In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Actual address” means a residential street address, including primary residence or secondary residence, of a protected individual as specified on the protected individual’s application to be a Program participant under this subtitle. “Governmental entity” has the meaning stated in § 10–1501 of the State Government Article. “Office of Information Privacy” means the Office of Information Privacy in the Administrative Office of the Courts. “Program” means the Judicial Address Confidentiality Program. “Program participant” means a protected individual designated as a Program participant under this subtitle. “Protected individual” has the meaning stated in § 3–2301 of this title.

The purpose of this subtitle is to: Enable State and local agencies to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the actual address of a Program participant; Encourage interagency cooperation in providing address confidentiality for Program participants; Allow governmental entities and persons to accept a Program participant’s use of an address designated by the Office of Information Privacy as a substitute address; and Provide a Program participant with protections in addition to those provided under Title 3, Subtitle 23 of this article.

The Office of Information Privacy shall establish and administer a Judicial Address Confidentiality Program for protected individuals.

A protected individual may apply to participate in the Program in the manner required by the Office of Information Privacy. On receipt of an application to participate in the Program, the Office of Information Privacy shall determine whether the applicant qualifies as a Program participant.

The Office of Information Privacy may: Request that a person or governmental entity use a substitute address designated by the Office of Information Privacy as the Program participant’s address; Request the shielding of real property records on behalf of a Program participant who has an ownership interest in real property in accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 1, Part II of the Real Property Article; and Request that a Program participant’s actual address be shielded from public inspection in a record maintained by a governmental entity. A request made by the Office of Information Privacy under this subtitle certifies that a requester is a Program participant. On receipt of a request by the Office of Information Privacy, a person or governmental entity shall: Promptly acknowledge receipt of the request in writing by certified mail or by e–mail; and Take steps reasonably necessary to comply. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(3) of this section, a custodian of record may: Maintain a copy of a record containing a Program participant’s actual address in a separate secure area to which persons who do not have a legitimate reason for access are denied access; Permit public inspection of a record with the consent of the Program participant; Permit public inspection of a record with the actual address redacted from the record; or After notification to the Program participant, permit public inspection of a record if the inspection will further a substantial public interest or a legitimate business need.

A record of a Program participant’s actual address and telephone number maintained by the Office of Information Privacy or a governmental entity is not a public record within the meaning of § 4–101 of the General Provisions Article.

A person may not knowingly disclose a Program participant’s actual address. A protected individual or the Office of Information Privacy may bring an action for a violation of this section for: Declaratory relief; Injunctive relief; or Reasonable attorney’s fees.