<section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-101" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Applicant” means a person or governmental unit that asks to inspect a public record.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Board” means the State Public Information Act Compliance Board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Custodian” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the official custodian; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other authorized individual who has physical custody and control of a public record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“News media” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>newspapers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>magazines;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>journals;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>press associations;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>news agencies;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>wire services;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>radio;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>television; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>any printed, photographic, mechanical, or electronic means of disseminating news and information to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Official custodian” means an officer or employee of the State or of a political subdivision who is responsible for keeping a public record, whether or not the officer or employee has physical custody and control of the public record.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Person in interest” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a person or governmental unit that is the subject of a public record or a designee of the person or governmental unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the person has a legal disability, the parent or legal representative of the person; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>as to requests for correction of certificates of death under § 5–310(d)(2) of the Health – General Article, the spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, grandparent, or guardian of the person of the deceased at the time of the deceased’s death.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>“Personal information” means information that identifies an individual.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in § 4–355 of this title, “personal information” includes an individual’s:</text> <level label="i"> <text>name;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>address;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>e–mail address;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>driver’s license number or any other identification number;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>medical or disability information;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>photograph or computer–generated image;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Social Security number; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>telephone number.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Personal information” does not include an individual’s:</text> <level label="i"> <text>driver’s status;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>driving offenses;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>five–digit zip code; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>information on vehicular accidents.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Police officer” has the meaning stated in § 3–201 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Political subdivision” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a municipal corporation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an unincorporated town;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a school district; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a special district.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>“Public record” means the original or any copy of any documentary material that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is made by a unit or an instrumentality of the State or of a political subdivision or received by the unit or instrumentality in connection with the transaction of public business; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is in any form, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a card;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a computerized record;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>correspondence;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a drawing;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>film or microfilm;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a form;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>a map;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>a photograph or photostat;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>a recording; or</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>a tape.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Public record” includes a document that lists the salary of an employee of a unit or an instrumentality of the State or of a political subdivision.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Public record” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a digital photographic image or signature of an individual, or the actual stored data of the image or signature, recorded by the Motor Vehicle Administration; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a record or any information submitted to the Public Access Ombudsman or the Board under Subtitle 1B of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Technical infraction” means a minor rule violation by an individual solely related to the enforcement of administrative rules that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>does not involve an interaction between a member of the public and the individual;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not relate to the individual’s investigative, enforcement, training, supervision, or reporting responsibilities; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>is not otherwise a matter of public concern.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-102" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>The State, a political subdivision, or a unit of the State or of a political subdivision may keep only the information about a person that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is needed by the State, the political subdivision, or the unit to accomplish a governmental purpose that is authorized or required to be accomplished under:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statute or any other legislative mandate;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an executive order of the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an executive order of the chief executive of a local jurisdiction; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a judicial rule; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is relevant to accomplishment of the purpose.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-103" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>All persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To carry out the right set forth in subsection (a) of this section, unless an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of a person in interest would result, this title shall be construed in favor of allowing inspection of a public record, with the least cost and least delay to the person or governmental unit that requests the inspection.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This title does not preclude a member of the General Assembly from acquiring the names and addresses of and statistical information about individuals who are licensed or, as required by a State law, registered.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-104" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Each official custodian shall adopt a policy of proactive disclosure of public records that are available for inspection under this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The policy adopted under subsection (a) of this section may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>vary as appropriate to the type of public record and to reflect the staff and budgetary resources of the governmental unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include publication of public records on the website of the governmental unit, to the extent practicable, or publication of prior responses to requests for inspection made under this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-01" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <text>There is a State Public Information Act Compliance Board.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-02" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board consists of five members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>One member of the Board shall be a representative:</text> <level label="1"> <text>from a nongovernmental nonprofit group that is organized in the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>who works on issues related to transparency or open government; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>who is nominated by representatives of the open government and news media communities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One member of the Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>have knowledge of the provisions of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>have served as a custodian in the State as defined in § 4–101(d) of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be nominated by the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>Three members of the Board shall be private citizens of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A private citizen member of the Board may not be:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>a custodian of a public record;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>a member of the news media; or</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>a staff member or spokesperson for an organization that represents the interests of custodians or applicants for public records.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At least two members of the Board shall be attorneys admitted to the Maryland Bar.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At least one member of the Board shall be knowledgeable about electronic records, including electronic storage, retrieval, review, and reproduction technologies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor shall publish, on the website of the Office of the Governor, notice of the Governor’s intent to consider applicants for positions on the Board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The notice shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>application procedures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>criteria for evaluating an applicant’s qualifications; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>procedures for resolving any conflicts of interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Governor shall solicit recommendations for positions on the Board from representatives of the custodian, news media, and nonprofit communities.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <level label="1"> <text>An individual may submit to the Governor an application for membership on the Board as provided under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The names and qualifications of applicants shall be posted on the website of the Office of the Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>When evaluating an applicant, the Governor shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>consider the need for geographic, political, racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity on the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure the neutrality of the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint the members of the Board from the pool of applicants under paragraph (5) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>From among the members of the Board, the Governor shall appoint a chair.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member is 3 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 2015.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member may not serve for more than two consecutive 3–year terms.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-03" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A majority of the full authorized membership of the Board is a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall determine the times and places of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A member of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Office of the Attorney General shall provide staff and office space for the Board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall provide at least two staff members to assist the Board and the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman to carry out the duties of the Board under this subtitle and the Office under Subtitle 1B of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-04" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>receive, review, and, subject to § 4–1A–07 of this subtitle, resolve complaints filed under § 4–1A–05 of this subtitle from any applicant or the applicant’s designated representative alleging that a custodian:</text> <level label="i"> <text>denied inspection of a public record in violation of this title;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>charged an unreasonable fee under § 4–206 of this title of more than $350; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>failed to respond to a request for a public record within the time limits established under § 4–203(a) or (d) of this title;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>issue a written decision as to whether a violation has occurred; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>order the custodian to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if the Board finds that the custodian has denied inspection of a public record in violation of this title, produce the public record for inspection;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the Board finds that the custodian charged an unreasonable fee under § 4–206 of this title, reduce the fee to an amount determined by the Board to be reasonable and refund the difference; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if the Board finds that the custodian failed to respond to a request for a public record within the time limits established under § 4–203(a) or (d) of this title:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promptly respond; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at the Board’s discretion and only if the written decision includes the Board’s reasons for ordering the waiver, waive all or part of the fee the custodian is otherwise entitled to charge under § 4–206 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>receive, review, and, subject to § 4–1A–07 of this subtitle, resolve complaints filed under § 4–1A–05 of this subtitle from any custodian alleging that an applicant’s request or pattern of requests is frivolous, vexatious, or in bad faith;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>issue a written decision as to whether the applicant’s request or pattern of requests is frivolous, vexatious, or in bad faith; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>if the Board finds that the applicant’s request is frivolous, vexatious, or in bad faith, based on the totality of the circumstances including the number and scope of the applicant’s past requests and the custodian’s responses to past requests and efforts to cooperate with the applicant, issue an order authorizing the custodian to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>ignore the request that is the subject of the custodian’s complaint; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>respond to a less burdensome version of the request within a reasonable time frame, as determined by the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>study ongoing compliance with this title by custodians; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>make recommendations to the General Assembly for improvements to this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before October 1 of each year, the Board shall submit a report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>describe the activities of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>describe the decisions of the Board;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>state the number and nature of complaints filed with the Board; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>recommend any improvements to this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-05" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Any applicant, the applicant’s designated representative, or a custodian may file a written complaint with the Board seeking a written decision and order from the Board under § 4–1A–04 of this subtitle if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complainant has attempted to resolve the dispute through the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman under § 4–1B–04 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Public Access Ombudsman has issued a final determination stating that the dispute was not resolved.