Maryland – Page 2 – National Freedom of Information Coalition

Government transparency job left vacant in Maryland

Posted on

When a Towson University student journalist asked for emails about how school officials dealt with allegations that someone had videotaped the swim team getting undressed, university officials asked him to pay more than $2,000 for the records request.

The student, Cody Boteler, asked to have the fees waived. When the university did not promptly respond, the senior wrote a scathing editorial in the Towerlight student publication, saying it was "asinine" to ask a student journalist to pay so much.

[…]

Some Maryland casino compliance information no longer in reports

Posted on

At its August meeting, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission was presented by staff with the usual, publicly available monthly report chronicling intoxicated patrons, fights, thefts and other incidents at the state's five casinos.

[…]

Proposed legislation calls for more transparency in police militarization

Posted on

A new bill set to be presented at the next legislative session in Maryland's state house aims for more transparency when it comes to law enforcement militarization according to it's sponsor, Sen Bryan Simontaire (R) D-31.

[…]

Editorial: In Maryland, let in the sunshine

Posted on

Revisions to Maryland’s Public Information Act law that went into effect this month was an important step toward restoring a presumption of openness in the state.

The bill passed unanimously and included six key ingredients. Continue…

———————

[…]

Maryland: Baltimore Co. contract bars disclosure of officers’ full names in shootings

Posted on

So far this year, more than a dozen Baltimore County officers have been involved in shootings in which civilians were killed or injured — but none of the officers' full names have been released by the police department.

[…]

Without members, open meetings board can’t meet

Posted on

Five months after Maryland's open-meetings compliance board ruled that the Housing Authority of Prince George's County violated open-meetings law, the public housing agency has been accused again of holding an illegal gathering.

But the compliance board that issued two citations against the housing authority in December is unable to address the new complaint filed by Maryland Legal Aid.

[…]

Maryland legislature revamps public information law

Posted on

Obtaining documents from government agencies in Maryland is no simple task. The process typically involves filing a written request under the state's Public Information Act and waiting up to 30 days — but can also lead to disputes over photocopying fees, redacted details or outright denials.

Reporters, lawyers, nonprofits and others have long had only one way to resolve disputes: in the courts.

[…]

General Assembly passes modernized version of outdated freedom of information law

Posted on

A bill to update Maryland's public information act is heading to the governor's desk.

The General Assembly passed the measure on Monday in the waning hours of the 2015 session.

[…]

Maryland House passes major changes to public records access

Posted on

Major changes to the Public Information Act reported on earlier have now passed both the House and Senate in essentially the same form.

HB755 passed the House Wednesday 139-1, and SB695 passed the Senate unanimously March 25.

[…]

Maryland Gov. Hogan ‘executive privilege’ email troubles open-government advocates

Posted on

Gov. Larry Hogan may have campaigned on a pledge to bring more transparency to government in Annapolis, but his lawyer has urged agency heads and staff to stamp a claim of "executive privilege" — the civilian equivalent of "top secret" — on all their internal correspondence, emails and documents.

[…]