<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 14.02.02.03" title_num="14" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="02" heading="Response to Complaint.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Upon receipt of a complaint, the Board shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Promptly send the complaint to the custodian identified in the complaint; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Request that the custodian send a response to the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A custodian shall file a written response to a complaint within 30 days after receiving the complaint and request for a response from the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Complaints Alleging that a Custodian Denied Inspection of a Public Record in Violation of the Act.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a complaint alleges that a custodian denied inspection of a public record in violation of the Act, the custodian’s response shall, to the extent relevant to the dispute:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Explain why denial was necessary;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Explain why redacting information would not address the reasons for denial;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provide the legal authority for the denial; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Without disclosing protected information or creating a descriptive index, provide a brief description of the undisclosed records that allows the Board to assess the applicability of the legal authority for the denial.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the custodian’s response to the applicant’s request for public records contains all of the information required by §C(1) of this regulation, then it is sufficient for the custodian to attach the response.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If a complaint alleges that a custodian charged an unreasonable fee or charged an unreasonable estimated fee of more than $350 under General Provisions Article, §4-206, Annotated Code of Maryland, the response shall, to the extent relevant to the dispute, include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The hourly salary rates for the staff who responded or who are likely to respond to the applicant’s request for a public record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The number of hours expended by each staff, or the number of hours the custodian anticipates will be expended by each staff, to respond to the applicant’s request for a public record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A description of the tasks each staff performed or is likely to perform to respond to the applicant’s request for public records; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>An explanation of how fees for reproduction of the records are calculated.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If a complaint alleges that a custodian failed to respond to a request for a public record within the time limits established by General Provisions Article, §4-203(a) or (d), Annotated Code of Maryland, the response shall, to the extent relevant to the dispute:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Provide the date and nature of correspondence with the applicant, if any;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Describe the circumstances that prevented the custodian from responding in a timely manner; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Explain how the custodian intends to respond to the applicant’s request for public records.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A custodian may not attach to its response records that it claims are confidential, privileged, or otherwise exempt from disclosure.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A custodian shall send a copy of the response to the applicant.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>