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The complaint shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>identify the custodian or applicant that is the subject of the complaint;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>describe the action of the custodian or applicant, the date of the action, and the circumstances of the action;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be signed by the complainant;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if available, include a copy of the original request for public records and the custodian’s response, if any; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>be filed within 30 calendar days after the complainant receives the final determination of the Public Access Ombudsman under § 4–1B–04 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-06" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on receipt of a written complaint, the Board promptly shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>send the complaint to the custodian or applicant identified in the complaint; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>request that a response to the complaint be sent to the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The custodian or applicant shall file a written response to the complaint within 30 calendar days after receiving the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On request of the Board, the custodian shall provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if the complaint alleges that the custodian failed to respond to a request for a public record within the time limits established under § 4–203 of this title, a response to the request for the public record;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the complaint alleges that the custodian denied inspection of a public record in violation of this title:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a copy of the public record, descriptive index of the public record, or written reason why the record cannot be disclosed, as appropriate; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the provision of law on which the custodian relied in denying inspection of the public record; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if the complaint alleges that the custodian charged an unreasonable fee under § 4–206 of this title, the basis for the fee that was charged.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>If the complaint alleges that the custodian denied inspection of a public record under § 4–301(a)(2)(ii) of this title, the custodian may not be required to produce the public record for Board review.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board may request information about the public record from the custodian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On request of the Board, a custodian or an applicant shall provide an affidavit or a statement containing the facts that are at issue in the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Board shall maintain the confidentiality of any record or information submitted by a custodian or an applicant under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A custodian may not be civilly or criminally liable under Maryland law for providing or describing a public record to the Board under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The provision of a record or a description of a record to the Board under this subsection may not be construed as a waiver of any applicable privilege.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a written response or information requested under subsection (b) of this section is not received within 30 calendar days after the request is sent, the Board shall decide the case on the facts before the Board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-07" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall review the complaint and any response.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall issue a written decision within 30 calendar days after receiving the written response and all information requested under § 4–1A–06(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if the Board is unable to reach a determination based on the written submissions before it, the Board may schedule an informal conference to hear from the complainant, the affected custodian or applicant, or any other person with relevant information about the subject of the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board shall hold the informal conference under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph in a location that is as convenient as practicable to the complainant and the affected custodian or applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When conducting a conference that is scheduled under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board may allow the parties to testify by teleconference or submit written testimony by electronic mail.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An informal conference scheduled by the Board is not a contested case within the meaning of § 10–202(d) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Board shall issue a written decision within 30 calendar days after the informal conference.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Board is unable to issue a decision on a complaint within the time periods specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this section, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>state in writing the reason for its inability to issue a decision; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue a decision as soon as possible but not later than 120 days after the filing of the complaint.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A decision of the Board may state that the Board is unable to resolve the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person may not appeal under § 4–1A–10 of this subtitle or § 4–362(a)(2) of this title a decision of the Board stating that the Board is unable to resolve the complaint.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall send a copy of the written decision to the complainant and the affected custodian or applicant.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-08" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board may send to any custodian in the State any written decision that will provide the custodian with guidance on compliance with this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Attorney General shall post on the website of the Office of the Attorney General all of the Board’s written decisions under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-09" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <text>Compliance by a custodian with an order of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is not an admission to a violation of this title by the custodian; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be used as evidence in a proceeding conducted in accordance with § 4–362 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1A-10" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1A" subtitle_name="State Public Information Act Compliance Board"> <level label="a"> <text>A person or governmental unit need not exhaust the administrative remedy under this subtitle before filing suit.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, an applicant, a complainant, or a custodian may appeal the decision issued by the Board under this subtitle in accordance with § 4–362 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An appeal under this subsection automatically stays the decision of the Board pending the circuit court’s decision.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1B-01" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1B" subtitle_name="Public Access Ombudsman"> <text>In this subtitle, “Ombudsman” means the Public Access Ombudsman.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1B-02" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1B" subtitle_name="Public Access Ombudsman"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Office of the Public Access Ombudsman.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to § 4–1A–03(d)(2) of this title, the Office of the Attorney General shall provide office space and staff for the Ombudsman, with appropriate steps taken to protect the autonomy and independence of the Ombudsman.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1B-03" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1B" subtitle_name="Public Access Ombudsman"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Attorney General shall appoint the Ombudsman.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Ombudsman shall have been admitted to practice law in the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall publish, on its website, notice of the Attorney General’s intent to consider applicants for the Ombudsman position.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>application procedures;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>criteria for evaluating an applicant’s qualifications; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>procedures for resolving any conflicts of interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>An individual may submit to the Attorney General an application for the Ombudsman position as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall post on its website the names and qualifications of applicants.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of the Ombudsman is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the end of a term, the Ombudsman continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An Ombudsman who is appointed after a term begins serves for the remainder of the term until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Ombudsman shall be a full–time State employee.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Ombudsman is entitled to an annual salary as provided for in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Ombudsman may delegate to a staff member of the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman any of the powers and duties granted to the Ombudsman under this subtitle that are appropriate to the staff member’s training and expertise.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-1B-04" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="1B" subtitle_name="Public Access Ombudsman"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Ombudsman shall make reasonable attempts to resolve disputes between applicants and custodians relating to requests for public records under this title, including disputes over:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the custodian’s application of an exemption;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>redactions of information in the public record;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the failure of the custodian to produce a public record in a timely manner or to disclose all records relevant to the request;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>overly broad requests for public records;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the amount of time a custodian needs, given available staff and resources, to produce public records;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a request for or denial of a fee waiver under § 4–206(e) of this title;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>repetitive or redundant requests from an applicant;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>fees imposed under § 4–206 of this title; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>a request or pattern of requests from an applicant that is alleged to be frivolous, vexatious, or made in bad faith.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 90 calendar days after receiving a request for dispute resolution, unless the parties mutually agree to extend the deadline, the Ombudsman shall issue a final determination stating:</text> <level label="1"> <text>that the dispute has been resolved; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that the dispute has not been resolved.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Ombudsman issues a final determination stating that the dispute has not been resolved, the Ombudsman shall inform the applicant and the custodian of the availability of review by the Board under § 4–1A–04 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>When resolving disputes under this section, the Ombudsman may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>compel a custodian to disclose public records or redacted information in the custodian’s physical custody to the Ombudsman or an applicant; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, disclose information received from an applicant or custodian without written consent from the applicant and custodian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Ombudsman may disclose information received from an applicant or custodian to the assistant Attorney General assigned to the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman or to any other person working under the direction of the Ombudsman.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An individual to whom the Ombudsman discloses information under this paragraph may not disclose the information without written consent from the applicant and custodian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Ombudsman may transfer basic information about a dispute, including the identity of the applicant and custodian and the nature of the dispute, to the Board if appropriate steps have been taken to protect the confidentiality of communications made or received in the course of attempting to resolve the dispute.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-201" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, a custodian shall allow a person or governmental unit to inspect any public record at any reasonable time.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Inspection or copying of a public record may be denied only to the extent provided under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To protect public records and to prevent unnecessary interference with official business, each official custodian shall adopt reasonable rules or regulations that, subject to this title:</text> <level label="1"> <text>govern timely production and inspection of a public record; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prevent unauthorized disclosure or inspection of a public record, including in accordance with § 4–320.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each official custodian shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designate types of public records of the governmental unit that are to be made available to any applicant immediately on request; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>maintain a current list of the types of public records that have been designated as available to any applicant immediately on request.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-202" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person or governmental unit that wishes to inspect a public record shall submit a written application to the custodian.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person or governmental unit need not submit a written application to the custodian if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person or governmental unit seeks to inspect a public record listed by an official custodian in accordance with § 4–201(c)(2) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the custodian waives the requirement for a written application.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the individual to whom the application is submitted is not the custodian of the public record, within 10 working days after receiving the application, the individual shall give the applicant:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notice of that fact; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if known:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the custodian; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the location or possible location of the public record.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>When an applicant requests to inspect a public record and a custodian determines that the record does not exist, the custodian shall notify the applicant of this determination:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the custodian has reached this determination on initial review of the application, immediately; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the custodian has reached this determination after a search for potentially responsive public records, promptly after the search is completed but not more than 30 days after receiving the application.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-203" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the custodian shall grant or deny the application promptly, but not more than 30 days after receiving the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The custodian shall grant or deny an application that is the subject of § 4–356 of this title not more than 50 days after receiving the application.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A custodian who approves the application shall produce the public record immediately or within a reasonable period that is needed to retrieve the public record, but not more than 30 days after receipt of the application.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the custodian reasonably believes that it will take more than 10 working days to produce the public record, the custodian shall indicate in writing or by electronic mail within 10 working days after receipt of the request:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the amount of time that the custodian anticipates it will take to produce the public record;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an estimate of the range of fees that may be charged to comply with the request for public records; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the reason for the delay.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Failure to produce the public record in accordance with this subsection constitutes a denial of an application that may not be considered the result of a bona fide dispute unless the custodian has complied with paragraph (2) of this subsection and is working with the applicant in good faith.