Section 9-406 - Discharge of account debtor; notification of assignment; identification and proof of assignment; term prohibiting assignment ineffective. - Maryland Statutes

§ 9-406. Discharge of account debtor; notification of assignment; identification and proof of assignment; term prohibiting assignment ineffective.
 

(a)  Subject to subsections (b) through (j), an account debtor on an account, chattel paper, or a payment intangible may discharge its obligation by paying the assignor until, but not after, the account debtor receives a notification, authenticated by the assignor or the assignee, that the amount due or to become due has been assigned and that payment is to be made to the assignee. After receipt of the notification, the account debtor may discharge its obligation by paying the assignee and may not discharge the obligation by paying the assignor. 

(b)  Subject to subsection (h), notification is ineffective under subsection (a): 

(1) If it does not reasonably identify the rights assigned; 

(2) To the extent that an agreement between an account debtor and a seller of a payment intangible limits the account debtor's duty to pay a person other than the seller and the limitation is effective under law other than this article; or 

(3) At the option of an account debtor, if the notification notifies the account debtor to make less than the full amount of any installment or other periodic payment to the assignee, even if: 

(A) Only a portion of the account, chattel paper, or payment intangible has been assigned to that assignee; 

(B) A portion has been assigned to another assignee; or 

(C) The account debtor knows that the assignment to that assignee is limited. 

(c)  Subject to subsection (h), if requested by the account debtor, an assignee shall seasonably furnish reasonable proof that the assignment has been made. Unless the assignee complies, the account debtor may discharge its obligation by paying the assignor, even if the account debtor has received a notification under subsection (a). 

(d)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) and §§ 2A-303 of this article and 9-407, and subject to subsection (h), a term in an agreement between an account debtor and an assignor or in a promissory note is ineffective to the extent that it: 

(1) Prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of the account debtor or person obligated on the promissory note to the assignment or transfer of, or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest in, the account, chattel paper, payment intangible, or promissory note; or 

(2) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of the security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the account, chattel paper, payment intangible, or promissory note. 

(e)  Subsection (d) does not apply to the sale of a payment intangible or promissory note. 

(f)  Except as otherwise provided in §§ 2A-303 of this article and 9-407, and subject to subsections (h) and (i) of this section, a rule of law, statute, or regulation that prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of a government, governmental body or official, or account debtor to the assignment or transfer of, or creation of a security interest in, an account or chattel paper is ineffective to the extent that the rule of law, statute, or regulation: 

(1) Prohibits, restricts, or requires the consent of the government, governmental body or official, or account debtor to the assignment or transfer of, or the creation of a security interest in, the account or chattel paper; or 

(2) Provides that the assignment or transfer or the creation, attachment, perfection, or enforcement of a security interest may give rise to a default, breach, right of recoupment, claim, defense, termination, right of termination, or remedy under the account or chattel paper. 

(g)  Subject to subsection (h), an account debtor may not waive or vary its option under subsection (b)(3). 

(h)  This section is subject to law other than this title which establishes a different rule for an account debtor who is an individual and who incurred the obligation primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. 

(i)  This section does not apply to an assignment of a health-care-insurance receivable. 

(j) (1)  Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section prevails over any inconsistent statute of this State, unless the provision is contained in a statute of this State, refers expressly to this section, and states that the provision prevails over this section. 

(2) Subsections (d) and (f) do not apply to: 

(A) A claim or right to receive amounts under a workers' compensation act as compensation for an accidental injury or an occupational disease; 

(B) A claim or right to receive amounts, whether by suit or agreement and whether as lump sums or as periodic payments, for damages arising from personal injuries; and 

(C) A claim or right to receive benefits from a special needs trust described in 42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d)(4), as amended from time to time. 
 

[1999, ch. 282, § 2; 2001, ch. 408, § 2; 2002, ch. 477; 2009, ch. 60, § 5.]