Open records requests in Maryland

How the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) works

Maryland's Public Information Act (Md. Code, Gen. Prov. §§ 4-101 et seq.), originally enacted in 1970 and substantially updated since, grants any person, with no residency requirement, the right to inspect and copy public records of state agencies, counties, municipalities, and other governmental bodies. Maryland's law explicitly declares that the public's right of access to government information is of fundamental importance, though its 30-day response window is one of the longer timelines among states.

Agencies must acknowledge a request within ten business days and provide an estimated completion date, with the full response due within 30 days. Fees may be charged for search, preparation, and reproduction, including legal review time in certain cases, which can make complex requests costly. The Maryland Attorney General's Office maintains an Open Government Compliance Unit that provides guidance and investigates complaints. Requesters who prevail in court may recover attorney's fees. Common exemptions include personnel records, attorney-client communications, and records protected by other Maryland statutes.