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A custodian who denies the application shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>within 10 working days, give the applicant a written statement that gives:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the reasons for the denial;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if inspection is denied under § 4–343 of this title:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>a brief explanation of why the denial is necessary; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>an explanation of why redacting information would not address the reasons for the denial;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the legal authority for the denial;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>without disclosing the protected information, a brief description of the undisclosed record that will enable the applicant to assess the applicability of the legal authority for the denial; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>notice of the remedies under this title for review of the denial; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>allow inspection of any part of the record that is subject to inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A custodian may not ignore an application to inspect public records on the grounds that the application was intended for purposes of harassment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Any time limit imposed under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>with the consent of the applicant, may be extended for not more than 30 days; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the applicant or custodian seeks resolution of a dispute under Subtitle 1A or 1B of this title, shall be extended pending resolution of that dispute.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-204" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <text>Except to the extent that the grant of an application is related to the status of the applicant as a person in interest and except as required by other law or regulation, the custodian may not condition the grant of an application on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the identity of the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any organizational or other affiliation of the applicant; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a disclosure by the applicant of the purpose for an application.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not preclude an official custodian from considering the identity of the applicant, any organizational or other affiliation of the applicant, or the purpose for the application if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the applicant chooses to provide this information for the custodian to consider in making a determination under Subtitle 3, Part IV of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicant has requested a waiver of fees under § 4–206(e) of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the identity of the applicant, any organizational or other affiliation of the applicant, or the purpose for the application is material to the determination of the official custodian in accordance with § 4–206(e)(2) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Consistently with this section, an official may request the identity of an applicant for the purpose of contacting the applicant.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-205" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “metadata” means information, generally not visible when an electronic document is printed, describing the history, tracking, or management of the electronic document, including information about data in the electronic document that describes how, when, and by whom the data is collected, created, accessed, or modified and how the data is formatted.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Metadata” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a spreadsheet formula;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a database field;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an externally or internally linked file; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a reference to an external file or a hyperlink.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, if an applicant who is authorized to inspect a public record requests a copy, printout, or photograph of the public record, the custodian shall provide the applicant with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a copy, printout, or photograph of the public record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the custodian does not have facilities to reproduce the public record, access to the public record to make the copy, printout, or photograph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the custodian of a public record shall provide an applicant with a copy of the public record in a searchable and analyzable electronic format if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the public record is in a searchable and analyzable electronic format;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the applicant requests a copy of the public record in a searchable and analyzable electronic format; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the custodian is able to provide a copy of the public record, in whole or in part, in a searchable and analyzable electronic format that does not disclose:</text> <level label="1"> <text>confidential or protected information for which the custodian is required to deny inspection in accordance with Subtitle 3, Parts I through III of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>information for which a custodian has chosen to deny inspection in accordance with Subtitle 3, Part IV of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Department of Assessments and Taxation is not required to provide an applicant with a copy of the public record in a searchable and analyzable electronic format if the State Department of Assessments and Taxation has provided the public record to a contractor that will provide the applicant a copy of the public record in a searchable and analyzable electronic format for a reasonable cost.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A custodian may remove metadata from an electronic document before providing the electronic document to an applicant by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>using a software program or function; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>converting the electronic document into a different searchable and analyzable format.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This subsection may not be construed to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>require the custodian to reconstruct a public record in an electronic format if the custodian no longer has the public record available in an electronic format;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>allow a custodian to make a public record available only in an electronic format;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>require a custodian to create, compile, or program a new public record; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>require a custodian to release an electronic record in a format that would jeopardize or compromise the security or integrity of the original record or of any proprietary software in which the record is maintained.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If a public record exists in a searchable and analyzable electronic format, the act of a custodian providing a portion of the public record in a searchable and analyzable electronic format does not constitute creating a new public record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The copy, printout, or photograph shall be made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>while the public record is in the custody of the custodian; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whenever practicable, where the public record is kept.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The official custodian may set a reasonable time schedule to make copies, printouts, or photographs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-206" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Inspection of Public Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Indigent” means an individual’s family household income is less than 50% of the median family income for the State as reported in the Federal Register.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Reasonable fee” means a fee bearing a reasonable relationship to the recovery of actual costs incurred by a governmental unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the limitations in this section, the official custodian may charge an applicant a reasonable fee for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the search for, preparation of, and reproduction of a public record prepared, on request of the applicant, in a customized format; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the actual costs of the search for, preparation of, and reproduction of a public record in standard format, including media and mechanical processing costs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The staff and attorney review costs included in the calculation of actual costs incurred under this section shall be prorated for each individual’s salary and actual time attributable to the search for and preparation of a public record under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The official custodian may not charge a fee for the first 2 hours that are needed to search for a public record and prepare it for inspection.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If another law sets a fee for a copy, an electronic copy, a printout, or a photograph of a public record, that law applies.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The official custodian may charge for the cost of providing facilities for the reproduction of the public record if the custodian did not have the facilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The official custodian may waive a fee under this section if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the applicant asks for a waiver; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>the applicant is indigent and files an affidavit of indigency; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>after consideration of the ability of the applicant to pay the fee and other relevant factors, the official custodian determines that the waiver would be in the public interest.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If the custodian of a public record for a local school system charges an applicant a fee under subsection (b) of this section, the custodian shall provide written notice to the applicant that the applicant may file a complaint with the Board to contest the fee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-301" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of a public record or any part of a public record if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by law, the public record is privileged or confidential; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the inspection would be contrary to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a State statute;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a federal statute or a regulation that is issued under the statute and has the force of law;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the rules adopted by the Supreme Court of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>an order of a court of record.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an applicant files a complaint with the Ombudsman challenging a denial or the application of an exemption under this subtitle, the custodian shall demonstrate that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the denial or the exemption is clearly applicable to the requested public record; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if inspection is denied under Part IV of this subtitle, the harm from disclosure of the public record is greater than the public interest in access to the information in the public record.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-304" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, a custodian shall deny inspection of a public record, as provided in this part.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-305" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of public records that relate to the adoption of an individual.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-305.1" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a final decree in a divorce proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of a record pertaining to a divorce proceeding, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an application for divorce;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a financial record submitted as part of a divorce proceeding;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a record of a divorce settlement; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a custody order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall release a record pertaining to a divorce proceeding to an applicant who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is a person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is a lawyer representing a person in interest; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>has been authorized under a court order to inspect the record.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-306" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of a hospital record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>relates to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>medical administration;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>staff;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>medical care; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>other medical information; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contains general or specific information about one or more individuals.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-307" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of public records that relate to welfare for an individual.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-308" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall prohibit inspection, use, or disclosure of a circulation record of a public library or any other item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is maintained by a library;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contains an individual’s name or the identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>identifies the use a patron makes of that library’s materials, services, or facilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection, use, or disclosure of a circulation record of a public library only:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in connection with the library’s ordinary business; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for the purposes for which the record was created.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-309" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of library, archival, or museum material given by a person to the extent that the person who made the gift limits disclosure as a condition of the gift.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-310" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of a letter of reference.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-311" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of a personnel record of an individual, including an application, a performance rating, or scholastic achievement information.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an elected or appointed official who supervises the work of the individual; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an employee organization described in Title 6 of the Education Article of the portion of the personnel record that contains the individual’s:</text> <level label="i"> <text>home address;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>home telephone number; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>personal cell phone number.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the following records are not personnel records for the purposes of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a record relating to an administrative or criminal investigation of misconduct by a police officer, including an internal affairs investigatory record;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a hearing record;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a record of positive community feedback that was not solicited by the police officer who is the subject of the feedback; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>records relating to a disciplinary decision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A record of a technical infraction is a personnel record for the purposes of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-312" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) through (e) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of a retirement record for an individual.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by the person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by the appointing authority of the individual;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>after the death of the individual, by a beneficiary, a personal representative, or any other person who satisfies the administrators of the retirement and pension systems that the person has a valid claim to the benefits of the individual;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>by any law enforcement agency to obtain the home address of a retired employee of the agency when contact with the retired employee is documented to be necessary for official agency business; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, by the employees of a county unit that, by county law, is required to audit the retirement records for current or former employees of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The information obtained during an inspection under paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection is confidential.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county unit and its employees may not disclose any information obtained during an inspection under paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection that would identify a person in interest.