<section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-101" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Administrator” means the Administrator of the Division of State Documents.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Committee” means the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Local government unit” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a municipal corporation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a special district that is established by State law and that operates within a single county;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a special district that is established by a county pursuant to public general law; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>an office, board, or department that is established in each county under State law and that is funded, pursuant to State law, at least in part by the county governing body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Mandate” means a directive in a regulation that requires a local government unit to perform a task or assume a responsibility that has a discernible fiscal impact on the local government unit.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Register” means the Maryland Register.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>“Regulation” means a statement or an amendment or repeal of a statement that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has general application;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>has future effect;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is adopted by a unit to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>detail or carry out a law that the unit administers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>govern organization of the unit;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>govern the procedure of the unit; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>govern practice before the unit; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>is in any form, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a guideline;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a rule;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a standard;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a statement of interpretation; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a statement of policy.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Regulation” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a statement that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>concerns only internal management of the unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not affect directly the rights of the public or the procedures available to the public;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a response of the unit to a petition for adoption of a regulation, under § 10–123 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a declaratory ruling of the unit as to a regulation, order, or statute, under Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Regulation”, as used in §§ 10–110 and 10–111.1 of this subtitle, means all or any portion of a regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Small business” has the meaning stated in § 2–1505.2 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Substantively” means in a manner substantially affecting the rights, duties, or obligations of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a member of a regulated group or profession; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a member of the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Unit” means an officer or unit authorized by law to adopt regulations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-102" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, this subtitle applies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each unit in the Executive Branch of the State government; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each unit that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is created by public general law; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>operates in at least 2 counties.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a unit in the Legislative Branch of the State government;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a unit in the Judicial Branch of the State government;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a board of license commissioners;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Rural Maryland Council; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Military Department.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-105" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>This Part II of this subtitle does not apply to a regulation of a bicounty commission that county governing bodies appoint.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-106" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>A regulation is not effective unless it contains a citation of the statutory authority for the regulation.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-107" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>“Unit counsel” means the unit counsel for the Commission on Civil Rights, the Public Service Commission, and the State Ethics Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless a proposed regulation is submitted to the Attorney General or to the unit counsel for approval as to legality, the regulation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may not be adopted under any statutory authority; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if adopted, is not effective.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-108" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>In the preparation of a regulation, a unit shall use the term “African American” instead of “Black”, “Negro”, “Afro-American”, or similar terms.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-109" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>This Part III of this subtitle applies only to a unit in the Executive Branch of the State government.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-110" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for subsection (c) of this section, this section does not apply to a regulation adopted under § 10–111(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>At least 15 days before the date a proposed regulation is submitted to the Maryland Register for publication under § 10–112 of this subtitle, the promulgating unit shall submit to the State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council established under § 13–1503 of the Health – General Article for review any proposed regulations identified by the promulgating unit as having an impact on environmental hazards affecting the health of children.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>At least 15 days before the date a proposed regulation is submitted to the Maryland Register for publication under § 10–112 of this subtitle, and in accordance with § 10–111.2(c) of this subtitle, the promulgating unit shall submit the proposed regulation to the Committee, the Department of Legislative Services, and the Administrator.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a unit wants to alter the text of a proposed regulation after it has been submitted to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and before the proposed regulation is published in the Maryland Register, so that any part of the text as submitted for publication differs substantively from the text previously submitted to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services, the unit shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notify the Committee, the Department of Legislative Services, and the Administrator of the change;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>withdraw the proposed regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>resubmit the proposed regulation with the altered text to the Committee, the Department of Legislative Services, and the Administrator at least 15 days prior to publication in the Register.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>If a unit wants to make a nonsubstantive change to the text of a proposed regulation after it has been submitted to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph and before the proposed regulation is published in the Maryland Register, the unit shall:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>notify the Committee, the Department of Legislative Services, the Office of the General Assembly Counsel, and the Administrator of the change; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>include with the notice a certificate from the unit that the change is nonsubstantive, including a description of the nature of each change and the basis for the conclusion.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph, if the Office of the General Assembly Counsel determines that a change to a proposed regulation under subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph is not a nonsubstantive change, the unit shall withdraw and resubmit the proposed regulation in accordance with subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If the proposed regulation, either in whole or in part, submitted to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection includes an increase or decrease in a fee for a license to practice any business activity, business or health occupation, or business or health profession licensed or otherwise regulated under State law, the promulgating unit shall include clearly written explanatory reasons that justify the increase or decrease in the fee.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a regulation submitted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph proposes an increase in a fee for a license, the written justification also shall include information about:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the amount of money needed by the promulgating unit to operate effectively or to eliminate an imbalance between the revenues and expenditures of the unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the most recent year in which the promulgating unit had last increased its fees;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the structure of the promulgating unit as to whether it is one that retains the license fees it receives or passes them through to a national organization or association that creates and administers a uniform licensing examination that is taken by anyone in the United States who is seeking a license to practice a particular occupation or profession or business activity issued by the promulgating unit;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>measures taken by the promulgating unit to avoid or mitigate the necessity of a fee increase and the results of those measures;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>special circumstances about the activities and responsibilities of the promulgating unit, including investigations of individuals licensed by the unit, that have had an adverse impact on the unit’s operating expenses;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>consideration given by the promulgating unit to the hardship a license fee increase may have on individuals and trainees licensed or regulated by the unit; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>actions taken by the promulgating unit to elicit the opinions of the individuals who are licensed by the promulgating unit and the members of the public as to the effectiveness and performance of the promulgating unit.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the promulgating unit estimates that the proposed regulation will have a significant small business impact, the unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish an electronic registry that allows any small business or other interested party to register to receive an electronic notification when the proposed regulation or the scope of the proposed regulation is posted on the unit’s website in accordance with item (ii) of this paragraph;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>post the proposed regulation or the scope of the proposed regulation on the unit’s website at least 15 days before the date the proposed regulation is submitted to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services in accordance with this section and provide an opportunity for comments on the unit’s proposal;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>on posting a proposed regulation or the scope of the proposed regulation on the unit’s website in accordance with item (ii) of this paragraph, notify the parties registered in the electronic registry established under item (i) of this paragraph that the proposed regulation or the scope of the proposed regulation has been posted; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>prepare a compliance guide written in clear, plain English to assist small businesses in complying with the proposed regulation, update the guide as needed until the regulation is final, and post the guide on the unit’s website.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Committee is not required to take any action with respect to a proposed regulation submitted to it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Failure by the Committee to approve or disapprove the proposed regulation during the period of preliminary review provided by subsection (c) of this section may not be construed to mean that the Committee approves or disapproves the proposed regulation.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>During the preliminary review period, the Committee may take any action relating to the proposed regulation that the Committee is authorized to take under §§ 10–111.1 and 10–112 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Prior to the date specified in subsection (c) of this section, the promulgating unit is encouraged to submit the proposed regulation to the Committee and to consult with the Committee concerning the form and content of that regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-111" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a unit may not adopt a proposed regulation until:</text> <level label="i"> <text>after submission of the proposed regulation to the Committee for preliminary review under § 10–110 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least 45 days after its first publication in the Register.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If the Committee determines that an appropriate review cannot reasonably be conducted within 45 days and that an additional period of review is required, it may delay the adoption of the regulation by so notifying the promulgating unit and the Division of State Documents, in writing, prior to the expiration of the 45–day period.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If notice is provided to the promulgating unit pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the promulgating unit may not adopt the regulation until it notifies the Committee, in writing by U.S. mail and e–mail, of its intention to adopt the regulation and provides the Committee with a further period of review of the regulation that terminates not earlier than the later of the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the 60th day following the notice provided by the promulgating unit under this subparagraph; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the 105th day following the initial publication of the regulation in the Register.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Notice given under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph to the Committee of a unit’s intention to adopt a regulation shall be published in the Register within 30 days after receipt of the notice by the Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The promulgating unit shall permit public comment for at least 30 days of the 45–day period under paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The unit may adopt a proposed regulation immediately if the unit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>declares that the emergency adoption is necessary;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>submits the proposed regulation to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services, together with the fiscal impact statement required under subsection (c) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>has the approval of the Committee for the emergency adoption.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this paragraph, the approval of the Committee may be given:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by a majority of its members who are present and voting at a public hearing or meeting of the Committee; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if staff of the Committee tries but is unable to contact a majority of the members of the Committee in a timely manner and immediate adoption is necessary to protect the public health or safety, by its presiding Chairman or, if its presiding Chairman is unavailable, by its cochair.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a member of the Committee requests a public hearing on the emergency adoption of a regulation, the Committee shall hold a public hearing.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>If a public hearing is held on the emergency adoption of a regulation, the Committee may not approve the emergency adoption except by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the hearing or at a meeting of the Committee subsequent to the hearing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a vote on the emergency regulation is not taken at the public hearing or immediately thereafter, the Committee members shall be provided at least 1 week’s notice of the scheduling of any subsequent meeting to vote on the regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Unless the Governor declares that immediate adoption is necessary to protect the public health or safety, the Committee may not approve the emergency adoption of a regulation earlier than 10 business days after receipt of the regulation by the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If there is no request for a public hearing, the staff of the Committee may poll, in person, by telephone, or in writing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the members of the Committee; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if staff of the Committee tries but is unable to contact a majority of the members of the Committee in a timely manner and immediate adoption is necessary to protect the public health or safety, the presiding Chairman or the cochair.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Committee may impose, as part of its approval, any condition.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Committee shall impose, as part of its approval, a time limit not to exceed 180 days on each request for emergency status.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the unit does not adopt the regulation finally before the time limit expires, the status of the regulation reverts to its status before the emergency adoption.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Committee may rescind its approval by a majority of its members present and voting at a public hearing or meeting of the Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The fiscal impact statement, prepared by the unit and submitted under subsection (b) of this section, shall state:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an estimate of the impact of the emergency regulation on the revenues and expenditures of the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whether the State budget for the fiscal year in which the regulation will become effective contains an appropriation of the funds necessary for the implementation of the emergency regulation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if an appropriation is not contained in the State budget, the source of the funds necessary for the implementation of the emergency regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>whether the emergency regulation imposes a mandate on a local government unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the emergency regulation imposes a mandate on a local government unit, the fiscal impact statement shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>indicate whether the regulation is required to comply with a federal statutory or regulatory mandate;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the information may be practicably obtained given the emergency circumstances of the regulations, include an estimate of the impact of the emergency regulation on the revenues and expenditures of local government units; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if applicable, and if the required data is available, include the estimated effect on local property tax rates.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-111.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Prior to the expiration of any period of review granted to or reserved by the Committee pursuant to § 10-111(a) of this subtitle, the Committee, by a majority vote, may oppose the adoption of any proposed regulation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless waived by both of the presiding officers, at least 2 weeks prior to acting pursuant to subsection (a)(1) of this section with respect to any proposed regulation, the Committee shall notify the presiding officers who shall notify the appropriate standing committees that the special procedure established by this section may be exercised.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In its review of a proposed regulation pursuant to this section, the factors the Committee shall consider shall include whether the regulation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is in conformity with the statutory authority of the promulgating unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>reasonably complies with the legislative intent of the statute under which the regulation was promulgated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 5 working days after the Committee votes to oppose the adoption of a proposed regulation, it shall provide written notice to the Governor and the promulgating unit of its action.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Upon receipt of such notice, and with written notice to the Committee and as otherwise required by law, the promulgating unit may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>withdraw the regulation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>modify the regulation, but only in accordance with § 10-113 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>submit the regulation to the Governor with a statement of the justification for the unit’s refusal to withdraw or modify the regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Following the receipt of notice under paragraph (2)(iii) above, the Governor may consult with the Committee and the unit in an effort to resolve the conflict. After written notice has been provided to the presiding officers and to the Committee, the Governor may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>instruct the unit to withdraw the regulation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>instruct the unit to modify the regulation, but only in accordance with § 10-113 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>approve the adoption of the regulation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A proposed regulation opposed by the Committee pursuant to this section may not be adopted, and is not effective unless approved, by the Governor pursuant to subsection (c)(3) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-111.2" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The website of the General Assembly shall include a list of all emergency regulations the Committee has received but has not approved.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each regulation, the list shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the date the Committee received the regulation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whether a member of the Committee has requested a public hearing;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the date of any public hearing scheduled;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the date and a summary of any action the Committee has taken; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the name and telephone number of a member of the Committee’s staff who can provide further information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A regulation shall be added to the list within 3 business days after receipt of the regulation by the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall maintain a list of members of the public who have requested to receive notice when the Department of Legislative Services receives proposed regulations for which the promulgating unit has requested emergency adoption.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A member of the public who requests notice under this subsection shall specify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>whether the individual wants to receive notice by United States mail or electronic mail; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>which agencies’ regulations the individual wants to receive notice of receipt.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Within 2 business days of receipt of a proposed regulation, the Department of Legislative Services shall provide notice to members of the public who have requested notice, as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may impose a reasonable fee for sending notice under this subsection by United States mail; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may not impose a fee for sending notice under this subsection by electronic mail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Upon request, a promulgating unit shall provide copies of emergency regulations to members of the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services shall adopt procedures for the required submission of proposed and emergency regulations, work plans, and evaluation reports to the Committee by a unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Each unit shall follow the procedures adopted by the Department of Legislative Services under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A unit submitting a proposed regulation to the Committee shall include the text of the proposed regulation and the notice of proposed adoption that is required to be submitted to the Administrator under § 10–112(a)(2) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Administrator shall consult with the Department of Legislative Services to ensure that notice of the receipt of proposed and emergency regulations by the Administrator under this title is transmitted to and received by the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services in a timely manner.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When the Administrator transmits a proposed or emergency regulation to the Committee and the Department of Legislative Services, the Administrator shall also provide receipt of the transmittal to the unit that originally submitted the regulation to the Division.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Submission of a regulation, a work plan, or an evaluation report to the Committee under this subsection does not satisfy any requirement under this subtitle for a unit to submit a regulation, a work plan, or an evaluation report to the Administrator for publication in the Register.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any requirement under this subtitle for a unit to submit a regulation to the Committee may not be satisfied by submitting the regulation to the Division.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-112" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to the emergency adoption of a regulation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To have a proposed regulation published in the Register, a unit shall submit to the Administrator:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the proposed regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a notice of the proposed adoption.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The notice under this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>state the estimated economic impact of the proposed regulation on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the revenues and expenditures of units of the State government and of local government units; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>groups such as consumer, industry, taxpayer, or trade groups;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>include a statement of purpose;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>satisfy the requirements of § 2–1505.2 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>comply with § 7–113(c) of the Human Services Article; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>give persons an opportunity to comment before adoption of the proposed regulation, by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>setting a date, time, and place for a public hearing at which oral or written views and information may be submitted; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>giving a telephone number that a person may call to comment and an address to which a person may send comments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The estimated economic impact statement required under paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection shall state whether the proposed regulation imposes a mandate on a local government unit.