The public's right to information about government activities lies at the heart of a democratic government. Maryland's Public Information Act (PIA) grants the people of this State a broad right of access to public records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. Requests for public records always begin with a government agency (State, county, or municipal). See the General Information and FAQ's section of this page for additional guidance.
The nature of an issue will determine other services related to the PIA. Several offices and entities have a role in facilitating access to public information: the Public Access Ombudsman, the Public Information Act Compliance Board, and the Office of the Attorney General. Each of these offices is described following the general information regarding the Public Information Act, with links to their respective services.
Pursuant to Chapter 135 of the 2015 Laws of Maryland, the Office of the Attorney General completed its Final Report on the Implementation of the Public Information Act. The final report is available through the link below. Our Office is grateful for the efforts of the Maryland Association of Counties, the Maryland Municipal League, and representatives of the Press and open government communities, all of whom provided invaluable assistance as we formulated the conclusions set forth in the final report. Although the conclusions themselves are ours alone, the report would not have been possible without their hard work and input.
Final Report of the Office of the Attorney General on the Implementation of the Public Information Act
Chapter 135 of the 2015 Laws of Maryland (see § 3 for reporting provisions)
To submit or update an agency's Records Custodian Information—Effective October 1, 2015, each governmental unit that maintains public records must annually submit to the Office of the Attorney General the contact information for a Public Information Act Representative. The information must include the name of the governmental unit, the name of the PIA representative, telephone number, mailing address, and email and internet address. Agencies and governmental units should submit updates to their PIA contact information at piaopengov@oag.state.md.us.
The Public Access Ombudsman mediates disputes under the Public Information Act that a requester and a records custodian have been unable to resolve themselves. The Ombudsman does not accept PIA requests on behalf of agencies and cannot compel the parties to act in a particular way. The Ombudsman's duties focus solely on attempting to resolve disputes between a requester and a records custodian about a pending request for public information. The Office of the Public Access Ombudsman was created by State law in 2015 and operates independently of the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General appoints the Ombudsman and provides office space and staff support for the Ombudsman. See § 4-1B-01 et seq. of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code. Click here for more information about the Ombudsman and access to the Ombudsman's services.
The Public Access Ombudsman mediates disputes under the Public Information Act that a requester and a records custodian have been unable to resolve themselves. The Ombudsman does not accept PIA requests on behalf of agencies and cannot compel the parties to act in a particular way. The Ombudsman's duties focus solely on attempting to resolve disputes between a requester and a records custodian about a pending request for public information.
The Office of the Public Access Ombudsman was created by State law in 2015 and operates independently of the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General appoints the Ombudsman and provides office space and staff support for the Ombudsman. See § 4-1B-01 et seq. of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Code.
Click here for more information about the Ombudsman and access to the Ombudsman's services.
The PIA Compliance Board is an independent State entity, and its five members are appointed by the Governor. The Board hears and decides complaints involving allegations that a government custodian has imposed an unreasonable fee of more than $350 under the PIA. The Board cannot decide other issues that may arise between a requester and a custodian of records under the PIA. Click here for information about the PIA Compliance Board, including its procedures and meeting notices.
The PIA Compliance Board is an independent State entity, and its five members are appointed by the Governor. The Board hears and decides complaints involving allegations that a government custodian has imposed an unreasonable fee of more than $350 under the PIA. The Board cannot decide other issues that may arise between a requester and a custodian of records under the PIA.
Click here for information about the PIA Compliance Board, including its procedures and meeting notices.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) provides legal advice to all State agencies regarding their responsibilities under the Public Information Act. In addition, the OAG provides a Public Information Act Manual that contains the law itself, along with narrative descriptions of the manner in which the law applies to different types of requests. Included in the Manual are references to appellate decisions and sample letters (both for requests and responses). The Manual is available to the public on-line, and provides meaningful assistance to members of the public and records custodians. For the table of contents and access to the complete Manual, click here.To request public records from the Office of the Attorney General, send the request to the PIA representative for the Office: Janice Jewson, Executive Associate, Opinions & Advice Division200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202410-576-6327jjewson@oag.state.md.us (During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is preferable for requesters to submit their PIA requests by email, if possible. ) www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) provides legal advice to all State agencies regarding their responsibilities under the Public Information Act. In addition, the OAG provides a Public Information Act Manual that contains the law itself, along with narrative descriptions of the manner in which the law applies to different types of requests. Included in the Manual are references to appellate decisions and sample letters (both for requests and responses). The Manual is available to the public on-line, and provides meaningful assistance to members of the public and records custodians.
For the table of contents and access to the complete Manual, click here.
To request public records from the Office of the Attorney General, send the request to the PIA representative for the Office:
Janice Jewson, Executive Associate, Opinions & Advice Division200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202410-576-6327jjewson@oag.state.md.us (During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is preferable for requesters to submit their PIA requests by email, if possible. )
www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov
1-888-373-7888
233733