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow release of information as provided in § 21–504 or § 21–505 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On request, a custodian shall state whether the individual receives a retirement or pension allowance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On written request, a custodian shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>disclose the amount of the part of a retirement allowance that is derived from employer contributions and that is granted to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a retired elected or appointed official of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a retired elected official of a political subdivision; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a retired appointed official of a political subdivision who is a member of a separate system for elected or appointed officials; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disclose the benefit formula and the variables for calculating the retirement allowance of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a current elected or appointed official of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a current elected official of a political subdivision; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a current appointed official of a political subdivision who is a member of a separate system for elected or appointed officials.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to Anne Arundel County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On written request, a custodian of retirement records shall disclose:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the total amount of the part of a pension or retirement allowance that is derived from employer contributions and that is granted to a retired elected or appointed official of the county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the total amount of the part of a pension or retirement allowance that is derived from employee contributions and that is granted to a retired elected or appointed official of the county if the retired elected or appointed official consents to the disclosure;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the benefit formula and the variables for calculating the retirement allowance of a current elected or appointed official of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the amount of the employee contributions plus interest attributable to a current elected or appointed official of the county if the current elected or appointed official consents to the disclosure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A custodian of retirement records shall maintain a list of those elected or appointed officials of the county who have consented to the disclosure of information under paragraph (2)(ii) or (iv) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-313" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of a school district record about the home address, telephone number, personal e–mail address, biography, family, physiology, religion, academic achievement, or physical or mental ability of a student.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person in interest; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an elected or appointed official who supervises the student.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A custodian may allow inspection of the home address, telephone number, or personal e–mail address of a student of a public school by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an organization of parents, teachers, students, or former students, or any combination of those groups, of the school;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an organization or a force of the military;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a person engaged by a school or board of education to confirm a home address or home telephone number;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a representative of a community college in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Maryland Higher Education Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Higher Education Commission or a person, an organization, or a community college that obtains information under this subsection may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>use this information for a commercial purpose; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disclose this information to another person, organization, or community college.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>When a custodian allows inspection under this subsection, the custodian shall notify the Maryland Higher Education Commission, person, organization, or community college of the prohibitions under paragraph (2) of this subsection regarding use and disclosure of this information.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-314" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of any record disclosing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of an account holder or a qualified beneficiary of a prepaid contract under Title 18, Subtitle 19 of the Education Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the name of an account holder or a qualified designated beneficiary of an investment account under Title 18, Subtitle 19A of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall allow inspection by a person in interest; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may release information to an eligible institution of higher education designated:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by an account holder of a prepaid contract or a qualified beneficiary under Title 18, Subtitle 19 of the Education Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by an account holder or a qualified designated beneficiary under Title 18, Subtitle 19A of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-314.1" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of any record disclosing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a safety evaluation or school emergency plan developed under § 7–1510 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an emergency response policy developed under § 7–1509 of the Education Article and § 3–520 of the Public Safety Article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>guidelines for school resource officers and supplemental coverage by local law enforcement agencies developed by the Maryland Center for School Safety under § 7–1508 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a plan to implement the Maryland Center for School Safety’s guidelines adopted by a local school system under § 7–1508 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>any school mapping data produced under the School Mapping Data Program in accordance with § 7–1510.1 of the Education Article; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>information and materials related to the anonymous reporting system developed under § 7–1514 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of safety evaluation, school emergency plan, and emergency response policy records by the following entities in the performance of the entity’s official duties:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland Center for School Safety;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Interagency Commission on School Construction;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Department of State Police;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Maryland Department of Emergency Management;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>local law enforcement agencies; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>local organizations for emergency management.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-315" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to public records that relate to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>police reports of traffic accidents;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>criminal charging documents before service on the defendant named in the document; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>traffic citations filed in the Maryland Automated Traffic System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of a record described in subsection (a) of this section to any of the following persons who request inspection of records to solicit or market legal services:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an attorney who is not an attorney of record of a person named in the record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a person who is employed by, retained by, associated with, or acting on behalf of an attorney described in this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-316" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and subject to subsection (e) of this section, unless otherwise ordered by the court, files and records of the court pertaining to an arrest warrant issued under Maryland Rule 4–212(d)(1) or (2) and the charging document on which the arrest warrant was issued may not be open to inspection until:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the arrest warrant has been served and a return of service has been filed in accordance with Maryland Rule 4–212(g); or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>90 days have elapsed since the arrest warrant was issued.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and subject to subsection (e) of this section, unless otherwise ordered by the court, files and records of the court pertaining to an arrest warrant issued in accordance with a grand jury indictment or conspiracy investigation and the charging document on which the arrest warrant was issued may not be open to inspection until all arrest warrants for any co–conspirators have been served and all returns of service have been filed in accordance with Maryland Rule 4–212(g).</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, unless sealed under Maryland Rule 4–201(d), the files and records shall be open to inspection.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The name, address, birth date, driver’s license number, sex, height, and weight of an individual contained in an arrest warrant issued under Maryland Rule 4–212(d)(1) or (2) or issued in accordance with a grand jury indictment or conspiracy investigation may be released to the Motor Vehicle Administration for use by the Administration for purposes of § 13–406.1 or § 16–204 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, information in a charging document that identifies an individual may not be released to the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Subsections (a) and (b) of this section may not be construed to prohibit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the release of statistical information concerning unserved arrest warrants;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the release of information by a State’s Attorney or peace officer concerning an unserved arrest warrant and the charging document on which the arrest warrant was issued;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>inspection of files and records of a court concerning an unserved arrest warrant and the charging document on which the arrest warrant was issued by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a judicial officer;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any authorized court personnel;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a State’s Attorney;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a peace officer;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a correctional officer who is authorized by law to serve an arrest warrant;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a bail bondsman, surety insurer, or surety who executes bail bonds who executed a bail bond for the individual who is subject to arrest under the arrest warrant;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>an attorney authorized by the individual who is subject to arrest under the arrest warrant;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>the Department of Juvenile Services; or</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>a federal, State, or local criminal justice agency described under Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the Criminal Procedure Article; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the release of information by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services or the Department of Juvenile Services to notify a victim under § 11–507 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-317" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to § 8–704.1 of the Natural Resources Article and subsection (b) of this section, a custodian may not knowingly disclose a public record of the Department of Natural Resources containing personal information about the owner of a registered vessel.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall disclose personal information about the owner of a registered vessel for use in the normal course of business activity by a financial institution, as defined in § 1–101(i) of the Financial Institutions Article, its agents, employees, or contractors, but only:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to that financial institution; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the information submitted is not accurate, to obtain correct information only for the purpose of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>preventing fraud by the individual;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>pursuing legal remedies against the individual; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-318" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of all records of persons created, generated, or obtained by, or submitted to, the Maryland Transit Administration or its agents or employees in connection with the use or purchase of electronic fare media provided by the Maryland Transit Administration or its agents, employees, or contractors.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of the records described in subsection (a) of this section by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an individual named in the record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the attorney of record of an individual named in the record.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-319" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of every record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a photograph, a videotape, or an electronically recorded image of a vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a vehicle movement record;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>personal financial information;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a credit report;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>other personal information; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>other financial information; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has been created, recorded, or obtained by, or submitted to, the Maryland Transportation Authority or its agents or employees for or about an electronic toll collection system or associated transaction system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of the records described in subsection (a) of this section by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an individual named in the record;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the attorney of record of an individual named in the record;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an employee or agent of the Maryland Transportation Authority in any investigation or proceeding relating to a violation of speed limitations or to the imposition of or indemnification from liability for failure to pay a toll in connection with any electronic toll collection system;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an employee or agent of a third party that has entered into an agreement with the Maryland Transportation Authority to use an electronic toll collection system for nontoll applications in the collection of revenues due to the third party; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>an employee or agent of an entity in another state operating or having jurisdiction over a toll facility.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-320" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “telephone solicitation” means the initiation of a telephone call to an individual or to the residence or business of an individual to encourage the purchase or rental of or investment in property, goods, or services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Telephone solicitation” does not include a telephone call or message:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to an individual who has given express permission to the person making the telephone call;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to an individual with whom the person has an established business relationship; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>by a tax–exempt, nonprofit organization.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (c) through (f) of this section, and subject to § 4–320.1 of this subtitle, a custodian may not knowingly disclose a public record of the Motor Vehicle Administration containing personal information.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall disclose personal information when required by federal law.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to the disclosure of personal information for any use in response to a request for an individual motor vehicle record.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The custodian may not disclose personal information without written consent from the person in interest.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>At any time the person in interest may withdraw consent to disclose personal information by notifying the custodian.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The withdrawal by the person in interest of consent to disclose personal information shall take effect as soon as practicable after it is received by the custodian.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to the disclosure of personal information for inclusion in lists of information to be used for surveys, marketing, and solicitations.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The custodian may not disclose personal information for surveys, marketing, and solicitations without written consent from the person in interest.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>At any time the person in interest may withdraw consent to disclose personal information by notifying the custodian.