<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 15.01.04.15" title_num="15" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="04" heading="Fees.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The fee schedule for copying and certifying copies of public records of the Department is as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Copies.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The fee for each copy made by a standard printer or photocopying or scanning machine with the Department is 25 cents per page.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The fee for each copy made otherwise shall be based on the actual cost of reproduction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Certification of Copies. If a person requests that a copy of a public record be certified as a true copy, an additional fee of $1 per page (or if appropriate, per item) shall be charged.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Minimum Fee. No charge will be made if the total fee is $10 or less.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Notwithstanding §A of this regulation, if the fee for copies or certified copies of any public record of the Department is specifically set by a law other than the Act or this regulation, the custodian shall charge the prescribed fee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>If the custodian cannot copy a public record within the Department, the custodian shall make arrangements for the prompt reproduction of the record at public or private facilities outside the Department. The custodian shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Collect from the applicant a fee to cover the actual cost of reproduction; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Direct the applicant to pay the cost of reproduction directly to the facility making the copy.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Before copying a public record of the Department, the custodian shall estimate the cost of reproduction and either:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Obtain the agreement of the applicant to pay the cost; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Require prepayment of all or a portion of the cost.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Search and Preparation Fee.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as provided in §F of this regulation, the custodian may charge a reasonable fee for time that an official employee of the Department spends:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>To search for requested public records;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review requested public records for inspection and copying; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>To prepare public records for inspection and copying.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The custodian shall determine the fee under §E(1) of this regulation by multiplying the employee’s salary, prorated to an hourly basis, by the actual time attributable to the search for, review of, and preparation of public records for inspection and copying.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The custodian may not charge a fee under §E of this regulation for the first 2 hours spent searching for and preparing a public record for inspection.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Waiver or Reduction of Fee.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The official custodian may waive or reduce any fee set under this regulation if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The applicant requests a waiver; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Either:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The custodian determines that the waiver or reduction is in the public interest; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The applicant is indigent and files an affidavit verifying the facts that support a claim of indigency.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In determining whether a fee is in the public interest, the custodian shall consider, among other relevant factors, the ability of the applicant to pay the fee.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>If the applicant requests that copies of a public record be mailed or delivered to the applicant or to a third party, the custodian may charge the applicant for the cost of postage or delivery.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>