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the proposed regulation imposes a mandate, the fiscal impact statement shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>indicate whether the regulation is required to comply with a federal statutory or regulatory mandate; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include, in addition to the estimate under paragraph (3)(i)1 of this subsection, the estimated effect on local property tax rates, if applicable, and if the required data is available.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>As soon as the Committee approves emergency adoption of a regulation, the Committee shall submit the regulation to the Administrator.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a regulation under this section amends or repeals an adopted regulation, the text of the regulation under this section shall show the changes with the symbols that the Administrator requires.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-112.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Whenever a unit publishes a proposed regulation in the Register in accordance with § 10–112 of this subtitle, the unit shall publish the text of the proposed regulation on the unit’s website not later than 3 business days after the date that the proposed regulation is published in the Register.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever a unit submits a regulation to the Committee for approval as an emergency adoption in accordance with § 10–111(b) of this subtitle, the unit shall publish the text of the regulation on the unit’s website not later than 3 business days after the date that the regulation is submitted to the Committee for approval of emergency adoption.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To comply with the publication requirement of this section, a unit shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>publish the text of the regulation on the unit’s home page on its website; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide a link on the unit’s home page to the text of the regulation if the text of the regulation is available elsewhere on the unit’s website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The failure of a unit to publish the text of a regulation in a timely manner under this section may not invalidate or otherwise affect the adoption of the regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-113" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “unit counsel” has the meaning stated in § 10–107 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a unit wishes to change the text of a proposed regulation so that any part of the text differs substantively from the text previously published in the Register, the unit may not adopt the proposed regulation unless it is proposed anew and adopted in accordance with the requirements of §§ 10–111 and 10–112 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the regulation is proposed anew, the changes in the text shall be shown with the symbols that the Administrator requires.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Administrator shall refuse to publish the notice of adoption of a regulation that differs from the text previously published unless the notice is accompanied by a certification from the Attorney General or the unit counsel that the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section are not applicable.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The certification shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>be prepared in the form and according to guidelines specified by the Administrator;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>contain a description of the nature of each change and the basis for the conclusion; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>be published in the Register as part of the notice of adoption.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-114" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>After adopting a regulation, a unit shall submit to the Administrator a notice of adoption, for publication in the Register.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the text of the adopted regulation is the same or substantially similar to the proposed regulation, the notice shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>state that the texts are the same or substantially similar;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>cite the date of the Register in which the proposed regulation was published; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>show each change in the text with the symbols that the Administrator requires.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-115" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>A unit may not reset or reprint a regulation in the Code of Maryland Regulations, the permanent supplements to the Code of Maryland Regulations, or the Register without the written permission of the Committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before reprinting a regulation under this section, a unit shall submit the proposed text of the regulation to the Division of State Documents for comparison with the official text.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-116" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>A unit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may withdraw a proposed regulation at any time before its adoption; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not adopt the proposed regulation unless it is proposed anew and adopted in accordance with the requirements of §§ 10-111 and 10-112 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The failure to adopt a proposed regulation within 1 year after its last publication in the Register constitutes withdrawal under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Administrator shall publish in the Register notice of a withdrawal of a proposed regulation under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-117" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section or in other law, the effective date of a regulation is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the 10th calendar day after notice of adoption is published in the Register; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a later date that the notice sets.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For calculation of the effective date under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>§ 1–302 of the General Provisions Article does not apply;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the issue date of the Register in which the notice is published is not counted; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each other calendar day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, is counted.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The effective date of a regulation after its emergency adoption is the date that the Committee sets.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-118" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>The Committee may exercise a power granted under this subtitle over an emergency or proposed regulation or a specific, distinct, and severable provision of an emergency or proposed regulation.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-120" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>This Part IV of this subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the State Department of Assessments and Taxation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Board of Appeals of the Maryland Department of Labor;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Insurance Administration;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Maryland Parole Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Public Service Commission;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the Maryland Tax Court; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the State Workers’ Compensation Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Insurance Commissioner states in writing that, as to a particular matter, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund need not comply with this Part IV of this subtitle, this Part IV does not apply to the Fund with respect to that matter.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This subtitle does apply to the property tax assessment appeals boards.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-121" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>A political subdivision of the State or an instrumentality of a political subdivision is entitled, to the same extent as other legal entities, to be an interested person, party, or petitioner in a matter under this subtitle, including an appeal.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-122" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Each unit shall adopt regulations to govern procedures under this Part IV of this subtitle, including the related forms that the unit requires and the instructions for completing the forms.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To help persons deal with the unit, the unit shall supplement, so far as practicable, the regulations under this section with a description of the procedures of the unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-123" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>An interested person may submit to a unit a petition for the adoption of a regulation.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 60 days after the petition is submitted, the unit shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in writing, deny the petition and state the reasons for the denial; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>initiate the procedures for adoption of the regulation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-124" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “business” means a trade, professional activity, or other business that is conducted for profit.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before a unit adopts a proposed regulation, the unit shall evaluate whether the proposed regulation has any impact on businesses.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To evaluate the impact, the unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>on the basis of the sizes of the businesses that the proposed regulation might affect, divide those businesses into any classes that the unit considers appropriate for the proposed regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>particularly consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the costs that the proposed regulation would impose on each class; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the difficulty of compliance for each class.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On the basis of the evaluation, the unit may adopt 1 or more regulations that apply differently to classes of businesses.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-125" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A person may file a petition for a declaratory judgment on the validity of any regulation, whether or not the person has asked the unit to consider the validity of the regulation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A petition under this section shall be filed with the circuit court for the county where the petitioner resides or has a principal place of business.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A court may determine the validity of any regulation if it appears to the court that the regulation or its threatened application interferes with or impairs or threatens to interfere with or impair a legal right or privilege of the petitioner.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The unit that adopted the regulation shall be made a party to the proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Subject to § 10-128 of this subtitle, the court shall declare a provision of a regulation invalid if the court finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the provision violates any provision of the United States or Maryland Constitution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the provision exceeds the statutory authority of the unit; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the unit failed to comply with statutory requirements for adoption of the provision.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-128" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless a regulation expressly states otherwise, its provisions are severable.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The finding of a court that a provision of a regulation is invalid invalidates only any other provision of the regulation that the court finds then is so incomplete that it cannot be carried out in accordance with the purpose of the regulation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-129" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to a unit in the Executive Branch of the State government.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Whenever a court of final appeal declares all or any part of a regulation invalid and unconstitutional:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the unit that adopted the regulation shall have notice of that fact published in the Register; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Administrator shall publish notice of that fact in the permanent supplements or otherwise in the Code of Maryland Regulations.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-130" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part VI the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Adopting authority” means the individual or entity charged under law with adopting regulations for a unit.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Committee” means the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Evaluation report” means the document prepared by a unit of State government in accordance with this part that results from the unit’s review of its regulations.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Regulation” has the meaning stated in § 10–101(g) of this subtitle and is limited to those regulations in effect at the time any action is required or taken under this part.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Stakeholder” means a person that has an interest in or is impacted by an existing regulation.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Unit” means each unit in the Executive Branch of State government that is authorized by law to adopt regulations.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Work plan” means a unit’s proposal for the evaluation of its regulations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-131" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>This part does not apply to a regulation of a bi-county or multicounty commission or authority or to any other entity not a part of the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-132" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>The purposes of this part are to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish a system of executive and legislative evaluation of regulations that will:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determine whether the regulations of a unit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>continue to be necessary for the public interest;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>continue to be supported by statutory authority and judicial opinions; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>are obsolete or otherwise are appropriate for amendment or repeal; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assist the Executive Branch in being accountable and responsive to the public interest; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>assure that the evaluation takes place in a timely and orderly manner.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-132.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the adopting authority for each unit shall every 8 years, beginning on or after October 1, 2001, submit to the Governor and to the Committee a schedule of regulations to be reviewed under this part during the following 8 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>To the extent possible and reasonable, an adopting authority shall schedule related regulations to be reviewed concurrently.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Unless good cause exists for publishing a larger group of regulations concurrently, the largest group of regulations that an adopting authority may schedule for review concurrently shall be a subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>At the time that a unit’s regulations are scheduled for review under this part, an adopting authority may certify to the Committee and the Governor that the review of a regulation or group of related regulations would not be effective or cost-effective and is exempt from the review process under this subtitle because the regulation or group of related regulations was:</text> <level label="i"> <text>adopted to implement a federally mandated or federally approved program; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>initially adopted or comprehensively amended during the preceding 8 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An adopting authority issuing a certificate of exemption shall provide the Governor and Committee with written justification for the certificate of exemption.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If there is more than one adopting authority for a regulation or group of related regulations for which an exemption is to be certified, each adopting authority shall sign the certificate of exemption and written justification required under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>At any time during a review cycle, the Governor or Committee may ask that an adopting authority review a regulation or group of regulations for which a certificate of exemption has been issued, notwithstanding the claim of exemption.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-133" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Based on the schedules submitted by the adopting authorities under § 10-132.1 of this subtitle, the Governor shall, by an executive order consistent with this part, provide for the review and evaluation of the regulations of each unit in accordance with this part.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The executive order shall provide that a review and evaluation of the regulations of all units be undertaken every 8 years, beginning on July 1, 1995 and is repeated during each 8-year period thereafter.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The executive order under subsection (b) of this section shall schedule the evaluations in such a manner that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a deadline is established for each unit to complete its evaluation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the deadlines of the various units are staggered across the entire 8-year period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The executive order shall provide that, on written request from a unit, the Governor may alter the deadline for that unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Governor approves a request to alter a deadline, the unit shall notify the Committee.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-134" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>At least 1 year before the commencement of the review and evaluation of its regulations, each unit shall prepare a work plan and submit the work plan to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of this article, the Committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The work plan shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>include a description of the procedures and methods to be used by the unit, which may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>procedures for inviting public comment, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the publication of notices in the Maryland Register;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the publication of notices in newspapers of general circulation in the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the posting of a notice on the unit’s website or on a statewide website created for units to post notices of regulations review;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the mailing of notices; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the holding of public hearings at various locations around the State;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>procedures for ensuring the participation of stakeholders in the review process;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>procedures for ensuring the participation in the review process of other units affected by the regulations; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>procedures for gathering and reviewing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>recent scientific information related to the regulations being reviewed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>similar regulations adopted or repealed by other states or the federal government; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>other appropriate information;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>identify the individual or individuals in the unit who will coordinate the evaluation and communicate with the Committee; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>establish the schedule the unit will follow to complete its evaluation report in a timely manner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 30 days after receipt of the work plan by the Committee, it shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>advise the unit in writing of any part of the work plan with which it disagrees;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>submit to the unit in writing any changes it recommends to the work plan; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>in the event of a disagreement, attempt to meet with the head of the unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The head of the unit and the Committee shall attempt to resolve any disagreements within 30 days after the Committee acts under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-135" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Pursuant to the work plan adopted under § 10–134 of this subtitle, each unit shall complete an evaluation report on or before the deadline established by the executive order.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consistent with the requirements of § 10–132(1)(i) of this subtitle, the evaluation report shall contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a list of any stakeholders invited to review the regulations and a summary of their participation in and input into the review process;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a list of any affected units invited to review the regulations and a summary of their participation in and input into the review process;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a description of the process used to solicit public comment, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any notice published in the Maryland Register;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any notice published in newspapers of general circulation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any notice posted on the unit’s website or on a statewide website created for units to post notices of regulations review;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any mailing by the adopting authority; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>any public hearing held;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>summaries of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all comments received from stakeholders, affected units, or the public; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the adopting authority’s responses to those comments;</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a description of any interunit conflict reviewed and the resolution or proposed resolution of that conflict;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a summary of any relevant scientific data gathered;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>a summary of any relevant information gathered related to the regulations of other states or the federal government;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>a summary of any other relevant information gathered;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>a summary of any proposed amendments to the unit’s regulations and the reason that the amendments are being proposed;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>a summary of any proposed repeal of those regulations and the reason that the repeal is being proposed; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>any proposed reorganization of those regulations and the reason that the reorganization is being proposed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On completion of its evaluation report, a unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provide a copy to the Committee which shall immediately provide copies thereof to the standing committees designated by the presiding officers for their review and comment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide sufficient copies to the State Library Resource Center for distribution to designated depository libraries in accordance with § 23–303 of the Education Article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>publish a notice in the Maryland Register that the evaluation report is available for public inspection and comment for 60 days.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The unit may hold a public hearing on the evaluation report at the discretion of the head of the unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Committee shall review the evaluation report.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>During the review, the Committee may solicit public comment through written comments or public hearings.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>During the 60–day review period established under subsection (b)(1) of this section, the Committee may submit to the unit comments on and recommendations for change in the unit’s evaluation report.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 30 days after the termination of the 60–day review period, the unit shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the Committee of the unit’s agreement or disagreement with the Committee’s recommendations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>attempt to resolve any disagreements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the Committee submits no comments or recommendations under this subsection, or if any disagreements have been resolved by the termination of the period provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the evaluation report is deemed approved.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-136" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If a unit, other than those referred to in § 10–137 of this subtitle, disagrees with a Committee recommendation and the disagreement has not been resolved by the termination of the period provided under § 10–135(d)(2) of this subtitle, the unit, within 30 days thereafter, shall submit the evaluation report to the Governor with an explanation of the disagreement and a statement of justification for the unit’s position.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After receipt of the report and accompanying justification and after consulting with the presiding Chairman of the Committee, the Governor shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>approve the evaluation report either as proposed by the unit or with such modifications as the Governor deems appropriate; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>instruct the unit to modify the evaluation report and, under this section, to submit a revised report to the Governor and to the Committee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The unit shall provide the Committee, subject to § 2–1257 of this article, with a copy of an evaluation report approved by the Governor and any other written action taken by the Governor under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-137" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to the Comptroller, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, and the Board of Public Works.