<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="17" heading="Public Access to Licensing Records" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="17">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Definitions.">
    <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>“Confirmed complaint” means a determination by the Department or office after an investigation that the violation of a regulation of this subtitle which was alleged in the complaint has occurred or is occurring.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>“Custodian of record” means an authorized individual employed by the Department or office who has physical custody and control of licensing records.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>“Licensing records” means all papers, computerized records, correspondence, forms, books, cards, photographs, photostats, films, microfilms, sound recordings, charts, maps, drawings, or other written documents, regardless of physical form or characteristics, maintained or stored by the Department or the office in connection with issuance of a letter of compliance under this subtitle.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>“Official custodian of record” means the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee who is responsible for the maintenance, care, and storage of licensing records.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>“Requester” means an individual, business, corporation, partnership, association, organization, or governmental agency which requests inspection of, or information from, licensing records.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>“Sociological information” means any of the following information about a licensee or employee of a licensee:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Social Security number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Personal address;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Personal telephone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Information regarding marital status, dependents, or relatives; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Information regarding employment status, including employment application.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>“Unsubstantiated complaint” means a complaint of an alleged violation of a regulation of this subtitle that the Department or office, after an investigation, has been unable to confirm as having occurred or to rule out as not having occurred.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Disclosure of Information from Licensing Records.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Except as prohibited or restricted by applicable law or regulation, the custodian of record may make the following information from licensing records available to a requester:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Findings of inspections conducted by the office in letter of compliance facilities;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Record of complaint forms pertaining to confirmed or unsubstantiated complaints;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Copies of letters of compliance, including those on provisional or conditional status;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Variances;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Correspondence and documents requiring abatement of noncompliances with the regulations of this subtitle, including compliance agreements;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Correspondence and documents pertaining to enforcement actions taken under this subtitle by the Department or office against a letter holder or child care facility, including denial letters, sanctions, emergency suspensions, and revocations; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>Any correspondence regarding requests for inspection of licensing records under this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Except as provided by other law, the custodian of record shall permit the licensee, or an authorized representative of the licensee, to inspect the licensee's own record.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The custodian of record may not disclose sociological information to a requester, except that this information may be disclosed:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>To public employees in the performance of their public duties;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>To parties litigating claims for unemployment insurance to the extent the sociological information would be available to private parties in litigation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>When required by a duly issued subpoena.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Request for Information from Licensing Records.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A written request shall be filed with the custodian of record in order to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Conduct a physical inspection of licensing records; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Obtain a written or electronic:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Copy of licensing records; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Report of information from licensing records that the official custodian of records does not already make available to the general public.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The written request shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Contain the applicant’s name, address, and telephone number; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Reasonably identify by brief description the record sought.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The custodian of record may charge a reasonable fee for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The reproduction of documents sought;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Official or employee time expended searching for requested records; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Any time expended in preparing records for inspection or copying.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Compelling Public Purpose.">
    <text>A compelling public purpose shall exist for the custodian of record to permit inspection of licensing records other than the records specified under General Provisions Article, §4-333(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Education Article, §§9.5-401, 9.5-404, 9.5-405, 9.5-409, 9.5-411, and 9.5-413—9.5.418; General Provisions Article, §4-333; Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of MarylandAgency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: October 20, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1827)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 16)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 16)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>