2016 Maryland Code
General Provisions
Title 4 - Public Information Act
Subtitle 1B - Public Access Ombudsman.
§ 4-1B-04. Duties.

(a) In general. -- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Ombudsman shall make reasonable attempts to resolve disputes between applicants and custodians relating to requests for public records under this title, including disputes over:

(1) the custodian's application of an exemption;

(2) redactions of information in the public record;

(3) the failure of the custodian to produce a public record in a timely manner or to disclose all records relevant to the request;

(4) overly broad requests for public records;

(5) the amount of time a custodian needs, given available staff and resources, to produce public records;

(6) a request for or denial of a fee waiver under § 4-206(e) of this title; and

(7) repetitive or redundant requests from an applicant.

(b) Prohibited and permitted disclosures. --

(1) When resolving disputes under this section, the Ombudsman may not:

(i) compel a custodian to disclose public records or redacted information in the custodian's physical custody to the Ombudsman or an applicant; or

(ii) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, disclose information received from an applicant or custodian without written consent from the applicant and custodian.

(2) The Ombudsman may disclose information received from an applicant or custodian to the assistant Attorney General assigned to the Office of the Ombudsman.