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 30 days of the receipt by one of the units referred to in subsection (a) of this section of a Committee comment or recommendation under § 10–135(d) of this subtitle with which that unit disagrees, the Comptroller, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, or the Board of Public Works, as the case may be, shall, after consultation with the Committee, resolve the disagreement.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The unit involved shall promptly notify the Committee of any resolution of a disagreement under this section and provide the Committee with a copy of the approved evaluation report.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-138" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 120 days after an evaluation report is approved pursuant to § 10-135(d)(3), § 10-136(a)(2)(i), or § 10-137 of this subtitle, the unit shall propose for adoption any amendments to or repeal of its regulations that were summarized in the unit’s evaluation report as approved.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The amendments or repeal shall be proposed in the manner provided under Part III of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-139" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Regulations"> <text>This Part VI of this subtitle may be cited as the “Regulatory Review and Evaluation Act”.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-201" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <text>The purpose of this subtitle is to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ensure the right of all persons to be treated in a fair and unbiased manner in their efforts to resolve disputes in administrative proceedings governed by this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>promote prompt, effective, and efficient government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-202" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Agency” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an officer or unit of the State government authorized by law to adjudicate contested cases; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a unit that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is created by general law;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>operates in at least 2 counties; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is authorized by law to adjudicate contested cases.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Agency head” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an individual or group of individuals in whom the ultimate legal authority of an agency is vested by any provision of law; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the secretary of the State department that is responsible for State programs that are administered by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“Contested case” means a proceeding before an agency to determine:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a right, duty, statutory entitlement, or privilege of a person that is required by statute or constitution to be determined only after an opportunity for an agency hearing; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the grant, denial, renewal, revocation, suspension, or amendment of a license that is required by statute or constitution to be determined only after an opportunity for an agency hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Contested case” does not include a proceeding before an agency involving an agency hearing required only by regulation unless the regulation expressly, or by clear implication, requires the hearing to be held in accordance with this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“License” means all or any part of permission that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is required by law to be obtained from an agency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is not required only for revenue purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>is in any form, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an approval;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a certificate;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a charter;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a permit; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a registration.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Office” means the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Presiding officer” means the board, commission, agency head, administrative law judge, or other authorized person conducting an administrative proceeding under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-203" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Legislative Branch of the State government or an agency of the Legislative Branch;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Judicial Branch of the State government or an agency of the Judicial Branch;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the following agencies of the Executive Branch of the State government:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Department of Assessments and Taxation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Insurance Administration except as specifically provided in the Insurance Article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Maryland Parole Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Public Service Commission;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the Maryland Tax Court;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the State Workers’ Compensation Commission;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund; or</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>the Patuxent Institution Board of Review, when acting on a parole request;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an officer or unit not part of a principal department of State government that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is created by or pursuant to the Maryland Constitution or general or local law;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>operates in only 1 county; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is subject to the control of a local government or is funded wholly or partly from local funds;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>unemployment insurance claim determinations, tax determinations, and appeals in the Maryland Department of Labor except as specifically provided in Subtitle 5A of Title 8 of the Labor and Employment Article; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>any other entity otherwise expressly exempted by statute.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the property tax assessment appeals boards; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>as to requests for correction of certificates of death under § 5–310(d)(2) of the Health – General Article, the office of the Chief Medical Examiner.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public hearing required or provided for by statute or regulation before an agency takes a particular action is not an agency hearing under § 10–202(d) of this subtitle unless the statute or regulation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>expressly requires that the public hearing be held in accordance with this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>expressly requires that any judicial review of the agency determination following the public hearing be conducted in accordance with this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, this subtitle does apply to a contested case that arises from a State program administered by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services in the same manner as the subtitle applies to a county health department or local department of social services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle, the Office of the Attorney General, after consultation with the County Attorney for Montgomery County, shall determine if the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services administers a State program.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subsection is not intended to extend or limit the authority of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to administer State programs in the manner of a county health department or local department of social services.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-204" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <text>A political subdivision of the State or an instrumentality of a political subdivision is entitled, to the same extent as other legal entities, to be an interested person, party, or petitioner in a matter under this subtitle, including an appeal.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-205" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a board, commission, or agency head authorized to conduct a contested case hearing shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct the hearing; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>delegate the authority to conduct the contested case hearing to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Office; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>with the prior written approval of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, a person not employed by the Office.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A hearing held in accordance with § 4-608(f) or § 5-610(f) of the Business Occupations and Professions Article may not be delegated to the Office.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>With the written approval of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, a class of contested case hearings may be delegated as provided in paragraph (1)(ii)2 of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This subsection is not intended to restrict the right of an individual, expressly authorized by a statute in effect on October 1, 1993, to conduct a contested case hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An agency may delegate to the Office the authority to issue:</text> <level label="1"> <text>proposed or final findings of fact;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>proposed or final conclusions of law;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>proposed or final findings of fact and conclusions of law;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>proposed or final orders or orders under Title 20 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the final administrative decision of an agency in a contested case.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Promptly after receipt of a request for a contested case hearing, an agency shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>notify the parties that the authorized agency head, board, or commission shall conduct the hearing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>transmit the request to the Office so that the Office shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the agency’s delegation; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>request written approval from the Chief Administrative Law Judge to appoint a person not employed by the Office to conduct the hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an agency’s delegation and transmittal of all or part of a contested case to the Office is final.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an agency has adopted regulations specifying the criteria and procedures for the revocation of a delegation of a contested case, delegation of authority to hear all or part of a contested case may be revoked, by the agency head, board, or commission, in accordance with the agency’s regulations, at any time prior to the earlier of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the issuance of a ruling on a substantive issue; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the taking of oral testimony from the first witness.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>conduct the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or as otherwise required by law, within 90 days after the completion of the hearing, complete the procedure authorized in the agency’s delegation to the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The time limit specified in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may be extended with the written approval of the Chief Administrative Law Judge.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-206" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall adopt regulations to govern the procedures and practice in all contested cases delegated to the Office and conducted under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless a federal or State law requires that a federal or State procedure shall be observed, the regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall take precedence in the event of a conflict.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each agency may adopt regulations to govern procedures under this subtitle and practice before the agency in contested cases.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Regulations adopted under this section may include procedures and criteria for requesting and conducting expedited hearings.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each agency and the Office may adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide for prehearing conferences in contested cases; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>set other appropriate prehearing procedures in contested cases.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>To assist the public in understanding the procedures followed by an agency or the Office in contested cases, an agency or the Office may develop and distribute supplemental explanatory materials, including the related forms that the agency or Office requires and instructions for completing the forms.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-206.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>An agency may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>grant the right to practice law to an individual who is not authorized to practice law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>interfere with the right of a lawyer to practice before an agency or the Office; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>prohibit any party from being advised or represented at the party’s own expense by an attorney or, if permitted by law, other representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subsection (a) of this section may not be interpreted to require the State to furnish publicly provided legal services in any proceeding under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-207" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>An agency shall give reasonable notice of the agency’s action.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notice shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>state concisely and simply:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the facts that are asserted; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the facts cannot be stated in detail when the notice is given, the issues that are involved;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>state the pertinent statutory and regulatory sections under which the agency is taking its action;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>state the sanction proposed or the potential penalty, if any, as a result of the agency’s action;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>unless a hearing is automatically scheduled, state that the recipient of notice of an agency’s action may have an opportunity to request a hearing, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>what, if anything, a person must do to receive a hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>all relevant time requirements; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>state the direct consequences, sanction, potential penalty, if any, or remedy of the recipient’s failure to exercise in a timely manner the opportunity for a hearing or to appear for a scheduled hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The notice of agency action under this section may be consolidated with the notice of hearing required under § 10-208 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For purposes of this section, publication in the Maryland Register does not constitute reasonable notice to a party.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-208" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>An agency or the Office shall give all parties in a contested case reasonable written notice of the hearing.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notice shall state:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the date, time, place, and nature of the hearing;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the right to call witnesses and submit documents or other evidence under § 10-213(f) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any applicable right to request subpoenas for witnesses and evidence and specify the costs, if any, associated with such a request;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>that a copy of the hearing procedure is available on request and specify the costs associated with such a request;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>any right or restriction pertaining to representation;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>that failure to appear for the scheduled hearing may result in an adverse action against the party; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>that, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the parties may agree to the evidence and waive their right to appear at the hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The notice of hearing may be consolidated with the notice of agency action required under § 10-207 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle, publication in the Maryland Register does not constitute reasonable notice to a party.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-209" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>Where a licensing statute provides for service other than by regular mail, notice under this subtitle may be sent by regular mail to the address of record of a person holding a license issued by the agency if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person is required by law to advise the agency of the address; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the agency has been unsuccessful in giving notice in the manner otherwise provided by the licensing statute.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Upon a showing that the person neither knew nor had reasonable opportunity to know of the fact of service, a person served by regular mail under subsection (a) of this section shall be granted a hearing.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person holding a license shall be deemed to have had a reasonable opportunity to know of the fact of service if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the person is required by law to notify the agency of a change of address within a specified period of time;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the person failed to notify the agency in accordance with the law;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the agency or the Office mailed the notice to the address of record; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the agency did not have actual notice of the change of address prior to service.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-210" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <text>Unless otherwise precluded by law, an agency or the Office may dispose of a contested case by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>stipulation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>settlement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>consent order;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>default;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>withdrawal;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>summary disposition; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>dismissal.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-211" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with subsection (b) of this section, a hearing may be conducted by telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For good cause, a party may object to the holding of a hearing by telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a party establishes good cause in opposition to the holding of a hearing by telephone or other similar audio electronic means, the hearing shall be held in person or by video conferencing or other similar audiovisual electronic means.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a party establishes good cause in opposition to the holding of a hearing by video conferencing or other similar audiovisual electronic means, the hearing shall be conducted in person.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-212" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, a contested case hearing conducted by the Office shall be open to the public.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Hearings conducted by the Office are not subject to Subtitle 5 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-212.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In a contested case, a party or witness may apply to the agency for the appointment of a qualified interpreter to assist that party or witness, if the party or witness is deaf or, because of a hearing impediment, cannot readily understand or communicate the spoken English language.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On application of the party or witness the agency shall appoint a qualified interpreter.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In selecting a qualified interpreter for appointment, the agency may consult the directory of interpreters for manual communication or oral interpretation to assist deaf persons that is maintained by the courts of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An interpreter appointed under this section shall be allowed the compensation that the agency considers reasonable.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the compensation shall be paid by the agency.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the agency has the authority to tax for services and expenses as a part of the costs of a case, the agency may tax the amount paid to an interpreter as a part of these services and expenses in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-213" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each party in a contested case shall offer all of the evidence that the party wishes to have made part of the record.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the agency has any evidence that the agency wishes to use in adjudicating the contested case, the agency shall make the evidence part of the record.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The presiding officer may admit probative evidence that reasonable and prudent individuals commonly accept in the conduct of their affairs and give probative effect to that evidence.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Evidence may not be excluded solely on the basis that it is hearsay.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The presiding officer may exclude evidence that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>incompetent;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>irrelevant;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>immaterial; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>unduly repetitious.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The presiding officer shall apply a privilege that law recognizes.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>On a genuine issue in a contested case, each party is entitled to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>call witnesses;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>offer evidence, including rebuttal evidence;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>cross-examine any witness that another party or the agency calls; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>present summation and argument.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The presiding officer may receive documentary evidence:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the form of copies or excerpts; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by incorporation by reference.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The agency or the Office may take official notice of a fact that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>judicially noticeable; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>general, technical, or scientific and within the specialized knowledge of the agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before taking official notice of a fact, the presiding officer:</text> <level label="i"> <text>before or during the hearing, by reference in a preliminary report, or otherwise, shall notify each party; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall give each party an opportunity to contest the fact.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The agency or the Office may use its experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge in the evaluation of evidence.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-214" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>Findings of fact must be based exclusively on the evidence of record in the contested case proceeding and on matters officially noticed in that proceeding.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In a contested case, the Office is bound by any agency regulation, declaratory ruling, prior adjudication, or other settled, preexisting policy, to the same extent as the agency is or would have been bound if it were hearing the case.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-215" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all or part of proceedings in a contested case shall be transcribed if any party:</text> <level label="1"> <text>requests the transcription; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>pays any required costs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a petition for judicial review is filed in circuit court by a Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipient, applicant, or authorized representative, the petitioner may not be charged a fee for the costs of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the transcription; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the preparation or delivery of the Office record to the circuit court or to a party.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-216" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In the case of a single decision maker, if the final decision maker in a contested case has not personally presided over the hearing, the final decision may not be made until each party is given notice of the proposed decision in accordance with § 10-220 of this subtitle and an opportunity to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>file exceptions with the agency to the proposed decision; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>present argument to the final decision maker that the proposed decision should be affirmed, reversed, or remanded.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the case of a decision-making body, if a majority of the officials who are to make a final decision in a contested case have not personally presided over the hearing, the officials may not make the final decision until each party is given notice of the proposed decision in accordance with § 10-220 of this subtitle and an opportunity to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>file exceptions to the proposed decision with the agency; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>present argument to a majority of the officials who are to make the final decision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a party files exceptions or presents argument under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, the official or officials who are to make the final decision shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>personally consider each part of the record that a party cites in its exceptions or arguments before making a final decision; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement of the parties, make the final decision within 90 days after the exceptions are filed or the argument is presented, whichever is later.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The final decision shall identify any changes, modifications, or amendments to the proposed decision and the reasons for the changes, modifications, or amendments.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-217" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <text>The standard of proof in a contested case shall be the preponderance of evidence unless the standard of clear and convincing evidence is imposed on the agency by regulation, statute, or constitution.