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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 12.02.07.04" title_num="12" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="07" heading="Access to Records.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Division shall compile and maintain a complete record and history of an inmate.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Division shall also record a full and accurate description of an inmate committed to it, including photographs.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Division shall seek the cooperation of State and local officials and agencies in order to obtain required information. Division staff shall promptly request the information, records, and reports from these officials to ensure that this section is complied with.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A warden may grant access to an inmate's records, except for a presentence investigation, without a written request, to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A provider of medical services, if the record is necessary to assure medical care;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The inmate's attorney;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An individual authorized by court order;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An individual authorized by law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A Maryland judge; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A State's attorney.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A warden may grant access to an inmate's records, except for a presentence investigation, with a written request, to an:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Employee of a State department or agency if the request is in the furtherance of the employee's lawful duties;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Employee of a State, federal, or local law enforcement agency, if the request is in the furtherance of the employee's lawful duties; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inmate or individual who has the written authorization of the inmate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that before granting access to an individual identified in §§D and E of this regulation, except a Maryland judge or a State's attorney, a warden shall also be satisfied that the records:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall be used only for legitimate purposes of the individual or agency receiving them and not for an improper or unauthorized purpose; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not be further disseminated to an individual or agency not authorized to receive them.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that a warden grants access to an inmate's presentence investigation, upon request, to the inmate's attorney or to a State's attorney. The Commissioner shall ensure that a warden denies other requests for access to an inmate's presentence investigation unless the access is specifically granted by a court order or the access is requested for the use of a correctional institution.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Records are reviewed in the presence of an institutional employee;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A charge authorized by law is made for all photocopies provided; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A log containing the following is maintained:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Date of review,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Name of inmate,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Commitment number of the inmate,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Name of the person requesting access,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Reason for the request, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Warden's signature for each approved request for access to inmate records.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Attorney Access to Base File Information.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An attorney shall provide the Commissioner with a minimum of 24 hours notice in writing. A specific reason for the request shall be stated by the attorney. Merely noting “legal” is insufficient.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Before review, the attorney shall provide the warden with an authorization for release of records form signed by the inmate.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall ensure that an attorney is required to show proper identification before access is permitted.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An attorney may review only those records for which the request has been made in accordance with this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If the records are to be reviewed by an employee or agent of the attorney, the Commissioner shall ensure that proper identification accompanies the employee and can be produced upon request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Records shall be reviewed in the presence of an institutional employee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Medical records which are the property of the Division are maintained by an outside medical provider. A request for these records shall be made in writing directly to the medical provider.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Inmate Access to Base File Information.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An inmate may obtain access to base file information in accordance with procedures described in this section.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A request for records review shall be submitted in writing to the warden and an acknowledgement of a request received shall be sent to the inmate.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A review shall be scheduled within a reasonable time and conducted in the presence of Division staff.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The name of an inmate shall be placed on a list maintained by the records department for inmates requesting file review.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Records department personnel shall schedule records review.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The records department shall ensure that material to which an inmate may not have access is removed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>An inmate shall be permitted to review the inmate's base file once every 6 months, unless additional reviews are approved by the warden.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Inmate Access to Confidential Psychological Information.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An inmate may obtain access to confidential psychological information in the inmate's base file in accordance with procedures described in this section.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An inmate shall send a written request for access to the warden.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A warden shall review a request with the appropriate psychology staff and decide if access may be granted.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Access to psychological information may be denied by the warden if, in the opinion of the psychology staff, access to this information is psychologically contraindicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If access is denied, the warden shall ensure that a summary of the records that are compatible with the inmate's current level of functioning shall be prepared and made available.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>Fees.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The custodian of records shall collect a fee for copying and a fee for preparation of the materials from the requesting party. However, the custodian may not levy a preparation fee for the first 2 hours of official employee time that is needed to respond to a request. Copying and preparation fees shall be posted in the records department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A charge may not be made if the total amount of the fee is $1 or less.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commissioner may waive the fee if the waiver is in the public interest.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Photocopying will be done only after normal procedures have been followed for withdrawing money from the inmate's financial account or, in the case of outside parties, upon satisfactory arrangements for payment by the requesting party.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>Appeals.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If permission for access is granted, the records shall be reviewed in the presence of Division personnel. A record of this review shall be placed in the inmate's base file by records department personnel.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If permission is denied, the person making the request shall be notified in writing. This notification shall be made part of the inmate's base file. An appeal of the warden's decision to deny access may be made to the office of the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall make a final determination on the request in accordance with COMAR 12.11.02.11.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>