Maryland Public Information Act

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The Maryland Public Information Act is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels in Maryland. Statutes 10-611 through 10-628 of the Maryland legislature define the law.

The Maryland Open Meetings Act legislates the methods by which public meetings are conducted. Statute 10–501 of the Annoted Code of Maryland define the law.

Maryland's transparency report card

A 2008 study, BGA - Alper Integrity Index, conducted by the Better Government Association and sponsored by Alper Services, ranked Maryland #9 in the nation with an overall percentage of 58.30%. [1]

A 2007 study, Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests, conducted by BGA and the NFOIC, gave Maryland 62 points out of a possible 100, a letter grade of "D", and a ranking of 11 out of the 50 states.[2]

A 2002 study, Freedom of Information in the USA, conducted by IRE and BGA, ranked Maryland's law as the 29th worst in the country, giving it a letter grade of "D+".[3]

Public Records

Public records are defined by the Code of Maryland as ""Public records" means all paper, correspondence, forms, books, photographs, photostats, films, microfilms, sound recordings, maps, drawings, or other written documents, regardless of physical form or characteristics. Public records includes all copies made or received by the Department in connection with the transaction of public business and includes the salaries of all employees of the Department.".[4]

Open Meetings

The purpose of the Maryland Open Meetings Act reads as follows: " It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that, except in special and appropriate circumstances: (1) public business be performed in an open and public manner; and (2) citizens be allowed to observe: (i)the performance of public officials; and (ii)the deliberations and decisions that the making of public policy involves.".[5]

Who May Request Maryland Records?

Anyone may request public documents in Maryland. "All persons are entitled to have access to information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." [6]

For requester residency requirements in other states, see the list of who can make public record requests by state.

External Links

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Integrity Index available for download here
  2. ↑ Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests, 2007
  3. ↑ Freedom of Information in the USA, 2002
  4. ↑ Code of Maryland, 09.01.04.02
  5. ↑ Code of Maryland
  6. ↑ Maryland Code, search for 10-612
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