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-218" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <text>The presiding officer hearing a contested case shall make a record that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all motions and pleadings;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>all documentary evidence that the agency or Office receives;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a statement of each fact of which the agency or Office has taken official notice;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any staff memorandum submitted to an individual who is involved in the decision making process of the contested case by an official or employee of the agency who is not authorized to participate in the decision making process;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>each question;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>each offer of proof;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>each objection and the ruling on the objection;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>each finding of fact or conclusion of law proposed by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a party; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the presiding officer;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>each exception to a finding or conclusion proposed by a presiding officer; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>each intermediate proposed and final ruling by or for the agency, including each report or opinion issued in connection with the ruling.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-219" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a presiding officer may not communicate ex parte directly or indirectly regarding the merits of any issue in the case, while the case is pending, with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any party to the case or the party’s representative or attorney; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any person who presided at a previous stage of the case.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An agency head, board, or commission presiding over a contested case may communicate with members of an advisory staff of, or any counsel for, the agency, board, or commission who otherwise does not participate in the contested case.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If, before hearing a contested case, a person receives an ex parte communication of a type that would violate subsection (a) of this section if received while conducting a hearing, the person, promptly after commencing the hearing, shall disclose the communication in the manner prescribed in subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An individual who is involved in the decision making process and who is personally aware of an ex parte communication shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>give notice to all parties;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include in the record of the contested case:</text> <level label="i"> <text>each written communication received;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a memorandum that states the substance of each oral communication received;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each written response to a communication; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a memorandum that states the substance of each oral response to the communication; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>send to each party a copy of each communication, memorandum, and response.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A party may rebut an ex parte communication if the party requests the opportunity to rebut within 10 days after notice of the communication.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>To eliminate the effect of an ex parte communication that is made in violation of this section, the presiding officer or, if the presiding officer is a multimember body, the individual board or commission member, may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>withdraw from the proceeding; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>terminate the proceeding without prejudice.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An order to terminate the proceeding without prejudice shall state the last date by which a party may reinstitute the proceeding.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-220" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>If the Office conducts a hearing under this subtitle, the Office shall prepare proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, or orders in accordance with the agency’s delegation under § 10-205 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Office shall send its proposed findings, conclusions, or orders:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to the parties and the agency directly; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the agency’s delegation under § 10-205 of this subtitle requires, to the agency for distribution by the agency to the parties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 60 days after receipt of the Office’s proposed findings, conclusions, or order under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the agency shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review the Office’s proposed findings, conclusions, or order;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue the proposed decision, which may include the Office’s proposed findings, conclusions, or order with or without modification; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>send the proposed decision and a copy of the Office’s proposed findings, conclusions, or order to the parties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The time limit specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be extended by the agency head, board, or commission with written notice to the parties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A proposed decision or order, including proposed decisions or orders issued for contested case hearings subject to this subtitle but not conducted by the Office, shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>be in writing or stated on the record;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contain separate findings of fact and conclusions of law;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>include an explanation of procedures and time limits for filing exceptions; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if the Office conducted the hearing and the agency’s proposed decision includes any changes, modifications, or amendments to the Office’s proposed findings, conclusions, or orders, contain an explanation of the reasons for each change, modification, or amendment.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-221" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>A final decision or order in a contested case that is adverse to a party shall be in writing or stated on the record.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A final decision or order in a contested case, including a remand of a proposed decision, shall contain separate statements of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the findings of fact;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the conclusions of law; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the order.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A written statement of appeal rights shall be included with the decision.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the findings of fact are stated in statutory language, the final decision shall state concisely and explicitly the facts that support the findings.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If, in accordance with regulations, a party submitted proposed findings of fact, the final decision shall state a ruling on each proposed finding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The final decision maker promptly shall deliver or mail a copy of the final decision or order to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each party; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the party’s attorney of record.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-222" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a party who is aggrieved by the final decision in a contested case is entitled to judicial review of the decision as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An agency, including an agency that has delegated a contested case to the Office, is entitled to judicial review of a decision as provided in this section if the agency was a party before the agency or the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Where the presiding officer has final decision–making authority, a person in a contested case who is aggrieved by an interlocutory order is entitled to judicial review if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the party would qualify under this section for judicial review of any related final decision;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the interlocutory order:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determines rights and liabilities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>has immediate legal consequences; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>postponement of judicial review would result in irreparable harm.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless otherwise required by statute, a petition for judicial review shall be filed with the circuit court for the county where any party resides or has a principal place of business.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The court may permit any other interested person to intervene in a proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the agency has delegated to the Office the authority to issue the final administrative decision pursuant to § 10–205(a)(3) of this subtitle, and there are 2 or more other parties with adverse interests remaining in the case, the agency may decline to participate in the judicial review. An agency that declines to participate shall inform the court in its initial response.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The filing of a petition for judicial review does not automatically stay the enforcement of the final decision.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, the final decision maker may grant or the reviewing court may order a stay of the enforcement of the final decision on terms that the final decision maker or court considers proper.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Judicial review of disputed issues of fact shall be confined to the record for judicial review supplemented by additional evidence taken pursuant to this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court may order the presiding officer to take additional evidence on terms that the court considers proper if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>before the hearing date in court, a party applies for leave to offer additional evidence; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the court is satisfied that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the evidence is material; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>there were good reasons for the failure to offer the evidence in the proceeding before the presiding officer.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On the basis of the additional evidence, the final decision maker may modify the findings and decision.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The final decision maker shall file with the reviewing court, as part of the record:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the additional evidence; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any modifications of the findings or decision.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The court shall conduct a proceeding under this section without a jury.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A party may offer testimony on alleged irregularities in procedure before the presiding officer that do not appear on the record.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On request, the court shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>hear oral argument; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>receive written briefs.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>In a proceeding under this section, the court may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>remand the case for further proceedings;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>affirm the final decision; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>reverse or modify the decision if any substantial right of the petitioner may have been prejudiced because a finding, conclusion, or decision:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is unconstitutional;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>exceeds the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the final decision maker;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>results from an unlawful procedure;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>is affected by any other error of law;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>is unsupported by competent, material, and substantial evidence in light of the entire record as submitted;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>in a case involving termination of employment or employee discipline, fails to reasonably state the basis for the termination or the nature and extent of the penalty or sanction imposed by the agency; or</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>is arbitrary or capricious.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The court or an officer of the court may not charge a fee to an individual petitioning for judicial review to a circuit court from an Office decision in a Medicaid fair hearing contested case proceeding.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-222.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>A party to a contested case may timely seek civil enforcement of an administrative order by filing a petition for civil enforcement in an appropriate circuit court.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless otherwise required by statute, a party shall file a petition for civil enforcement of an administrative order in the circuit court for the county where any party resides or has a principal place of business.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In an action seeking civil enforcement of an administrative order, a party shall name, as a defendant, each alleged violator against whom the party seeks to obtain civil enforcement.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A party may file an action for civil enforcement of an administrative order if another party is in violation of the administrative order.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A party in an action for civil enforcement of an administrative order may request, and a court may grant, one or more of the following forms of relief:</text> <level label="1"> <text>declaratory relief;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>temporary or permanent injunctive relief;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a writ of mandamus; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other civil remedy provided by law.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-223" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a case that arises under Title 16 of the Transportation Article unless a right to appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland is specifically provided; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a final judgment on actions of the Inmate Grievance Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A party who is aggrieved by a final judgment of a circuit court under this subtitle may appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland in the manner that law provides for appeal of civil cases.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An agency that was a party in the circuit court may appeal under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-224" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Business” means a trade, professional activity, or other business that is conducted for profit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Nonprofit organization” means an organization that is exempt or eligible for exemption from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an agency operating statewide;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a business that, on the date when the contested case or civil action is initiated, meets the definition of a small business under § 2–1505.2 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a nonprofit organization.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Subject to the limitations in this section, an agency or court may award to a business or nonprofit organization reimbursement for expenses that the business or nonprofit organization reasonably incurs in connection with a contested case or civil action that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is initiated against the business or nonprofit organization by an agency as part of an administrative or regulatory function;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is initiated without substantial justification or in bad faith; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>does not result in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an adjudication, stipulation, or acceptance of liability of the business or nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a determination of noncompliance, violation, infringement, deficiency, or breach on the part of the business or nonprofit organization; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a settlement agreement under which the business or nonprofit organization agrees to take corrective action or to pay a monetary sum.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>To qualify for an award under this section when the agency has initiated a contested case, the business or nonprofit organization must make a claim to the agency before taking any appeal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The agency shall act on the claim.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>An award under this section may include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the expenses incurred in the contested case;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>court costs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>counsel fees; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the fees of necessary witnesses.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An award under this section may not exceed $10,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The court may reduce or deny an award to the extent that the conduct of the business or nonprofit organization during the proceedings unreasonably delayed the resolution of the matter in controversy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An award under this section shall be paid as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>If the agency denies an award under this section, the business or nonprofit organization may appeal, as provided in this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An agency may appeal an award that a court makes under this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-225" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <text>Upon a finding by the Governor that there is an imminent threat within a time certain of a loss or denial of federal funds to the State because of the operation of any section of this subtitle or of Title 9, Subtitle 16 of this article, the Governor by executive order may suspend the applicability of part or all of this subtitle or of Title 9, Subtitle 16 of this article to a specific class of contested cases.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A suspension under this section is effective only so long as, and to the extent, necessary to avoid a denial or loss of federal funds to the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The executive order shall explain the basis for the Governor’s finding and state the period of time during which the suspension is to be effective.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Governor shall declare the termination of a suspension when it is no longer necessary to prevent the loss or denial of federal funds.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An executive order issued under this section shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>presented to the Legislative Policy Committee; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>published in the Maryland Register pursuant to § 7–206(a)(2)(iii) of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-226" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Contested Cases"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“License” means all or any part of permission that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is required by law to be obtained from a unit;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is not required only for revenue purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>is in any form, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an approval;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a certificate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a charter;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a permit; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a registration.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Unit” means an officer or unit that is authorized by law to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>adopt regulations subject to Subtitle 1 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>adjudicate contested cases under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If, at least 2 calendar weeks before a license expires, the licensee makes sufficient application for renewal of the license, the license does not expire until:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the unit takes final action on the application; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>either:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the time for seeking judicial review of the action expires; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any judicial stay of the unit’s final action expires.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a unit may not revoke or suspend a license unless the unit first gives the licensee:</text> <level label="i"> <text>written notice of the facts that warrant suspension or revocation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an opportunity to be heard.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A unit may order summarily the suspension of a license if the unit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>finds that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>promptly gives the licensee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>written notice of the suspension, the finding, and the reasons that support the finding; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an opportunity to be heard.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-301" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Declaratory Rulings"> <text>In this subtitle, “unit” means an officer or unit that is authorized by law to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt regulations subject to Subtitle 1 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adjudicate contested cases subject to Subtitle 2 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-302" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Declaratory Rulings"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Department of Assessments and Taxation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Board of Appeals of the Maryland Department of Labor;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Insurance Administration;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Maryland Parole Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Public Service Commission;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the Maryland Tax Court; or</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the State Workers’ Compensation Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Insurance Commissioner states in writing that, as to a particular matter, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund need not comply with this subtitle, this subtitle does not apply to the Fund with respect to that matter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-303" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Declaratory Rulings"> <text>A political subdivision of the State or an instrumentality of a political subdivision is entitled, to the same extent as other legal entities, to be an interested person, party, or petitioner in a matter under this subtitle, including an appeal.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-304" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Declaratory Rulings"> <level label="a"> <text>An interested person may submit to a unit a petition for a declaratory ruling with respect to the manner in which the unit would apply a regulation or order of the unit or a statute that the unit enforces to a person or property on the facts set forth in the petition.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each unit shall adopt regulations that set:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the form for a petition under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>procedures for the submission, consideration, and disposition of the petition.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-305" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Administrative Procedure Act -- Declaratory Rulings"> <level label="a"> <text>A unit may issue a declaratory ruling.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A declaratory ruling binds the unit and the petitioner on the facts set forth in the petition.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A declaratory ruling under this section is subject to review in a circuit court in the manner that Subtitle 2 of this title provides for the review of a contested case.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-401" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Compliance With Workers' Compensation Act"> <text>Before a State agency issues a license or permit to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, as defined in § 9-101 of the Labor and Employment Article, the employer shall file with the State agency:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-601" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part I of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Department” means a principal department of the Executive Branch of the State government.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Division” means the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Form” means a document that has a standard format for the systematic and repetitive collection, maintenance, or transmission of information.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Independent unit” means a unit of the State government that is not in a department.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Plan” means a forms management plan for a department or independent unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-602" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>The head of each department and each independent unit shall designate, from among its staff, a forms management officer for the department or independent unit.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The forms management officer shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>subject to the approval of the Division:</text> <level label="i"> <text>keep a current plan for the management of the forms that the unit uses; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>administer the plan; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>submit the plan, including each revision, to the Division.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-603" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>The plan shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ensure that the forms management officer approves the use of a form by the department or independent unit only if the form:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is needed for the effective or efficient operation of the department or independent unit;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>requests information that is needed for or relevant to a lawful purpose of the department or independent unit;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>does not impose an undue burden on the individual who is to complete the form;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>is as brief, as plainly written, as well designed, and as easily completed as possible; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>does not duplicate unnecessarily:</text> <level label="1"> <text>another form of the department or independent unit; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a form of another department or independent unit;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require a register of the forms that the forms management officer approves;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>require identification of each form in accordance with a standard identification system of the Division;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>provide for the most economical system by which to prepare, reproduce, and use a form; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>require the forms management officer:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to review periodically each form that has been approved to determine whether the officer still approves the form; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if not, to remove the form from the register.