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The withdrawal by the person in interest of consent to disclose personal information shall take effect as soon as practicable after it is received by the custodian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The custodian may not disclose personal information under this subsection for use in telephone solicitations.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Personal information disclosed under this subsection may be used only for surveys, marketing, or solicitations and only for a purpose approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (e) of this section, and subject to § 4–320.1 of this subtitle, a custodian shall disclose personal information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for use by a federal, state, or local government, including a law enforcement agency, or a court in carrying out its functions;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for use in connection with matters of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>motor vehicle or driver safety;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>motor vehicle theft;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>motor vehicle emissions;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>performance monitoring of motor vehicle parts and dealers; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>removal of nonowner records from the original records of motor vehicle manufacturers;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>for use by a private detective agency licensed by the Secretary of State Police under Title 13 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article or a security guard service licensed by the Secretary of State Police under Title 19 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article for a purpose allowed under this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>for use in connection with a civil, an administrative, an arbitral, or a criminal proceeding in a federal, state, or local court or regulatory agency for service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and execution or enforcement of judgments or orders;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>for purposes of research or statistical reporting as approved by the Motor Vehicle Administration provided that the personal information is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact the individual;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>for use by an insurer, an insurance support organization, or a self–insured entity, or its employees, agents, or contractors, in connection with rating, underwriting, claims investigating, and antifraud activities;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>for use in the normal course of business activity by a legitimate business entity or its agents, employees, or contractors, but only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to verify the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to that entity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the information submitted is not accurate, to obtain correct information only for the purpose of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>preventing fraud by the individual;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pursuing legal remedies against the individual; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>recovering on a debt or security interest against the individual;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>for use by an employer or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a commercial driver’s license that is required under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. § 31101 et seq.);</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>for use in connection with the operation of a private toll transportation facility;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>for use in providing notice to the owner of a towed or impounded motor vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>for use by an applicant who provides written consent from the individual to whom the information pertains if the consent is obtained within the 6–month period before the date of the request for personal information;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>for use in any matter relating to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the operation of a Class B (for hire), Class C (funeral and ambulance), or Class Q (limousine) vehicle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>public safety or the treatment by the operator of a member of the public;</text> </level> </level> <level label="13"> <text>for a use specifically authorized by State law, if the use is related to the operation of a motor vehicle or public safety;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>for use by a hospital to obtain, for hospital security, information relating to ownership of vehicles parked on hospital property;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>for use by a procurement organization requesting information under § 4–516 of the Estates and Trusts Article for the purposes of organ, tissue, and eye donation;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>for use by an electric company, as defined in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article, but only:</text> <level label="i"> <text>information describing a plug–in electric drive vehicle, as defined in § 11–145.1 of the Transportation Article, and identifying the address of the registered owner of the plug–in vehicle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for use in planning for the availability and reliability of the electric power supply; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if the information is not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>published or redisclosed, including redisclosed to an affiliate as defined in § 7–501 of the Public Utilities Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>used for marketing or solicitation; and</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="17"> <text>for use by an attorney, a title insurance producer, or any other individual authorized to conduct a title search of a manufactured home under Title 8B of the Real Property Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>A person receiving personal information under subsection (e) or (f) of this section may not use or redisclose the personal information for a purpose other than the purpose for which the custodian disclosed the personal information.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person receiving personal information under subsection (d), (e), or (f) of this section may not disclose the personal information to a person or government agency for the purpose of immigration enforcement unless the person is presented with a valid warrant issued by a federal court or a court of this State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person receiving personal information under subsection (e) or (f) of this section who rediscloses the personal information shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>keep a record for 5 years of the person to whom the information is redisclosed and the purpose for which the information is to be used; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>make the record available to the custodian on request.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The custodian shall adopt regulations to implement and enforce this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The custodian shall adopt regulations and procedures for securing from a person in interest a waiver of privacy rights under this section when an applicant requests personal information about the person in interest that the custodian is not authorized to disclose under subsections (c) through (f) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The regulations and procedures adopted under this paragraph shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>state the circumstances under which the custodian may request a waiver; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conform with the waiver requirements in the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 and other federal law.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The custodian may develop and implement methods for monitoring compliance with this section and ensuring that personal information is used only for the purposes for which it is disclosed.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-320.1" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “facial recognition” means a biometric software application that identifies or verifies a person by comparing and analyzing patterns based on a person’s facial contours.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall take reasonable steps to determine whether a person seeking access to a public record is doing so for the purpose of enforcing immigration law.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains personal information or inspection of a photograph of an individual by any person seeking access for the purpose of enforcing immigration law, unless the custodian is provided with a valid warrant issued by a federal court or a court of this State that particularly describes the record to be accessed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this title a custodian shall deny inspection using a facial recognition search of a digital photographic image or actual stored data of a digital photographic image by any person seeking access for the purpose of enforcing immigration law, unless the custodian is provided with a valid warrant issued by a federal court or a court of this State that particularly describes the record to be accessed.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before June 1, 2023, and each June 1 thereafter, the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall, with respect to requests from government agencies seeking access for the purpose of immigration enforcement for personal information, a photograph of an individual, or a facial recognition search, whether or not the request was initiated through a State or local law enforcement agency, report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the following information for the immediately preceding calendar year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the number of requests received from any government agency for personal information, a photograph of an individual, or a facial recognition search;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the number of requests received from any government agency for personal information, a photograph of an individual, or a facial recognition search for which a valid warrant issued by a federal court or a court of this State was provided;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the number and purpose of facial recognition searches completed for any government agency based on personal information or a photograph of an individual provided to the government agency by the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Department of State Police, or the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the number of individuals whose personal information or photograph was provided to any government agency by, respectively, the Motor Vehicle Administration, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Motor Vehicle Administration, the Department of State Police, and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services shall adopt regulations and procedures to implement, enforce, and ensure compliance with this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-321" future_version_removed="true" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “recorded image” or “recorded images” has the meaning stated in § 21–202.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–810.1, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of recorded images produced by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a traffic control signal monitoring system operated under § 21–202.1 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an automated railroad grade crossing enforcement system operated under § 21–704.1 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a school bus monitoring camera operated under § 21–706.1 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a stop sign monitoring system operated under § 21–707.1 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a speed monitoring system operated under § 21–809 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a work zone speed control system operated under § 21–810 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>a safety corridor speed monitoring system operated under § 21–810.1 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>a bus lane monitoring system operated under § 21–1134 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>a noise abatement monitoring system operated under § 22–612 of the Transportation Article; or</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>a vehicle height monitoring system operated under § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of recorded images:</text> <level label="1"> <text>as required in § 12–113.1, § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–810.1, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by any person issued a citation under § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–810.1, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article, or by an attorney of record for the person; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by an employee or agent of an agency in an investigation or a proceeding relating to the imposition of or indemnification from civil liability under § 21–202.1, § 21–704.1, § 21–706.1, § 21–707.1, § 21–809, § 21–810, § 21–810.1, § 21–1134, § 22–612, or § 24–111.3 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-322" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “surveillance image” has the meaning stated in § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian of a surveillance image shall deny inspection of the surveillance image.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of a surveillance image:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by any person issued a citation under § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article, or by an attorney of record for the person; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by an employee or agent of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development in an investigation or a proceeding relating to the imposition of or indemnification from civil liability under § 10–112 of the Criminal Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development may publicly disseminate a surveillance image as part of an investigation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-323" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>Subject to § 4–310 of the Insurance Article, a custodian shall deny inspection of all risk based capital reports and risk based capital plans and any other records that relate to those reports or plans.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-324" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of an application for renewable energy credit certification or a claim for renewable energy credits under Title 10, Subtitle 15 of the Agriculture Article.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-325" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of all records of a person authorized to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>sell, purchase, rent, or transfer a regulated firearm under Title 5, Subtitle 1 of the Public Safety Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>carry, wear, or transport a handgun under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of firearm or handgun records by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the individual named in the record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the attorney of record of the individual named in the record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to prohibit the Department of State Police or the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services from accessing firearm or handgun records in the performance of that department’s official duty.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-326" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Automatic license plate reader system” has the meaning stated in § 3–509 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Captured plate data” has the meaning stated in § 3–509 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, a custodian of captured plate data collected by an automatic license plate reader system shall deny inspection of the captured plate data.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian may use or share captured plate data in the course of the custodian’s duties as authorized under § 3–509 of the Public Safety Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to an electronic toll collection system or associated transaction system operated by or in conjunction with the Maryland Transportation Authority.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-327" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of criminal records and police records relating to the conviction of a crime that have been shielded under Title 10, Subtitle 3 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of shielded records by a person authorized to access shielded records under § 10–302(b) of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-328" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, a custodian shall deny inspection of a part of a public record, as provided in this part.