to each debt:
(1) 30 percent of the excess of the principal amount of the debt over the amount paid the creditor pursuant to the agreement, less
(2) to the extent it has not been credited against an earlier settlement fee:
(A) the fee charged pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A); and
(B) the aggregate of fees charged pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(B).
(g) Subject to adjustment of the dollar amount pursuant to section 432(f), if a payment to a provider by an individual under this chapter is dishonored, a provider may impose a reasonable charge on the individual, not to exceed the lesser of $25 and the amount permitted by law other than this chapter.