<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="05" heading="Public Information" title_num="11" subtitle_num="12">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Applicant” means the person requesting inspection of public records.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Custodian” means an authorized person employed by the Division, having personal custody and control of records of an individual in an occupation or profession licensed by the Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Division” means the Administration’s Division of Business Licensing and Consumer Services.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>“Occupation or profession” means a business, an occupation, or a profession for which an individual would be required to be licensed by the Administration under Transportation Article, Title 15, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>“Person in interest” means the person that is the subject of the public record.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Inspection of Occupational or Professional Records.">
    <text>Without a compelling public purpose, the custodian shall deny inspection of that part of a record that contains information about the licensing of an occupation or profession except as provided by General Provisions Article, §4-333(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Exception for Compelling Public Purpose.">
    <text>The custodian may permit inspection of records other than those allowed under General Provisions Article, §4-333(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, if a compelling public purpose can be demonstrated.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Compelling Public Purpose Demonstrated.">
    <text>A compelling public purpose can be demonstrated under General Provisions Article, §4-333(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, if the applicant:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Has entered into, or contemplates entering into, a contract with the person in interest;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Is a federal, state, or local governmental agency;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Has filed a complaint with the Administration against the person in interest;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Has filed a surety bond claim against the surety of the person in interest; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Is investigating a claim against the surety for a bond provided by the person in interest.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Access to Records When Compelling Public Purpose Demonstrated.">
    <text>If the custodian finds that a compelling purpose has been demonstrated and allows inspection of records other than those permitted by General Provisions Article, §4-333(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, the custodian may only permit inspection of the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>If the applicant demonstrates a compelling public purpose under Regulation .04A, D, or E, the custodian may disclose records of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The number, nature, and administrative status of complaints filed with the Administration against the person in interest;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The number, nature, and status of claims filed with the surety against the person in interest; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Reports of investigations and the results of those investigations pertaining to the complaints or claims disclosed under §A(1) or (2), of this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>If the applicant demonstrates a compelling public purpose under Regulation .04C, the custodian may disclose only those records regarding information which pertains to the complaint filed by the applicant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If the applicant demonstrates a compelling public purpose under Regulation .04B, the custodian shall permit inspection pursuant to Transportation Article, §12-111(b)(3), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Disclosure Subject to Public Information Act.">
    <text>Disclosure of a record allowed for under this chapter is subject to the provisions of General Provisions Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">General Provisions Article, Title 4; Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 12-111; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: August 20, 1990 (17:16 Md. R. 1991)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01B amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .02 amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended effective February 24, 2020 (47:4 Md. R. 261)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>