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-329" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for subsection (b)(3) of this section, this section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a nursing home as defined in § 19–1401 of the Health – General Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an assisted living program as defined in § 19–1801 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains:</text> <level label="1"> <text>medical or psychological information about an individual, other than an autopsy report of a medical examiner;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>personal information about an individual with, or perceived to have, a disability as defined in § 20–701 of the State Government Article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any report on human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome submitted in accordance with Title 18 of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow the person in interest to inspect the public record to the extent allowed under § 4–304(a) of the Health – General Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-330" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>If the official custodian has adopted rules or regulations that define sociological information for purposes of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains sociological information, in accordance with the rules or regulations.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-331" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>Subject to § 21–504 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains the home address, personal telephone number, or personal e–mail address of an employee of a unit or an instrumentality of the State or of a political subdivision unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the employee gives permission for the inspection; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the unit or instrumentality that employs the individual determines that inspection is needed to protect the public interest.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-332" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) through (e) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information about the application and commission of a person as a notary public.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of the part of a public record that gives:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the notary public;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the notary public’s business address or, if a business address is not provided to the custodian by the notary public, the notary public’s home address;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the notary public’s business telephone number or, if a business telephone number is not provided to the custodian by the notary public, the notary public’s home telephone number;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the notary public’s business e–mail address or, if a business e–mail address is not provided to the custodian by the notary public, the notary public’s personal e–mail address;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the issue and expiration dates of the notary public’s commission;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the date the person took the oath of office as a notary public; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the signature of the notary public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian may allow inspection of other information about a notary public if the custodian finds a compelling public purpose.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of a record by a notary public or any other person in interest only to the extent that the inspection could:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interfere with a valid and proper law enforcement proceeding;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>deprive another person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>disclose the identity of a confidential source;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>disclose an investigative technique or procedure;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>prejudice an investigation; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A custodian who sells lists of notaries public shall omit from the lists the name of any notary public, on written request of the notary public.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-333" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) through (d) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contains information about the licensing of an individual in an occupation or a profession;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contains the name or other identifying information of an individual related to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>except as provided in subsection (b)(9) of this section, an ambulatory surgical facility licensed under § 19–3B–01 of the Health – General Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a surgical abortion facility licensed under COMAR 10.12.01; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>relates to an investigation of a licensee or certificate holder regarding the provision of legally protected health care, as defined in § 4–301 of the Health – General Article, pending a final order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of the part of a public record that gives:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>subject to item (ii) of this item, the business address of the licensee or, if the business address is not available, the home address of the licensee after the custodian redacts any information that identifies the location as the home address of an individual with a disability as defined in § 20–701 of the State Government Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the licensee is licensed by a health occupations board, the business address of the licensee;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the business telephone number of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the business e–mail address of the licensee if the e–mail address is identified by the licensee as a business e–mail address;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the educational and occupational background of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the professional qualifications of the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>any orders and findings that result from formal disciplinary actions;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>any evidence that has been provided to the custodian to meet the requirements of a statute as to financial responsibility; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>for an ambulatory surgical facility licensed under § 19–3B–01 of the Health – General Article, the owner, primary contact, attorney, or consultant contained in an application to the Maryland Health Care Commission for a certificate of need or certificate of need exception or determination request.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian may allow inspection of other information about a licensee if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the custodian finds a compelling public purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the rules or regulations of the official custodian allow the inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by this section or other law, a custodian shall allow inspection by the person in interest.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A custodian who sells lists of licensees shall omit from the lists the name of any licensee, on written request of the licensee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-334" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of an application for a marriage license under § 2–402 of the Family Law Article or a recreational license under Title 4 of the Natural Resources Article that contains a Social Security number.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of the part of an application described in subsection (a) of this section that contains a Social Security number by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a person in interest; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>on request, the State Child Support Administration.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-335" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains any of the following information provided by or obtained from any person or governmental unit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a trade secret;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>confidential commercial information;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>confidential financial information; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>confidential geological or geophysical information.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-336" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to the salary of a public employee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information about the finances of an individual, including assets, income, liabilities, net worth, bank balances, financial history or activities, or creditworthiness.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by the person in interest.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-337" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>generated by the bid analysis management system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>concerning an investigation of a transportation contractor’s suspected collusive or anticompetitive activity; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>submitted to the Maryland Department of Transportation by the United States Department of Transportation or by another state.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-338" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Community sewerage system” has the meaning stated in § 9–501 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Community water system” has the meaning stated in § 9–401 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Critical infrastructure” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Critical infrastructure” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a community sewerage system; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a community water system.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Operational technology” has the meaning stated in § 9–2701 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information about the security of an information system, operational technology, or critical infrastructure, including any records of a community water system or community sewerage system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-339" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that identifies or contains personal information about a person, including a commercial entity, that maintains an alarm or security system.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an alarm or security system company if the company can document that it currently provides alarm or security services to the person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>law enforcement personnel; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>emergency services personnel, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a career firefighter;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an emergency medical services provider, as defined in § 13–516 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a rescue squad employee; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a volunteer firefighter, a rescue squad member, or an advanced life support unit member.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-340" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>“Senior citizen activities center” has the meaning stated in § 10–513 of the Human Services Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian shall deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains the name, address, telephone number, or electronic mail address of any individual enrolled in or any member of a senior citizen activities center.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>law enforcement personnel; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>emergency services personnel, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a career firefighter;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an emergency medical services provider, as defined in § 13–516 of the Education Article;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a rescue squad employee; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a volunteer firefighter, a rescue squad member, or an advanced life support unit member.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-341" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “governmental entity” means a unit or an instrumentality of the State or of a political subdivision.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian shall deny inspection of a distribution list and a request to be added to a distribution list that identifies a physical address, an e–mail address, or a telephone number of an individual that is used by a governmental entity or an elected official for the sole purpose of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>periodically sending news about the official activities of the governmental entity or elected official; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sending informational notices or emergency alerts.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-343" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, if a custodian believes that inspection of a part of a public record by the applicant would be contrary to the public interest, the custodian may deny inspection by the applicant of that part of the record, as provided in this part.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-344" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of any part of an interagency or intra–agency letter or memorandum that would not be available by law to a private party in litigation with the unit.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-345" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian may deny inspection of test questions, scoring keys, and other examination information that relates to the administration of licenses, employment, or academic matters.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>After a written promotional examination has been given and graded, a custodian shall allow a person in interest to inspect the examination and the results of the examination, but may not allow the person in interest to copy or otherwise to reproduce the examination.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-346" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian may deny inspection of a public record that contains the specific details of a research project that an institution of the State or of a political subdivision is conducting.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of the part of a public record that gives only the name, title, and expenditures of a research project described in subsection (a) of this section and the date when the final project summary of the research project will be available.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-347" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a custodian may deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information disclosing or relating to an invention owned in whole or in part by a State public institution of higher education for 4 years to allow the institution to evaluate whether to patent or market the invention and pursue economic development and licensing opportunities related to the invention.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of a part of a public record described in subsection (a) of this section if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the information disclosing or relating to an invention has been published or disseminated by the inventors in the course of their academic activities or disclosed in a published patent;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the invention referred to in that part of the record has been licensed by the institution for at least 4 years; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>4 years have elapsed from the date of the written disclosure of the invention to the institution.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-348" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of the part of a public record that contains information disclosing or relating to a trade secret, confidential commercial information, or confidential financial information owned in whole or in part by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland Technology Development Corporation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a public institution of higher education, if the information is part of the institution’s activities under § 15–107 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-349" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section and other law, until the State or a political subdivision acquires title to property, a custodian may deny inspection of a public record that contains a real estate appraisal of the property.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection by the owner of the property.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-350" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of a public record that contains information concerning the site–specific location of an endangered or threatened species of plant or animal, a species of plant or animal in need of conservation, a cave, or a historic property as defined in § 5A–301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of a public record described in subsection (a) of this section if requested by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the owner of the land on which the resource is located; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any entity that is authorized to take the land through the right of eminent domain.