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Division shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop a standard identification system to identify forms;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>help each department and independent unit to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>develop a proposed plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>coordinate the proposed plan with other plans;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>review each proposed plan;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>approve each proposed plan that meets the requirements of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>monitor and help in the administration of each plan to ensure compliance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In the preparation of a form that requires identification of individuals by race, a department or independent unit shall include the following racial categories:</text> <level label="i"> <text>American Indian or Alaska Native;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Asian;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Black or African American;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>White.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A form that requires identification of individuals by race shall include instructions that multiracial respondents may select all applicable racial categories.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Respondents shall select their own answers, except when it is not possible for the respondent to do so.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In the event that a respondent is not able to select an answer, an observer, such as a family member or friend, may select the answer on behalf of the respondent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A form that requires identification of individuals by race shall include a separate question about whether a respondent is of Hispanic or Latino origin, with the question preceding the racial category question.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-604" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <text>A department or independent unit may use only the forms that are listed on its register of approved forms.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-608" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part II of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Archives” means the State Archives.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Division” means the Records Management Division of the Department of General Services.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Program” means a program for the management of the records of a unit of the State government.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Records officer” means any individual designated under § 10–610(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-609" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <text>The Division and the State Archivist jointly shall adopt regulations to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>define the character of records of archival quality;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>determine the quantity of those records;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>set standards for the development of record retention and disposal schedules; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>provide for the periodic transfer to the State Archivist or disposal of records, in accordance with the schedules.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-610" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each unit of the State government shall have a program for the continual, economical, and efficient management of the records of the unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The program shall include procedures for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the security of the records;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the establishment and revision, in accordance with the regulations, record retention and disposal schedules to ensure the prompt and orderly disposition of records, including electronic records, that the unit no longer needs for its operation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the maintenance of inventories of records series that are accurate and complete; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the transfer of permanent records to the custody of the Archives.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each head of a unit of State government shall designate, from among the unit’s executive staff, a records officer for the unit to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serve as liaison to the Division and the Archives; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>develop and oversee the program.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-611" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <text>The Division shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>inspect the records of the units of the State government;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>study the records management practices of the units of State government;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>review a proposal to buy or rent equipment, storage space, or services for records, including microfilming or photocopying, and, as appropriate, make recommendations about the proposal to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Department of Budget and Management; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Board of Public Works;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>on July 1, 1985 and for each subsequent 5–year period, report a series analysis of the character and quantity of records that a unit of the State government holds and that an official of the State government or the head of a unit is required or is permitted to offer to the State Archives; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>otherwise further the programs of each unit of the State government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-614" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>In this Part III of this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Archives” means the State Archives.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Commission” means the Hall of Records Commission.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Public official” includes an official of the State or of a county, city, or town in the State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Record” means any documentary material in any form created or received by any agency in connection with the transaction of public business.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Records inventory” means a survey of all records series maintained by an agency resulting in an itemized compilation of the records in the possession of the agency.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-615" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <text>Except as expressly provided in § 10–619 of this subtitle, this Part III of this subtitle does not authorize:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the destruction of a permanent book of account;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the destruction of a land record of a clerk of a circuit court;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the destruction of any record that relates to the financial operation of a unit of the State government or to collection of State taxes until the requirements of §§ 2–1220 through 2–1227 of this article are met;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the destruction of any record until the expiration of the period that a statute expressly sets for that record to be kept;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the destruction of any public record that a statute expressly requires to be kept permanently; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the destruction of any record of a court of record unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the destruction is authorized under § 1–605(d)(6) or § 2–205 of the Courts Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an accurate transcript of the record is in use; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the record relates to the internal management of or otherwise is a housekeeping record for an office of a clerk of court or register of wills.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-616" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with the record retention and disposal schedules, a public official shall offer to the Archives any public record of the official that no longer is needed, such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an original paper;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a book;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a file;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a record of a court of record for which an accurate transcript is in use;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a record that relates to the internal management of or otherwise is a housekeeping record for an office of a clerk of court or register of wills; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>any other written or recorded materials regardless of their physical form or characteristics.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Records accepted for transfer to the Archives shall be accompanied by a records inventory.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>With the written approval of the State Archivist, a public official may destroy the record that the public official offers under this section, but the Archives declines to accept.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After records are destroyed, the public official shall send to the Archives:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a list of the records that were destroyed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a certificate of destruction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Archivist shall keep each list of the records destroyed under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The list shall be available for public inspection at reasonable times.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-617" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>A public official may offer to the Archives or may destroy any of the following materials that the public official no longer needs:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a book, magazine, or newspaper;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>other library or museum material that was made or acquired for reference or exhibition purposes;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an extra copy of a document that was kept only for convenience of reference;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a stock of publications;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>an acceptance or refusal of an invitation or engagement of a public officer; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>material that otherwise relates to personal business of a public officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Archivist may set classes of materials that the public official may destroy if the public official no longer needs the materials.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-618" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <text>A public official may offer to the Archives any portrait that is in the custody of the public official but is no longer used.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-619" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Records"> <level label="a"> <text>With the written approval of the State Archivist, the head of a unit of the State government or of a unit of a county or municipal corporation may destroy original material that has been photographed, photocopied, or microphotographed if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the head offers the original material to the Archives, but the Archives declines to accept;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the copy is made in a manner that meets the standard of quality of the Archives for permanent photographic records;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the copy is placed in an adequately accessible container; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>provisions are made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>for the preservation, examination, and use of the copy in a manner that the Archives approves; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>as to a record that a statute otherwise expressly requires to be kept permanently, for the copy to be available, on request, in the same manner as the original material.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>After materials are destroyed under this section, the head of the unit shall send to the Archives:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a list of the materials that were destroyed; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a certificate of destruction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Archivist shall keep each list of the materials destroyed under this section. The list shall be available for public inspection at reasonable times.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-701" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <text>This subtitle applies if the General Assembly:</text> <level label="1"> <text>abolishes a unit of the State government; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>transfers, wholly or partly, a function or authority of the unit to a successor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-702" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “property” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a record of a unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other property that is in the possession of a unit or any of its members or officers.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Property that relates to a transferred function or authority of an abolished or superseded unit vests in and shall be delivered to the successor of the unit.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Records of an abolished or superseded unit that do not vest in a successor shall be delivered to the State Archives.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Other property of an abolished or superseded unit that does not vest in a successor shall be delivered to the Board of Public Works.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-703" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <text>Employees of an abolished or superseded unit who are in the skilled service or professional service of the State Personnel Management System, with the exception of special appointments:</text> <level label="1"> <text>keep their status as skilled service or professional service employees; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern skilled service or professional service employees and the regulations adopted under them, are eligible for reemployment by the successor or by another unit in the respective skilled service or professional service position in the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-704" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <level label="a"> <text>Each petition, hearing, or other proceeding that was pending before an abolished or superseded unit and each proceeding or investigation that was begun by the unit remains in force.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The successor or another unit designated in accordance with law may complete a proceeding or investigation and enforce any penalty or forfeiture to the same extent as the abolished or superseded unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-705" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <text>Each order, rule, and regulation that relates to a transferred function or authority of an abolished or superseded unit remains in effect until the successor amends or rescinds the order, rule, or regulation.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-706" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="7" subtitle_name="Reorganizations"> <text>Each contract and other obligation that relates to a transferred function or authority of an abolished or superseded unit remains in effect and shall be carried out by the successor.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-801" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Written Policies for Public Communications"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Public communication” means any inquiry, request, or complaint made by the public.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Unit” means each unit in the Executive Branch of the State government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-802" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Written Policies for Public Communications"> <text>Each unit shall adopt written policies that are within the legal authority of the unit for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the procedures to be followed by the unit in responding to a public communication;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the circumstances that require the unit to maintain a record of a public communication and of the response of the unit; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the manner of maintaining records of public communications and of the responses of the unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-803" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="8" subtitle_name="Written Policies for Public Communications"> <text>Each unit shall submit the policies required under § 10-802 of this subtitle to the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-901" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Automated Mapping-Geographic Information Systems"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Cost of providing the system product” means the cost to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>create, develop, and produce a new system product in printed, hard copy, digital, or other format; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>reproduce an existing system product in printed, hard copy, digital, or other format.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Governmental unit” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State or a political subdivision, unit, or instrumentality of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a unit or instrumentality of a political subdivision of the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a bicounty agency; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a combination of the entities specified in items (1) through (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>“System” means an automated mapping–geographic information system in which geographically referenced data:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are entered and stored electronically; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>can be manipulated to display selected geographic data.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“System” includes data that define physical and nonphysical elements of geographically referenced areas.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“System products” means drawings, maps, photographs, or any other depiction, representation, or compilation of spatial data produced in printed, digital, hard copy, or other format.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-902" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Automated Mapping-Geographic Information Systems"> <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>automated mapping–geographic information system products have value to the general public; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>automated mapping–geographic information system products that are developed at public expense should not be unreasonably withheld from private commercial users of geographic information, but should not provide a public subsidy to private commercial users.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-903" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Automated Mapping-Geographic Information Systems"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle is applicable to system products established or maintained by any governmental unit.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, to the extent of any inconsistency, Title 4, Subtitles 1 through 5 of the General Provisions Article do not apply to this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-904" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Automated Mapping-Geographic Information Systems"> <level label="a"> <text>A governmental unit may adopt a fee structure for system products that will:</text> <level label="1"> <text>make system products available at a cost consistent with the requirements of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>cover the cost of providing the system product and an additional charge of no more than $50.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A governmental unit may sell system products to the general public for a fee that reasonably reflects the cost of providing the system product.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A governmental unit:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may reduce or waive the fees that it charges for system products that are to be used for a public purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall apply its reduction or waiver of the fees uniformly among persons who are similarly situated.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1001" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Civil Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “unit” means an officer or other entity in the Executive Branch.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by statute or regulation, a unit of State government authorized by law to impose a civil penalty up to a specific dollar amount for violation of any statute or regulation shall consider the following in setting the amount of the penalty:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the severity of the violation for which the penalty is to be assessed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the good faith of the violator; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any history of prior violations.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1101" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <text>The General Assembly finds that the inability to speak, understand, or read the English language is a barrier that prevents access to public services provided by State departments, agencies, and programs, and that the public services available through these entities are essential to the welfare of Maryland residents. It is the policy of the State that State departments, agencies, and programs shall provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1102" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Equal access” means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from public services offered by a State department, agency, or program, at a level equal to English proficient individuals.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Equal access” includes the ability to receive language assistance that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>ensures accurate, timely, and effective communication at no cost to the individual; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is not significantly restricted, delayed, or of lower quality compared to programs or activities available to English–proficient individuals.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Language access plan” means a written document that standardizes the language access compliance policy, standard operating procedure, reporting, and complaint process for each State department, agency, or program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Language assistance services” includes various methods to provide verbal information and interpretation such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>staff interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, and private interpreter programs; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sign languages, braille, TDD/TT/TTY, large print, plain language, and other communication accommodations used by individuals with disabilities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Limited English proficiency” means a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English in a manner that allows effective communication with a State department, agency, or program to have access to and participate in services, activities, programs, or other benefits administered by the State.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Program” means all of the operations of a State department, State agency, or any other instrumentality of the State.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Public contact positions” are positions in a State department, agency, or program for which the primary responsibilities include greeting, meeting, or providing information or services to the public.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>“Vital documents” means all applications or informational materials, notices, and complaint forms offered by State departments, agencies, and programs that are critical for accessing a State department, agency, or program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Vital documents” include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>emergency preparedness and risk communications;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>online and paper applications;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>consent forms;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>complaint forms;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>all categories of letters or notices pertaining to the eligibility for State benefits;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>written tests evaluating competency for a license, job, or skill for which English proficiency is not required;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>documents that are required by law; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>notices at no cost regarding the availability of language assistance services for individuals with limited English proficiency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Vital documents” does not include applications and examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration under the Health Occupations Article, Financial Institutions Article, Business Occupations and Professions Article, and Business Regulation Article within the jurisdiction of the Maryland Department of Health or the Maryland Department of Labor.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1103" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <level label="a"> <text>Each State department, agency, or program listed or identified under subsection (c) of this section shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>subject to subsection (b) of this section, develop a language access plan;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency who need language assistance, including any oral, written, and sign language services; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>arrange for the translation of vital documents ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes 3% of the population within the geographic area served by a local office of a State program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In developing the language access plan required under subsection (a)(1) of this section, each State department, agency, or program shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>determine the number or percentage of individuals with limited English proficiency who are eligible to be served by, or likely to have an encounter with, the State department, agency, or program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>estimate the frequency with which individuals with limited English proficiency will come into contact with the State department, agency, or program; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>determine the language assistance resources available to the State department, agency, or program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each State department, agency, or program shall update the language access plan every 2 years and include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the types and descriptions of language assistance services that the State department, agency, or program will provide;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a list of the languages, including dialects, or forms of communication for which a State department, agency, or program will provide language assistance services and the rationale for selecting the languages, dialects, or forms of communication;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an evaluation and assessment of the adequacy of the language assistance services to be provided;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a description and frequency of training for public contact staff on the language access plan;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the process for filing a complaint related to a language assistance service; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>a description of the funding and budgetary sources to implement the language access plan.