<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" citation="COMAR 14.37.01.01" title_num="14" subtitle_num="37" chapter_num="01" heading="Definitions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Act” means the Public Information Act, General Provisions Article, Title 4, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Applicant” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Custodian” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Dispute” means a point of contention between an applicant and a custodian arising from a request for public records under the Act, including those matters stated in General Provisions Article, §4-1B-04(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“Exemption” means a denial of inspection of a public record or part of a public record pursuant to General Provisions Article, Title 4, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“Final determination” means the written document issued by the Public Access Ombudsman pursuant to General Provisions Article, §4-1B-04(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, stating that a specific dispute has been resolved or partially resolved or not resolved, or other disposition as provided in Regulations .06, .07, and .09 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Identifying information” means any information that identifies a party or other person.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Mediation” has the meaning stated in Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-1801(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Mediation communication” has the meaning stated in Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-1801(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Mediation Confidentiality Act” means the Maryland Mediation Confidentiality Act, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, Title 3, Subtitle 18, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>“Mediation information” means all information made and received as part of the Ombudsman’s mediation process and the decision to participate in mediation, including documentary materials and mediation communications.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>“Mediator” has the meaning stated in Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-1801(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>“Office” means the Office of the Public Access Ombudsman.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>“Ombudsman” means the person appointed to the position of the Public Access Ombudsman pursuant to General Provisions Article, §4-1B-03, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(15)">
      <text>“Party” means a participant or potential participant in the Ombudsman’s mediation process, including an applicant and a custodian.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(16)">
      <text>“Public record” has the meaning stated in General Provisions Article, §4-101(k), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(17)">
      <text>“Sociological information” means any of the following information concerning a person that may be contained in a record of the Ombudsman:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Social security number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Driver’s license number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Personal mailing address;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Personal phone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Personal email address; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Date of birth.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(18)">
      <text>“Standards of Conduct for Mediators” means the Maryland Standards of Conduct for Mediators, Arbitrators and Other ADR Practitioners adopted by the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(19)">
      <text>“Written guidance” means nonbinding guidance that advises parties on the interpretation of the Act and the application of the Act to specific facts.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(20)">
      <text>“Written mediation agreement” means a written agreement between the Ombudsman and the parties to a mediation that provides the specific terms under which that particular mediation will proceed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>