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-351" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section, a custodian may deny inspection of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>records of investigations conducted by the Attorney General, a State’s Attorney, a municipal or county attorney, a police department, or a sheriff;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an investigatory file compiled for any other law enforcement, judicial, correctional, or prosecution purpose;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>records that contain intelligence information or security procedures of the Attorney General, a State’s Attorney, a municipal or county attorney, a police department, a State or local correctional facility, or a sheriff; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>records, other than a record of a technical infraction, relating to an administrative or criminal investigation of misconduct by a police officer, including an internal affairs investigatory record, a hearing record, a record of positive community feedback, and records relating to a disciplinary decision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection by a person in interest only to the extent that the inspection would:</text> <level label="1"> <text>interfere with a valid and proper law enforcement proceeding;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>deprive another person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>disclose the identity of a confidential source;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>disclose an investigative technique or procedure;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>prejudice an investigation; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection of a record described in subsection (a)(4) of this section by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the United States Attorney;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the State Prosecutor; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the State’s Attorney for the jurisdiction relevant to the record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a custodian:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall redact the portions of a record described in subsection (a)(4) of this section to the extent that the record reflects:</text> <level label="i"> <text>medical information of the person in interest;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>personal contact information of the person in interest or a witness; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>information relating to the family of the person in interest; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may redact the portion of a record described in subsection (a)(4) of this section to the extent that the record reflects witness information other than personal contact information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A custodian shall notify the person in interest of a record described in subsection (a)(4) of this section when the record is inspected, but may not disclose the identity of the requestor to the person in interest.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-352" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a custodian may deny inspection of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>response procedures or plans prepared to prevent or respond to emergency situations, the disclosure of which would reveal vulnerability assessments, specific tactics, specific emergency procedures, or specific security procedures;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>building plans, blueprints, schematic drawings, diagrams, operational manuals, or any other records of ports and airports and any other mass transit facilities, bridges, tunnels, emergency response facilities or structures, buildings where hazardous materials are stored, arenas, stadiums, waste and water systems, and any other building, structure, or facility, the disclosure of which would reveal the building’s, structure’s, or facility’s internal layout, specific location, life, safety, and support systems, structural elements, surveillance techniques, alarm or security systems or technologies, operational and transportation plans or protocols, or personnel deployments; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>records of any other building, structure, or facility, the disclosure of which would reveal the building’s, structure’s, or facility’s life, safety, and support systems, surveillance techniques, alarm or security systems or technologies, operational and evacuation plans or protocols, or personnel deployments; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>records that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are prepared to prevent or respond to emergency situations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>identify or describe the name, location, pharmaceutical cache, contents, capacity, equipment, physical features, or capabilities of individual medical facilities, storage facilities, or laboratories.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The custodian may deny inspection of a part of a public record under subsection (a) of this section only to the extent that the inspection would:</text> <level label="1"> <text>jeopardize the security of any building, structure, or facility;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>facilitate the planning of a terrorist attack; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to the records of any building, structure, or facility owned or operated by the State or any political subdivision.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of a public record under subsection (a) or (b) of this section that relates to a building, structure, or facility that has been subjected to a catastrophic event, including a fire, an explosion, or a natural disaster.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a custodian may not deny inspection of a public record that relates to an inspection of or issuance of a citation concerning a building, structure, or facility by an agency of the State or any political subdivision.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-353" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of any part of a public record that contains:</text> <level label="1"> <text>stevedoring or terminal services or facility use rates or proposed rates generated, received, or negotiated by the Maryland Port Administration or any private operating company created by the Maryland Port Administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a proposal generated, received, or negotiated by the Maryland Port Administration or any private operating company created by the Maryland Port Administration for use of stevedoring or terminal services or facilities to increase waterborne commerce through the ports of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, research or analysis related to maritime businesses or vessels compiled for the Maryland Port Administration or any private operating company created by the Maryland Port Administration to evaluate its competitive position with respect to other ports.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of any part of a public record under subsection (a)(3) of this section by the exclusive representative identified in Section 1 of the memorandum of understanding, or any identical section of a successor memorandum, between the State and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees dated June 28, 2000, or the memorandum of understanding, or any identical section of a successor memorandum, between the State and the Maryland Professional Employees Council dated August 18, 2000, if the part of the public record:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is related to State employees; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>would otherwise be available to the exclusive representative under Article 4, Section 12 of the applicable memorandum of understanding, or any identical section of a successor memorandum of understanding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the inspection of any part of a public record under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the exclusive representative shall enter into a nondisclosure agreement with the Maryland Port Administration to ensure the confidentiality of the information provided.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-354" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>A custodian may deny inspection of any part of a public record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>relates to the competitive position of the University of Maryland Global Campus with respect to other providers of education services; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contains:</text> <level label="i"> <text>fees, tuition, charges, and any information supporting fees, tuition, and charges, proposed, generated, received, or negotiated for receipt by the University of Maryland Global Campus, except fees, tuition, and charges published in catalogues and ordinarily charged to students;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a proposal generated, received, or negotiated by the University of Maryland Global Campus, other than with its students, for the provision of education services; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any research, analysis, or plans compiled by or for the University of Maryland Global Campus relating to its operations or proposed operations.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian may not deny inspection of any part of a public record under subsection (a) of this section if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the record relates to a procurement by the University of Maryland Global Campus;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the University of Maryland Global Campus is required to develop or maintain the record by law or at the direction of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>the record is requested by the exclusive representative of any bargaining unit of employees of the University of Maryland Global Campus;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the record relates to a matter that is the subject of collective bargaining negotiations between the exclusive representative and the University of Maryland Global Campus; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the exclusive representative has entered into a nondisclosure agreement with the University of Maryland Global Campus to ensure the confidentiality of the information provided.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-355" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Directory information” has the meaning stated in 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Personal information” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an address;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a telephone number;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an e–mail address; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>directory information.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A custodian of a record kept by a public institution of higher education that contains personal information relating to a student, a former student, or an applicant may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require that a request to inspect a record containing personal information be made in writing and sent by first–class mail; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>deny inspection of the part of the record containing the personal information if the information is requested for commercial purposes.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-356" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Victim” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a victim of domestic violence, as defined under § 4–701 of the Family Law Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a victim of a violation of Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Criminal Law Article; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a victim of a violation of Title 3, Subtitle 6 of the Criminal Law Article, except for a violation of § 3–607 of the Criminal Law Article where the victim is an adult.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Victim’s representative” has the meaning stated in § 11–104 of the Criminal Procedure Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Victim’s representative” does not include a person acting in concert with a person alleged to have committed the crime against the victim.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This section does not apply to a public record that has been entered into evidence in a court proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section may not be construed to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>create a right of civil action for a victim or victim’s representative; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>affect the discovery or evidentiary rights of a party to a civil suit or criminal prosecution.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section, before granting inspection of the part of a 9–1–1 communications record that depicts a victim, a custodian shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>within 30 days after receiving the request and if the custodian has contact information for the victim or victim’s representative, notify the victim or victim’s representative of the request;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>allow 10 days for a response from the victim or victim’s representative indicating that inspection may be contrary to the public interest; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>consider any response received under item (2) of this subsection in determining whether to grant or deny the inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A custodian may redact the information described under subsection (c) of this section if a failure to do so would result in a constructive denial of the entire public record.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A custodian shall allow inspection by the person in interest.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-358" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever this title authorizes inspection of a public record but the official custodian believes that inspection would cause substantial injury to the public interest, the official custodian may deny inspection temporarily.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 10 working days after the denial, the official custodian shall petition a court to order authorization for the continued denial of inspection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The petition shall be filed with the circuit court for the county where:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the public record is located; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the principal place of business of the official custodian is located.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The petition shall be served on the applicant, as provided in the Maryland Rules.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The applicant is entitled to appear and to be heard on the petition.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If, after the hearing, the court finds that inspection of the public record would cause substantial injury to the public interest, the court may issue an appropriate order authorizing the continued denial of inspection.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-362" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Denials of Inspection"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, whenever a person or governmental unit is denied inspection of a public record or is not provided with a copy, printout, or photograph of a public record as requested, the person or governmental unit may file a complaint with the circuit court.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in Subtitle 1A of this title and subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, an applicant, a complainant, or a custodian may appeal to the circuit court a decision issued by the State Public Information Act Compliance Board as provided under § 4–1A–10 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A complaint or an appeal under this subsection shall be filed with the circuit court for the county where:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for appeals of decisions by the Board issued in accordance with the Board’s authority under § 4–1A–04(b) of this title, the applicant resides or has a principal place of business;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the complainant resides or has a principal place of business; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the public record is located.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless, for good cause shown, the court otherwise directs, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the defendant shall serve an answer or otherwise plead to the complaint within 30 days after service of the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The defendant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has the burden of sustaining a decision to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>deny inspection of a public record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>deny the person or governmental unit a copy, printout, or photograph of a public record; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in support of the decision, may submit a memorandum to the court.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except for cases that the court considers of greater importance, a proceeding under this section, including an appeal, shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>take precedence on the docket;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>be heard at the earliest practicable date; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>be expedited in every way.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may examine the public record in camera to determine whether any part of the public record may be withheld under this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The court may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>enjoin the State, a political subdivision, or a unit, an official, or an employee of the State or of a political subdivision from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>withholding the public record; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>withholding a copy, printout, or photograph of the public record;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue an order for the production of the public record or a copy, printout, or photograph of the public record that was withheld from the complainant; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>for noncompliance with the order, punish the responsible employee for contempt.