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2028, the provisions of this section shall be fully implemented by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Workers’ Compensation Commission;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Commission on Civil Rights;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Department of State Police;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the Comptroller of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the Maryland Transit Administration;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the State Department of Education;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the Office of the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>five independent agencies, boards, or commissions, to be determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>each principal department listed under § 8–201 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a principal department is created on or after October 1, 2028, the principal department shall comply with the requirements of this section beginning 1 year after the date on which the principal department is created.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On or before September 30 each year, each State department, agency, or program identified under subsection (c) of this section shall submit a report to the Maryland Language Advisory Group that contains the following information for the previous fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a summary of all activities performed, including a self–assessment and explanation of any unmet objectives; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other performance measures required by the Maryland Language Advisory Group.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1103.1" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Advisory Group” means the Maryland Language Advisory Group.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before January 1, 2026, the Office and the Department of Disabilities shall convene the Maryland Language Advisory Group to make findings and recommendations on oversight, monitoring, investigation, and enforcement of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Advisory Group shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Director, or the Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Director of the Office of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing, or the Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Secretary of Disabilities, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the Secretary of Information Technology, or the Secretary’s designee; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>the State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Director or the Director’s designee and the Secretary of Disabilities or the Secretary’s designee are the co–chairs of the Advisory Group.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The staffing responsibilities shall be shared by the Office and the Department of Disabilities.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Advisory Group shall meet at least twice each year.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Advisory Group may establish workgroups as necessary to complete the duties of the Advisory Group.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A workgroup established under paragraph (1) of this subsection may include members that are not listed under subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before July 1 each year, the Advisory Group shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in consultation with the appropriate State and local agencies and community organizations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review any language access plans, as defined in § 10–1102 of this subtitle, developed by State departments, agencies, and programs to develop a template language access plan;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>review laws and best practices of local jurisdictions and other states relating to language access;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>develop a template language access plan, as defined in § 10–1102 of this subtitle, for State departments, agencies, or programs;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>develop a template language access policy and template language access standard operating procedure for State departments, agencies, or programs;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>recommend at least one State department, agency, or program to perform oversight, monitoring, investigation, and enforcement of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>establish a framework to assess if State departments, agencies, and programs are in compliance with § 10–1103 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>solicit input from the stakeholders identified under item (2) of this subsection;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>solicit input from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>legal and social services organizations that provide services to individuals with limited English proficiency, as defined in § 10–1102 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>legal and social services organizations that provide services to individuals with disabilities;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>disability rights advocacy organizations;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>immigrants’ rights advocacy organizations;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>individuals with lived experience with limited English proficiency, as defined in § 10–1102 of this subtitle, sign language, visual disabilities, or other communication disabilities; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>other relevant stakeholders.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before June 1 each year, the Advisory Group shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a description of the work of the Advisory Group; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any recommendations of the Advisory Group.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1104" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <text>Each State department, agency, or program not listed or identified under § 10–1103(c) of this subtitle shall monitor its operations to determine if the State department, agency, or program should take reasonable steps under § 10–1103 of this subtitle to achieve equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1105" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, each State department, agency, and program shall provide for each website that may reasonably be expected to be available to and used by members of the general public equal access versions of the website in any language that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes at least 0.5% of the overall population within the State, as measured by the most recent United States Census; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>can be translated free of charge.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If machine translation services are used to carry out the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State department, agency, or program may post conspicuously on its website, a disclaimer that the State department, agency, or program:</text> <level label="i"> <text>does not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the translation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is not liable for any loss or damage arising out of the use of or reliance on the translated content.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A State department, agency, or program is not required to provide equal access to website content if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the State department, agency, or program determines that an inaccurate translation of the content could lead to a denial of services or benefits; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the content cannot be translated due to the limitations of machine translation software, including files in PDF format, images, and videos.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A unit of local government is encouraged to provide equal access versions of websites to the same extent State departments, agencies, and programs are required to under subsection (a) of this section, but may not be required to do so.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1106" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With Limited English Proficiency"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Information Technology, shall provide central coordination and technical assistance to State departments, agencies, and programs to aid compliance with this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department of Information Technology shall establish minimum standards to which the equal access versions of websites required under § 10–1105 of this subtitle must conform.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The minimum standards established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include a standard regarding the prominent placement of links on the English version of a website to each equal access version of the website.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1201" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Toll-Free Telephone Numbers"> <text>Each unit of State government shall install and maintain a telephone system that allows a person from anywhere in the State to communicate with employees of the unit by toll-free telephone call during the regular business hours of the unit for the purpose of conducting official State business.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1202" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Toll-Free Telephone Numbers"> <text>Each unit of State government shall print its toll-free telephone numbers on the unit’s official documents, including stationery, fax cover sheets, business cards, and other publications that are distributed to the public.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1203" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Toll-Free Telephone Numbers"> <text>Each unit shall include each of its toll-free telephone numbers in any directory that lists information about the unit.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1301" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Encryption” means the protection of data in electronic or optical form, in storage or in transit, using a technology that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is certified to meet or exceed the level that has been adopted by the Federal Information Processing Standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>renders such data indecipherable without an associated cryptographic key necessary to enable decryption of such data.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Personal information” means an individual’s first name or first initial and last name, personal mark, or unique biometric or genetic print or image, in combination with one or more of the following data elements:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a Social Security number, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, a passport number, or other identification number issued by the United States Government;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a driver’s license number, state identification card number, or other individual identification number issued by a unit;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a financial or other account number, a credit card number, or a debit card number that, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password, would permit access to an individual’s account;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a username or e–mail address in combination with a password or security question and answer that permits access to an individual’s email account;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>genetic and health–related data, including mental health, substance use disorder, and disability; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>sensitive data, as defined in § 14–4701 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Personal information” does not include a voter registration number.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Reasonable security procedures and practices” means data security procedures and practices developed, in good faith, and set forth in a written information security policy.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Records” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Unit” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an executive agency, or a department, a board, a commission, an authority, a unit, or an instrumentality of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a county, municipality, bi–county, regional, or multicounty agency, county board of education, public corporation or authority, or any other political subdivision of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Unit” does not include a public institution of higher education.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1302" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to personal information that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, State, or local government records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an individual has consented to have publicly disseminated or listed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except for a medical record that a person is prohibited from redisclosing under § 4–302(d) of the Health – General Article, is disclosed in accordance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>is disclosed in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to the Legislative or Judicial Branch of State government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1303" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <text>When a unit is destroying records of an individual that contain personal information of the individual, the unit shall take reasonable steps to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the personal information, taking into account:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the sensitivity of the records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the nature of the unit and its operations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the costs and benefits of different destruction methods; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>available technology.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1304" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <level label="a"> <text>To protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, modification, or disclosure, a unit that collects personal information of an individual shall implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices that are appropriate to the nature of the personal information collected and the nature of the unit and its operations.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection shall apply to a written contract or agreement that is entered into on or after July 1, 2014.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A unit that uses a nonaffiliated third party as a service provider to perform services for the unit and discloses personal information about an individual under a written contract or agreement with the third party shall require by written contract or agreement that the third party implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are appropriate to the nature of the personal information disclosed to the nonaffiliated third party; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>are reasonably designed to help protect the personal information from unauthorized access, use, modification, disclosure, or destruction.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1305" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “breach of the security of a system” means the unauthorized acquisition of computerized data that compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of the personal information maintained by a unit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Breach of the security of a system” does not include the good faith acquisition of personal information by an employee or agent of a unit for the purposes of the unit, provided that the personal information is not used or subject to further unauthorized disclosure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a unit that collects computerized data that includes personal information of an individual discovers or is notified of a breach of the security of a system, the unit shall conduct in good faith a reasonable and prompt investigation to determine whether the unauthorized acquisition of personal information of the individual has resulted in or is likely to result in the misuse of the information.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if after the investigation is concluded, the unit determines that the misuse of the individual’s personal information has occurred or is likely to occur, the unit or the nonaffiliated third party, if authorized under a written contract or agreement with the unit, shall notify the individual of the breach.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Unless the unit or nonaffiliated third party knows that the encryption key has been broken, a unit or the nonaffiliated third party is not required to notify an individual under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the personal information of the individual was secured by encryption or redacted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the encryption key has not been compromised or disclosed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the notification required under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the unit conducts the investigation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If, after the investigation required under paragraph (1) of this subsection is concluded, the unit determines that notification under paragraph (2) of this subsection is not required, the unit shall maintain records that reflect its determination for 3 years after the determination is made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A nonaffiliated third party that maintains computerized data that includes personal information provided by a unit shall notify the unit of a breach of the security of a system if the unauthorized acquisition of the individual’s personal information has occurred or is likely to occur.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the notification required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the nonaffiliated third party discovers or is notified of the breach of the security of a system.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A nonaffiliated third party that is required to notify a unit of a breach of the security of a system under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall share with the unit information relating to the breach.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The notification required under subsection (b) of this section may be delayed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>if a law enforcement agency determines that the notification will impede a criminal investigation or jeopardize homeland or national security; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to determine the scope of the breach of the security of a system, identify the individuals affected, or restore the integrity of the system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If notification is delayed under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, notification shall be given as soon as reasonably practicable after the law enforcement agency determines that the notification will not impede a criminal investigation and will not jeopardize homeland or national security.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The notification required under subsection (b) of this section may be given:</text> <level label="1"> <text>by written notice sent to the most recent address of the individual in the records of the unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by electronic mail to the most recent electronic mail address of the individual in the records of the unit if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the individual has expressly consented to receive electronic notice; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the unit conducts its duties primarily through Internet account transactions or the Internet;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>by telephonic notice, to the most recent telephone number of the individual in the records of the unit; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>by substitute notice as provided in subsection (f) of this section if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the unit demonstrates that the cost of providing notice would exceed $100,000 or that the affected class of individuals to be notified exceeds 175,000; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the unit does not have sufficient contact information to give notice in accordance with item (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Substitute notice under subsection (e)(4) of this section shall consist of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>electronically mailing the notice to an individual entitled to notification under subsection (b) of this section if the unit has an electronic mail address for the individual to be notified;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conspicuous posting of the notice on the website of the unit if the unit maintains a website; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>notification to appropriate media.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The notification required under subsection (b) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to the extent possible, a description of the categories of information that were, or are reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person, including which of the elements of personal information were, or are reasonably believed to have been, acquired;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contact information for the unit making the notification, including the unit’s address, telephone number, and toll–free telephone number if one is maintained;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the toll–free telephone numbers and addresses for the major consumer reporting agencies; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>the toll–free telephone numbers, addresses, and website addresses for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Federal Trade Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Office of the Attorney General; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a statement that an individual can obtain information from these sources about steps the individual can take to avoid identity theft.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Before giving the notification required under subsection (b) of this section, a unit shall provide notice of a breach of the security of a system to the Office of the Attorney General.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a unit, as defined in § 10–1301(f)(1) of this subtitle, shall provide notice of a breach of security to the Department of Information Technology.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A waiver of any provision of this section is contrary to public policy and is void and unenforceable.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Compliance with this section does not relieve a unit from a duty to comply with any other requirements of federal law relating to the protection and privacy of personal information.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1306" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <text>The provisions of this subtitle are exclusive and shall preempt any provision of local law.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1307" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <level label="a"> <text>If a unit is required under § 10–1305 of this subtitle to give notice of a breach of the security of a system to 1,000 or more individuals, the unit also shall notify, without unreasonable delay, each consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis, as defined by 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(p), of the timing, distribution, and content of the notices.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not require the inclusion of the names or other personal identifying information of recipients of notices of the breach of the security of a system.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1308" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Protection of Information by Government Agencies"> <text>A unit or nonaffiliated third party that complies with § 501(b) of the federal Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act; 15 U.S.C. § 6801, § 216 of the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; 15 U.S.C. § 1681w Disposal of Records; the federal Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards; and the federal Interagency Guidance on Response Programs for Unauthorized Access to Customer Information and Customer Notice; and any revisions, additions, or substitutions of those enactments, shall be deemed to be in compliance with this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-13A-01" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13A" subtitle_name="Protection of Personally Identifiable Information by Public Institutions of Higher Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Breach of the security of a system” means the unauthorized acquisition of personally identifiable information maintained by a public institution of higher education that creates a reasonable risk of harm to the individual whose personally identifiable information was subject to unauthorized acquisition.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Breach of the security of a system” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the good faith acquisition of personally identifiable information by an employee or agent of a public institution of higher education for the purposes of the public institution of higher education, provided that the personally identifiable information is not used or subject to further unauthorized disclosure; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>personally identifiable information that was secured by encryption or redacted and for which the encryption key has not been compromised or disclosed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Encryption” means the protection of data in electronic or optical form, in storage or in transit, using a technology that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is certified to meet or exceed the level that has been adopted by the Federal Information Processing Standards issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>renders such data indecipherable without an associated cryptographic key necessary to enable decryption of such data.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Individual” means a natural person.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Legitimate basis” means a public institution of higher education has a contractual need, public interest purpose, business purpose, or legal obligation for processing or that the individual has consented to the processing of the individual’s personally identifiable information by the public institution of higher education.