These regulations are promulgated pursuant to State Government Article, § 10-122, Annotated Code of Maryland, for the purpose of establishing procedures by which the public may petition the Department of Housing and Community Development for the adoption of regulations. In these regulations, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Department” means the Department of Housing and Community Development. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Community Development or the Secretary's designee. Any interested person may file a petition with the Secretary requesting the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any regulation. The petition shall: Be in writing; Contain a clear and concise statement of the regulation, amendment, or repeal which is sought; Contain a statement of reasons in support of the proposed regulation change; and Contain the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with the Secretary for the Secretary's consideration and disposition. The time period for response to a petition begins when the petition is received by the Secretary. Within 60 days after receipt of the petition, the Secretary shall either deny the petition in writing, stating the reasons for the denial, or initiate the procedures for adoption of the regulation as submitted or with appropriate modifications as determined by the Secretary to be in the best interest of the Department. The Department shall maintain a file of all petitions submitted and the responses. This file shall be available for public inspection to the extent permitted by law. State Government Article, §10-122, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: November 14, 1988 (15:23 Md. R. 2656)