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A defendant governmental unit is liable to the complainant for statutory damages and actual damages that the court considers appropriate if the court finds that any defendant knowingly and willfully failed to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>disclose or fully to disclose a public record that the complainant was entitled to inspect under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide a copy, printout, or photograph of a public record that the complainant requested under § 4–205 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An official custodian is liable for actual damages that the court considers appropriate if the court finds that, after temporarily denying inspection of a public record, the official custodian failed to petition a court for an order to continue the denial.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Statutory damages imposed by the court under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not exceed $1,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever the court orders the production of a public record or a copy, printout, or photograph of a public record that was withheld from the applicant and, in addition, finds that the custodian acted arbitrarily or capriciously in withholding the public record or the copy, printout, or photograph of the public record, the court shall send a certified copy of its finding to the appointing authority of the custodian.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On receipt of the statement of the court and after an appropriate investigation, the appointing authority shall take the disciplinary action that the circumstances warrant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If the court determines that the complainant has substantially prevailed, the court may assess against a defendant governmental unit reasonable counsel fees and other litigation costs that the complainant reasonably incurred.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Notwithstanding § 12–302(a) of the Courts Article, a party who is aggrieved by a final judgment of a circuit court in a judicial review proceeding under subsection (a)(2) of this section may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland in the manner that law provides for appeal of civil cases.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-401" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Liability; Prohibited Acts; Penalties; Immunity"> <level label="a"> <text>A person, including an officer or employee of a governmental unit, is liable to an individual for actual damages that the court considers appropriate if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>the person willfully and knowingly allows inspection or use of a public record in violation of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the public record names or, with reasonable certainty, otherwise identifies the individual by an identifying factor such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an address;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a description;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a fingerprint or voice print;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a number; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a picture; or</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person willfully and knowingly obtains, discloses, or uses personal information in violation of § 4–320 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the court determines that the complainant has substantially prevailed, the court may assess against a defendant reasonable counsel fees and other litigation costs that the complainant reasonably incurred.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-402" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Liability; Prohibited Acts; Penalties; Immunity"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>willfully or knowingly violate any provision of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fail to petition a court after temporarily denying inspection of a public record; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by false pretenses, bribery, or theft, gain access to or obtain a copy of a personal record if disclosure of the personal record to the person is prohibited by this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-403" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Liability; Prohibited Acts; Penalties; Immunity"> <text>A custodian is not civilly or criminally liable for transferring or disclosing the contents of a public record to the Attorney General under § 5–313 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-501" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “personal record” means a public record that names or, with reasonable certainty, otherwise identifies an individual by an identifying factor such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an address;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a description;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a fingerprint or voice print;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a number; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a picture.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Personal records may not be created unless the need for the information has been clearly established by the unit collecting the records.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Personal information collected for personal records:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be appropriate and relevant to the legitimate government purpose for which it is collected;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall be limited to the minimum amount of personal information necessary to accomplish the legitimate government purpose for which it was collected;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>shall be accurate and current to the greatest extent practicable;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>shall not be retained for longer than is reasonably necessary to fulfill the legitimate government purpose for which it was collected;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>in accordance with the unit’s retention schedule or as allowed by law, shall be securely deleted or de–identified when no longer needed to fulfill the legitimate government purpose for which it was collected; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>may not be obtained by fraudulent means.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to units of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, an official custodian who keeps personal records shall collect, to the greatest extent practicable, personal information from the person in interest.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An official custodian who requests personal information for personal records shall provide the following information to each person in interest from whom personal information is collected:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the legitimate government purpose for which the personal information is collected;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any specific consequences to the person for refusal to provide the personal information;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the person’s right to inspect, amend, or correct personal records, if any;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>whether the personal information is generally available for public inspection; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>whether the personal information is made available or transferred to or shared with any entity other than the official custodian.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Each unit of the State shall post a privacy notice and its privacy policies on the collection of personal information, including the policies specified in this subsection, on its Internet website.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The privacy notice and privacy policies posted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be consistent with the guidelines, standards, and policies issued by the Department of Information Technology under § 3.5–319 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The following personal records are exempt from the requirements of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>information concerning the enforcement of criminal laws or the administration of the penal system;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>information contained in investigative materials kept for the purpose of investigating a specific violation of State law and maintained by a State agency whose principal function may be other than law enforcement;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>information contained in public records that are accepted by the State Archivist for deposit in the Maryland Hall of Records;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>information gathered as part of formal research projects previously reviewed and approved by federally mandated institutional review boards;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>information contained in application or renewal materials relating to the licensing, registration, or certification of an individual for an occupation or profession; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>any other personal records exempted by regulations adopted by the Secretary of Budget and Management, based on the recommendation of the Secretary of Information Technology.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a unit in the Legislative Branch of the State government;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a unit in the Judicial Branch of the State government; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a board of license commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a unit or an instrumentality of the State keeps personal records, the unit or instrumentality shall submit an annual report to the Secretary of General Services.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An annual report shall state:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of the unit or instrumentality;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for each set of personal records:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the set;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the location of the set; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>if a subunit keeps the set, the name of the subunit;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>for each set of personal records that has not been previously reported:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the category of individuals to whom the set applies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a brief description of the types of information that the set contains;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the major uses and purposes of the information;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>by category, the source of information for the set; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the policies and procedures of the unit or instrumentality as to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>access and challenges to the personal record by the person in interest; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>storage, retrieval, retention, disposal, and security, including controls on access; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>for each set of personal records that has been disposed of or changed significantly since the unit or instrumentality last submitted a report, the information required under item (iii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A unit or an instrumentality that has two or more sets of personal records may combine the personal records in the report only if the character of the personal records is highly similar.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Secretary of General Services shall adopt regulations that govern the form and method of reporting under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The annual report shall be available for public inspection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The official custodian may allow inspection of personal records for which inspection otherwise is not authorized by a person who is engaged in a research project if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the researcher submits to the official custodian a written request that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>describes the purpose of the research project;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>describes the intent, if any, to publish the findings;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>describes the nature of the requested personal records;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>describes the safeguards that the researcher would take to protect the identity of the persons in interest; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>states that persons in interest will not be contacted unless the official custodian approves and monitors the contact;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the official custodian is satisfied that the proposed safeguards will prevent the disclosure of the identity of persons in interest; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the researcher makes an agreement with the unit or instrumentality that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>defines the scope of the research project;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>sets out the safeguards for protecting the identity of the persons in interest; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>states that a breach of any condition of the agreement is a breach of contract.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-502" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A person in interest may request a unit of the State to correct inaccurate or incomplete information in a public record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the unit keeps; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person in interest is authorized to inspect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A request under this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be in writing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>describe the requested change precisely; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>state the reasons for the change.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 30 days after receiving a request under this section, a unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>make or refuse to make the requested change; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>give the person in interest written notice of the action taken.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notice of refusal shall contain the unit’s reasons for the refusal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the unit finally refuses a request under this section, the person in interest may submit to the unit a concise statement that, in five pages or less, states the reasons for the request and for disagreement with the refusal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the unit provides the disputed information to a third party, the unit shall provide to that party a copy of the statement submitted to the unit by the person in interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a unit is subject to Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article, a person or governmental unit may seek administrative and judicial review in accordance with that subtitle of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a decision of the unit to deny:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a request to change a public record; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a right to submit a statement of disagreement; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the failure of the unit to provide the statement to a third party.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-503" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>Each governmental unit that maintains public records shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>identify a representative who a member of the public should contact to request a public record from the governmental unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>maintain contact information for the governmental unit’s representative that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the representative’s name;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the representative’s business address;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the representative’s business phone number;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the representative’s business electronic mail address; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Internet address of the governmental unit;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>post the contact information maintained under item (2) of this subsection in a user–friendly format on the website of the governmental unit; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the governmental unit does not have a website, keep the contact information maintained under item (2) of this subsection at a place easily accessible by the public;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>annually update the contact information maintained under item (2) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>annually submit the contact information maintained under item (2) of this subsection to the Office of the Attorney General.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Office of the Attorney General shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>post the contact information submitted under subsection (a)(5) of this section in a user–friendly format on the website of the Office of the Attorney General; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include the contact information submitted under subsection (a)(5) of this section in any Public Information Act manual published by the Office of the Attorney General.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ggp" article_name="General Provisions" number="4-601" title_number="4" title_name="Public Information Act" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Short Title"> <text>This title may be cited as the Public Information Act.</text> </section>