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Personally identifiable information” means any information that, taken alone or in combination with other information, enables the identification of an individual, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a full name;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a Social Security number;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a driver’s license number, state identification card number, or other individual identification number;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a passport number;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>biometric information including an individual’s physiological, biological, or behavioral characteristics, including an individual’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), that can be used, singly or in combination with each other or with other identifying data, to establish individual identity;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>geolocation data;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Internet or other electronic network activity information, including browsing history, search history, and information regarding an individual’s interaction with an Internet website, application, or advertisement; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>a financial or other account number, a credit card number, or a debit card number that, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password, would permit access to an individual’s account.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Personally identifiable information” does not include data rendered anonymous through the use of techniques, including obfuscation, delegation and redaction, and encryption, so that the individual is no longer identifiable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Processing” means any operation or set of operations that is performed on personally identifiable information or on a set of personally identifiable information, whether or not by automated means, including collection, recording, organization, structuring, storage, adaption or alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination, or otherwise making available, alignment or combination, restriction, erasure, or destruction.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Public institution of higher education” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the constituent institutions of the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Morgan State University;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>St. Mary’s College of Maryland; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a community college established under Title 16 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Reasonable security procedures and practices” means security protections that align with the current standard of care within similar commercial environments and with applicable State and federal laws.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Records” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“System” means an electronic or other physical medium maintained or administered by a public institution of higher education and used on a procedural basis to store information in the ordinary course of the business of the public institution of higher education.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-13A-02" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13A" subtitle_name="Protection of Personally Identifiable Information by Public Institutions of Higher Education"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not apply to personally identifiable information that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, State, or local government records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an individual has consented to have publicly disseminated or listed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>except for a medical record that a person is prohibited from redisclosing under § 4–302(d) of the Health – General Article, is disclosed in accordance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>is disclosed in accordance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>is clinical information; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>is information related to sponsored research.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Compliance with this subtitle does not authorize a public institution of higher education to fail to comply with any other requirements of State or federal law relating to the protection and privacy of personally identifiable information.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-13A-03" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13A" subtitle_name="Protection of Personally Identifiable Information by Public Institutions of Higher Education"> <level label="a"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall review and designate systems within the public institution of higher education as systems of record based on the following criteria:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the risk posed to individuals by the personally identifiable information processed and stored on the systems;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the relationship of the systems to the overall function of the public institution of higher education; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the technical and financial feasibility of implementing privacy controls and services within the system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall develop and adopt a privacy governance program to govern each system of record that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>identifies and documents the purpose of the public institution of higher education in processing personally identifiable information;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information to third parties, other than those third parties processing personally identifiable information on behalf of the public institution of higher education, unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the individual consents to disclosure of the information; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the public institution of higher education determines that disclosure of the information is in the best interest of the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>requires all agreements entered into with third parties on or after October 1, 2024, to include language requiring the third party to support the privacy governance program of the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>ensures that a third party processing personally identifiable information on behalf of the public institution of higher education acts in accordance with the privacy governance program of the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>takes reasonable steps to ensure that personally identifiable information processed by the public institution of higher education is accurate, relevant, timely, and complete;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>takes reasonable steps to ensure that requests to access, modify, or delete information and requests to opt out of the sharing of information with third parties are made by the subject of the personally identifiable information or the subject’s agent;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>takes reasonable steps to limit the personally identifiable information collected to that information necessary to address the purpose of the collection;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>implements a process to provide individuals with access to the personally identifiable information relating to the individual held and processed by the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>provides individuals with a process to request a correction to personally identifiable information relating to the individual;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>in the case of a disagreement between the public institution of higher education and an individual over the accuracy of personally identifiable information relating to the individual, provides a means for the individual to document the disagreement and produce the documentation of the disagreement whenever the disputed information is produced;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>provides a process for individuals to request the deletion of personally identifiable information relating to the individual that the public institution of higher education does not have a legitimate basis to process;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>provides a process for individuals to opt out of sharing personally identifiable information relating to the individual with third parties, if the public institution of higher education would not have a legitimate basis to process the information; and</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>provides a process for the public institution of higher education to consider requests made under this subsection that allows the public institution of higher education to deny a request if the public institution of higher education reasonably concludes it has a legitimate basis for processing the personally identifiable information or if the request is not technically or financially feasible.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall develop and adopt an information security and risk management program for the protection of personally identifiable information that shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>implement reasonable security procedures and practices, compatible with applicable federal and State standards and guidelines, to ensure that the risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all personally identifiable information is properly managed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>be periodically assessed by a third party assessor with expertise in information security;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>be approved by an appropriate senior official of the public institution of higher education with authority to accept risk for the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>require that contracts with third parties include provisions to ensure that third parties that process personally identifiable information on behalf of the public institution of higher education maintain appropriate security controls commensurate with the risk posed to the individuals by the personally identifiable information; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>ensure that any breaches by the public institution of higher education or a third party acting on behalf of the public institution of higher education are properly documented, investigated, and reported to appropriate authorities within the public institution of higher education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall publish a privacy notice on the website of the public institution of higher education that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>written in plain language; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>directly accessible from the homepage and any of the webpages of the public institution of higher education that are used to collect personally identifiable information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice published under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the types of personally identifiable information collected by the public institution of higher education;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the purpose of the collection, use, and sharing of personally identifiable information by the public institution of higher education; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the processes by which an individual may request:</text> <level label="1"> <text>to have personally identifiable information related to the individual corrected;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to have personally identifiable information related to the individual deleted;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>information on the sharing of personally identifiable information by the public institution of higher education with third parties, including a listing of the third parties, a listing of the information shared, and the purpose of sharing the information; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>to opt out of the sharing of personally identifiable information with a third party.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall ensure access controls are in place to address any security risks posed by providing the notice required under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>When a public institution of higher education is destroying records of an individual that contain personally identifiable information of the individual, the public institution of higher education shall take reasonable steps to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the personally identifiable information, taking into account:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the sensitivity of the records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the nature of the public institution of higher education and its operations;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the costs and benefits of different destruction methods; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>available technology.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Each public institution of higher education shall develop and adopt a policy establishing an appropriate remedy for individuals whose personally identifiable information has been affected by a breach.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-13A-04" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="13A" subtitle_name="Protection of Personally Identifiable Information by Public Institutions of Higher Education"> <level label="a"> <text>If a public institution of higher education collects personally identifiable information of an individual and discovers or is notified of a breach of the security of a system, the public institution of higher education shall conduct in good faith a reasonable and prompt investigation to determine whether the unauthorized acquisition of personally identifiable information of the individual has occurred.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If, after the investigation is concluded, the public institution of higher education determines that a breach of the security of the system has occurred, the public institution of higher education or a third party, if authorized under a written contract or agreement with the public institution of higher education, shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>notify the individual of the breach; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notify the Chief Information Officer of the public institution of higher education of the breach.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A notification required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include, to the extent possible, a description of the categories of personally identifiable information that were, or are reasonably believed to have been, acquired by an unauthorized person, including which of the elements of personally identifiable information were, or are reasonably believed to have been, acquired.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the public institution of higher education determines that a breach of the security of the system has occurred involving the personally identifiable information of 1,000 or more individuals, the public institution of higher education shall post a notice on the same webpage as the privacy notice website of the public institution of higher education:</text> <level label="i"> <text>describing the breach; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>that remains publicly available on the website for at least 1 year from the date on which notice was sent to individuals affected by the breach.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1401" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Drug crime” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a violation of Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a violation of Title 12 of the Criminal Procedure Article; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a violation of the law of any other jurisdiction if the prohibited conduct would be a violation of Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article or Title 12 of the Criminal Procedure Article if committed in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“License” means a license, permit, certification, registration, or other legal authorization:</text> <level label="i"> <text>issued or granted to an individual by a licensing authority; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>required for engaging in employment, an occupation, or a profession.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“License” includes a commercial driver’s license issued under Title 16, Subtitle 8 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, “license” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a license to drive a motor vehicle issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration under Title 16 of the Transportation Article; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the registration of an agent, issuer agent, or investment advisor representative under the Maryland Securities Act and regulations adopted under that Act.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Licensee” means a holder of a license issued by a licensing authority.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Licensing authority” means an agency of the State that issues a license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1402" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, as a condition on the issuance or renewal of a license, a licensing authority may require an individual applying for a license to disclose whether the individual has been convicted of a drug crime committed on or after January 1, 1991.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to § 10–1405 of this subtitle, if an individual applying for a license has been convicted of a drug crime committed on or after January 1, 1991, a licensing authority may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>refuse to issue a license to the individual; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>issue a license to the individual subject to any terms and conditions that the licensing authority considers appropriate under § 10–1404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A licensing authority may suspend or revoke a licensee’s license if the licensee fails to disclose information that the licensing authority requires under subsection (a) of this section, unless the licensee shows good cause for the failure to disclose.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a licensing authority, on or before January 1, 1990, required an applicant for an initial license or a license renewal to disclose a criminal record or prior offense related to a controlled dangerous substance, this section may not be construed to prohibit the licensing authority from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>continuing to require an applicant to disclose a criminal record or prior offense related to a controlled dangerous substance, regardless of the date of the offense; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>taking any action authorized by law, including refusing to issue a license, if the applicant:</text> <level label="i"> <text>discloses a criminal record or prior offense related to a controlled dangerous substance; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>wrongfully conceals a criminal record or prior offense related to a controlled dangerous substance.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1403" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <text>Subject to § 10–1405 of this subtitle, if a licensing authority receives notification under § 5–810 of the Criminal Law Article that a licensee has been convicted of a drug crime committed on or after January 1, 1991, the licensing authority may:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>reprimand the licensee;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>place the licensee on probation for a reasonable period of time; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>suspend or revoke the license;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>assess the licensee, in accordance with applicable regulations, all or part of the cost of any disciplinary proceeding and sanction; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>impose any other sanction or take any other action authorized by law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1404" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <level label="a"> <text>If a licensee is placed on probation under § 10–1402 or § 10–1403 of this subtitle, the licensing authority may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>require the licensee to submit to periodic drug testing during the period of probation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require the licensee to participate in appropriate counseling or treatment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>impose any other reasonable term or condition of probation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a licensee who is on probation violates any condition of probation, the licensing authority may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>revoke the probation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>suspend or revoke the licensee’s license; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>impose additional terms of probation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1405" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a licensing authority shall comply with Subtitle 2 of this title before taking any action under this subtitle:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in regard to an initial license application or an application for a license renewal; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>against a licensee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Rules shall govern in the case of a lawyer or an applicant for admission to the bar.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In deciding whether to deny an application for a license or whether to impose license sanctions against a licensee and the nature of the sanctions, a licensing authority shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the relationship between the drug crime and the license, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the licensee’s ability to perform the tasks authorized by the license; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>whether the public will be protected if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in the case of an applicant, the license is issued; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in the case of a licensee, the license is not suspended or revoked;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the nature and circumstances of the drug crime;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the date of the drug crime, if an individual is applying for a license or license renewal; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other relevant information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a licensing authority decides that sanctions against a licensee may be appropriate, before imposing sanctions the licensing authority:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall consider the impact any sanctions may have on third persons; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to protect the rights of innocent third persons, may take any action that is in the interests of justice and that is not inconsistent with this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a licensing authority decides to suspend or revoke a license, the licensing authority may grant the licensee a reasonable time period to complete any existing contracts.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1406" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <level label="a"> <text>If an individual who is convicted of a drug crime committed on or after January 1, 1991, holds a commercial driver’s license, the Motor Vehicle Administration may disqualify the individual from driving a commercial motor vehicle or take any other action authorized under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Motor Vehicle Administration disqualifies an individual from driving a commercial motor vehicle under this subtitle, the Motor Vehicle Administration shall issue a noncommercial driver’s license to the individual if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the individual surrenders the commercial driver’s license; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the individual’s driving privilege is not otherwise refused, suspended, revoked, or canceled in the State or any other state.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to limit the authority of the Motor Vehicle Administration to disqualify an individual from driving a commercial motor vehicle or taking any other action required or authorized under the Maryland Vehicle Law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1407" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Licensing -- Controlled Dangerous Substance Offenses"> <text>Each licensing authority may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14A-01" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14A"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“License” means a license, permit, certification, registration, or other legal authorization required for engaging in an occupation or a profession.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Licensing authority” means an agency of the State that issues a license.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Member of the Foreign Service” means an individual who is employed in the Foreign Service of the United States.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14A-02" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14A"> <text>This subtitle does not apply with respect to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an occupation or a profession for which an individual who holds a license issued by another state may practice in the State under an interstate compact; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the practice of law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14A-03" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14A"> <level label="a"> <text>A member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service who relocates to the State because of an assignment or detail to the State and holds a license issued by another state may practice in the State under the license for the duration of the assignment or detail if the member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provides the licensing authority with a copy of the notification of assignment or detail;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>remains in good standing with the regulatory authority that issued the license;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>remains in good standing in all states in which the applicant holds or has held a license of a similar scope of practice and in the same discipline;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>has actively used the license during the 2 years immediately preceding the relocation; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>complies with the standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements required by the licensing authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service is authorized to practice in the State under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service may practice under the license only in the discipline and to the extent of the scope of practice within which the license allows the member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service to practice in the other state; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the licensing authority may not require the member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service to obtain a license issued by the licensing authority unless the member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service is seeking to practice in a different discipline or within a different scope of practice than that described in item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14A-04" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14A"> <text>A member of the Foreign Service or the spouse of a member of the Foreign Service that is authorized to practice under § 10–14A–03 of this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may practice to the same extent and in the same capacity as an individual licensed by a licensing authority in the State, including supervising an individual who is licensed in the State who is required to practice under supervision; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is subject to the same disciplinary authority as an individual licensed by a licensing authority in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14A-05" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14A"> <text>Each licensing authority may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14B-01" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14B"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Active service member” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“License” means a license, permit, certification, registration, or other legal authorization required for engaging in an occupation or a profession.