<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 16.02.04.02" title_num="16" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="04" heading="Proceedings to be Public.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In General.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, all proceedings before the Secretary shall be open to the public.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Proceedings shall be closed to the public to the extent:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Necessary to preserve confidentiality provided by law for individuals or records; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Otherwise required by law.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>On motion or on the Secretary's own initiative, the Secretary may close all or any part of the proceedings for good cause shown.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Maintaining Order. The Secretary may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Remove individuals whose conduct impedes the orderly progress of the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Restrict attendance because of the physical limitations of the hearing facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Recording Equipment. Recording equipment (cameras, tape recorders, and other sound or video equipment) shall be excluded from the hearing room:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When required by law; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the Secretary determines that the use of this equipment may impede the orderly progress of the proceedings or otherwise interfere with the process.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Records. Unless otherwise provided by law, all documents, notices, and records in the Secretary's possession as a result of a contested-case proceeding are subject to inspection and copying under the Public Information Act (State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Part III, Annotated Code of Maryland), and COMAR16.03.03.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>