<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 12.11.02.04" title_num="12" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="02" heading="Requesting to Inspect or Copy a Public Record.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Written Application. Unless exempt under State Government Article, §10-614(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland, a person requesting to inspect or copy a public record shall submit a written application to the custodian of the record to be inspected or copied.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Contents of Application to Inspect or Copy a Public Record. A person requesting to inspect or copy a public record shall submit a written application that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provides the person's name and address; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Identifies the record to be inspected or copied.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The applicant shall direct the application to the custodian of the record to be inspected or copied. If the custodian is unknown, the applicant may direct the request to the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Secretary; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Department's Principal Counsel.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If an application to inspect or copy a public record is received and the record requested is not under the charge of the receiving custodian, within 10 working days of receipt of the application, the receiving custodian shall notify the applicant:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>That the application has been misdirected; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>One of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If the proper custodian can be identified:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The name and address of that custodian; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>That the application was forwarded to the proper custodian; or</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the proper custodian cannot be identified, that the application was forwarded to the Office of the Secretary, where a designee shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Identify the proper custodian; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Notify the applicant as required under §D(2) of this regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>