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Licensing authority” means an agency of the State that issues a license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14B-02" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14B"> <text>This subtitle does not apply with respect to an occupation or a profession for which an individual who holds a license issued by another state may practice in the State under an interstate compact.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14B-03" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14B"> <level label="a"> <text>An active service member or the spouse of an active service member who relocates to the State because of orders for service and holds a license issued by another state may practice in the State under the license for the duration of the orders if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the active service member or spouse of an active service member submits an application to the licensing authority that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>proof of the orders;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the applicant is the spouse of an active service member, a copy of the marriage certificate; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a notarized affidavit affirming, under the penalty of law, that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the applicant is the individual described and identified in the application;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>all statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the applicant has read and understands the requirements to receive a license and the scope of practice of the State;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the applicant certifies that the applicant meets and will comply with the requirements and scope of practice described in item 3 of this item; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the applicant is in good standing in all states in which the applicant holds or has held a license;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicant is in good standing with the regulatory authority that issued the license;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>no disciplinary action, including revocation, has been taken by a regulatory authority against the applicant regarding the license;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>no investigation relating to unprofessional conduct is pending against the applicant regarding the license; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the applicant has not voluntarily surrendered the license while under investigation for unprofessional conduct by a regulatory authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a licensing authority is required to consider whether a license is valid under subsection (a) of this section but cannot carry out the requirement during the 30 days immediately following the receipt of the application, the licensing authority may issue a temporary license to the applicant that confers the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a permanent license.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A licensing authority that receives an application submitted under subsection (a) of this section may conduct a criminal history records check of the applicant before authorizing the applicant to practice in the State under subsection (a) of this section or issuing a temporary license to the applicant under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If an active service member or spouse of an active service member is authorized to practice in the State under subsection (a) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the active service member or spouse of an active service member may practice under the license only in the discipline and to the extent of the scope of practice within which the license allows the active service member or spouse of an active service member to practice in the other state; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the licensing authority may not require the active service member or spouse of an active service member to obtain a license issued by the licensing authority unless the active service member or spouse of an active service member is seeking to practice in a different discipline or within a different scope of practice than that described in item (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14B-04" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14B"> <text>An active service member or spouse of an active service member that is authorized to practice under § 10–14B–03 of this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>may practice to the same extent and in the same capacity as an individual licensed by a licensing authority in the State, including supervising an individual who is licensed in the State who is required to practice under supervision; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is subject to the same disciplinary authority of a licensing authority as an individual licensed by the licensing authority in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-14B-05" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="14B"> <text>Each licensing authority may adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1501" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Open Data"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Council” means the Council for Open Data.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Data” means statistical or factual information that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>are in alphanumeric or geospatial form reflected in a list, table, graph, chart, map, or other nonnarrative format that can be digitally transmitted or processed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>are regularly created or maintained by or on behalf of a governmental entity; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>records a measurement, transaction, or determination or provide information on government services, initiatives, and resources related to the mission of the covered governmental entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Data” does not include draft versions of statistical or factual information that are used for internal analysis by a governmental entity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Data portal” means a website where governmental entities can post data sets and other data as identified by the Council.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Data set” means a named collection of related records maintained on a storage device, with the collection containing data organized or formatted in a specific or prescribed way.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Governmental entity” means a State or local entity.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>“Local entity” means a county, municipal corporation, bicounty or multicounty agency, public authority, special taxing district, or other political subdivision or unit of a political subdivision of this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Local entity” includes boards of education and library boards that receive funding from the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Mapping and geographic information systems portal” means a website that provides:</text> <level label="1"> <text>data regarding services provided by and policy initiatives of governmental entities; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>other data provided in geospatial form as identified by the Council.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>“Open data” means data that, consistent with any applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, policies, or other restrictions including requirements or rights associated with the data, a State entity:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has collected; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is permitted, required, or able to make available to the public.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Open data” includes contractual or other legal orders, restrictions, or requirements.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Open data” does not include data that if made public would:</text> <level label="i"> <text>violate another law or regulation that prohibits the data from being made public;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>endanger the public health, safety, or welfare;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>hinder the operation of government, including criminal and civil investigations;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>impose an undue financial, operational, or administrative burden on a State entity; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>disclose proprietary or confidential information.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Open data portal” means a mapping and geographic information systems portal or data portal.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“State entity” means a department, a board, a commission, an agency, or a subunit in the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1502" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Open Data"> <text>It is the policy of the State that open data be machine readable and released to the public in ways that make the data easy to find, accessible, and usable, including through the use of open data portals.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1503" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Open Data"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Council for Open Data.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Council consists of the following 11 members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one member of the House of Delegates of Maryland, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the State Chief Data Officer;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>three elected officials or employees from local entities who have knowledge of and interest in open data, appointed by the Governor in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>five members from the private, private utility, academic, or nonprofit sectors who have knowledge of and interest in open data, appointed by the Governor in accordance with subsection (e) of this section that include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>at least one member from the university sector;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least one member from the private sector; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>at least one member from the nonprofit sector.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a member of the Council is unable to attend a meeting of the Council, the member may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if the member is listed in subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section, designate a staff member who reports directly to the member to attend the meeting; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if the member is listed in subsection (b)(3) of this section, designate another senior management staff member of the agency or organization to attend the meeting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Of the three elected officials or employees from local entities appointed by the Governor under subsection (b)(4) of this section, one shall represent each of the following groups of counties:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allegany County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Garrett County, and Washington County;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Charles County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and St. Mary’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Harford County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to members of the Council appointed under subsection (b)(4) and (5) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The term of a member is 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</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 and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member may not serve more than two consecutive terms.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Governor may remove a member for neglect of duty, incompetence, or misconduct.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Council may not receive compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The State Chief Data Officer is the Chair of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The staffing responsibilities of the Council shall be shared by the Department of Information Technology and any staff designated by the Governor.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Council may establish workgroups as necessary to complete the duties of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The Council shall meet at least twice each year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1504" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Open Data"> <level label="a"> <text>The Council shall promote the policy established under § 10–1502 of this subtitle by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>providing guidance and policy recommendations and when appropriate recommend legislation and regulations for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>procedures, standards, and other deliverables for open data, including for open data portals;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>promotion, advertising, and marketing of open data; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>best practices for sharing open data while taking into account privacy and security concerns;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>advising on data initiatives and priorities;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>identifying and exploring the means by which partnerships may be developed and strengthened to connect Maryland data with communities and social service organizations;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>coordinating the appropriate staff at each State entity for the development, maintenance, and use of open data and open data portals;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>identifying the collective cost of operating and investing in open data and funding mechanisms to support open data; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>advising the Governor and General Assembly on budget matters related to open data;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>inviting and encouraging local entities and the legislative and judicial branches to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>use open data portals established by State entities;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>create their own open data portals; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>adopt policies consistent with the policy established under § 10–1502 of this subtitle;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>establishing a plan for providing all open data to the public at no cost;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>advocating for sound records management and data preservation practices; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>making recommendations to ensure that the purchase of new data processing devices, systems, and software by the State includes a review of compliance with the open data policy established under § 10–1502 of this subtitle and interoperability with current technology used by the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before January 10 of each year, the Council shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, on the activities of the Council for the previous year and any recommendations for legislation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1601" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Electronic” means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Legal material” means, whether or not in effect, the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Maryland Constitution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Session Laws;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Code of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Maryland Rules;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the Journal of the Senate of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Journal of the House of Delegates of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>a reported decision of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Supreme Court of Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Appellate Court of Maryland;</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>an opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>the Code of Maryland Regulations;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>a final decision in a contested case issued by a unit of State government under the Administrative Procedure Act; or</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>the Maryland Register.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Official publisher” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the Maryland Constitution, the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for the Session Laws, the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>for the Code of Maryland, the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>for the Maryland Rules, the Supreme Court of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>for the Journal of the Senate of Maryland, the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>for the Journal of the House of Delegates of Maryland, the Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>for a reported decision of a court listed in subsection (c)(7) of this section, the Supreme Court of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>for an opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Attorney General;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>for the Code of Maryland Regulations, the Division of State Documents;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>for a final decision in a contested case, the unit of State government that issued the decision; or</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>for the Maryland Register, the Division of State Documents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Publish” means to display, present, or release to the public, or cause to be displayed, presented, or released to the public, by the official publisher.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Unit” means an executive agency, a department, a board, a commission, or any other instrumentality of the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1602" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <text>This subtitle applies to all legal material in an electronic record that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designated as official under § 10–1603 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>first published electronically on or after October 1, 2017.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1603" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>If an official publisher publishes legal material only in an electronic record, the official publisher shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designate the electronic record as official; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>comply with §§ 10–1604, 10–1606, and 10–1607 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An official publisher that publishes legal material in an electronic record and in a record other than an electronic record may designate the electronic record as official if the publisher complies with §§ 10–1604, 10–1606, and 10–1607 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1604" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An official publisher of legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official under § 10–1603 of this subtitle shall authenticate the electronic record.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To authenticate an electronic record under subsection (a) of this section, the official publisher shall provide a method for a user to determine that the electronic record received by the user from the official publisher is unaltered from the official electronic record published by the official publisher.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1605" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>Legal material in an electronic record that is authenticated under § 10–1604 of this subtitle is presumed to be an accurate copy of the legal material.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If another state has adopted a law substantially similar to this subtitle, legal material in an electronic record that is designated as official and authenticated by the official publisher in that state is presumed to be an accurate copy of the legal material.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A party contesting the authentication of legal material in an electronic record authenticated under § 10–1604 of this subtitle has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the record is not authentic.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1606" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>An official publisher of legal material in an electronic record that is or was designated as official under § 10–1603 of this subtitle shall provide for the preservation and security of the record in an electronic form or a form that is not electronic.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If legal material is preserved under subsection (a) of this section in an electronic record, the official publisher shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ensure the integrity of the record;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide for backup and disaster recovery of the record;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>ensure the continuing usability of the material; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>deliver a copy to the State Archives.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1607" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <text>An official publisher of legal material in an electronic record that is or was designated as official under § 10–1603 of this subtitle shall ensure that the legal material is reasonably available for use by the public on a permanent basis.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1608" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <text>In implementing this subtitle, an official publisher of legal material in an electronic record shall consider:</text> <level label="1"> <text>standards and practices of other jurisdictions;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the most recent standards regarding the authentication of, preservation and security of, and public access to legal material in an electronic record and other electronic records, as adopted by national standard–setting bodies;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the needs of users of legal material in an electronic record;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the view of governmental officials and entities and other interested persons; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>to the extent practicable, methods and technologies for the authentication of, preservation and security of, and public access to legal material that are compatible with methods and technologies used by other official publishers in the State and in other states that have adopted a law substantially similar to this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1609" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <text>In applying and construing this subtitle, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact laws substantially similar to this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1610" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this subtitle modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>modify, limit, or supersede 15 U.S.C. § 7001(c); or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C. § 7003(b).</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1611" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act"> <text>This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act.</text> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1701" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “member” means an individual appointed for a fixed term to a board, committee, commission, task force, or workgroup created by State law.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to the removal or suspension of a member from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a standing committee, as defined in § 2–101 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a committee established under Title 2 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, a member of a board, committee, commission, task force, or workgroup created by State law may be removed or suspended for misconduct, incompetence, neglect of duties, or other good cause by the individual or entity that appointed the member.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an individual or entity that appointed a member may remove or suspend the member in accordance with subsection (c) of this section only after:</text> <level label="i"> <text>consultation with the chair of the board, committee, commission, task force, or workgroup; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the member has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard regarding the reason for removal or suspension.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The requirements of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection do not apply if the member being removed or suspended is the chair of the board, committee, commission, task force, or workgroup.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Nothing in this section is intended to limit the rights of a member to express the member’s views on matters of public concern to the fullest extent protected for a public official, as defined in § 5–101 of the General Provisions Article, by the U.S. Constitution or by the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsg" article_name="State Government" number="10-1702" title_number="10" title_name="Governmental Procedures" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Governmental entity” means a unit or instrumentality of State or local government.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Personal record” has the meaning stated in § 4–501 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Sensitive data” has the meaning stated in § 14–4701 of the Commercial Law Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, on or before July 1, 2026, each governmental entity, in consultation with the Department of Information Technology, shall develop and publish procedures that prevent the sale and redisclosure of personal records and sensitive data provided or made available by the governmental entity in a way that harms the privacy of residents of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The procedures required and published under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall address:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any possible contractual limitations on the sale or redisclosure of personal records or sensitive data that a governmental entity may place on a person who receives personal records or sensitive data that are provided or made available by the governmental entity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>considerations regarding:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the threat to privacy posed by data brokers who utilize personal records or sensitive data for commercial purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the risk that personal records or sensitive data may be used for purposes other than the purposes for which the personal records or sensitive data were developed or collected; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any other considerations necessary to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>protect the privacy of residents of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>discourage the development of a secondary commercial market for personal records or sensitive data that are provided or made available by a governmental entity; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>limit a person who receives personal records or sensitive data that are provided or made available by a governmental entity from selling or redisclosing the data with other persons.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before July 1, 2026, each governmental entity shall, in accordance with § 2–1257 of this article, submit to the General Assembly a copy of the procedures developed under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </section>