Md. Code Regs. 22.01.02.13

Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 22.01.02.13 - Fees

A. Subject to §E of this regulation, the Agency custodian shall provide copies and printouts only on payment of the applicable fee by the applicant.

B. Fee Schedule for Certifying and Copying a Public Record.

(1) The charge for each copy of a document is 25 cents per page if the reproduction is made on a photocopying machine within the Retirement Agency offices. If the public records are not susceptible to photocopying, for example, diskettes, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tapes, drawings, maps, blueprints, microfilm, or photographs, or the public record cannot be copied on equipment located in the Retirement Agency offices, the fee for copies will be based on the actual costs of reproduction.

(2) If the public record requested to be reproduced is more than 25 pages, the Agency custodian shall charge a $3.50 per hour photocopying processing fee in addition to the per page fee.

(3) If an applicant requests that a copy of a public record be certified as a true copy, the Agency custodian shall charge an additional fee of $1 per record.

(4) If the Agency custodian is required to provide a computer printout, the charge for the printout shall include all related expenses associated with the time expended to produce the computer printout.

(5) Search Fees.

(a) Except as provided in §B(5)(b) of this regulation, the Agency custodian may charge reasonable fees for the search and preparation of public records for inspection and copying, in addition to the cost for reproduction.

(b) The Agency custodian may not charge search or preparation fees for the first 2 hours of official or employee time that is needed to respond to a request for information.

C. Payment of Fees.

(1) The Agency custodian shall:

(a) Estimate the cost of reproduction, including any search fee; and

(b) Advise the applicant of the estimated costs.

(2) Before reproducing a public record, the Agency custodian shall:

(a) Obtain the written agreement of the applicant that the cost shall be paid; or

(b) Request prepayment of the estimated fee before reproducing the public record.

D. If an applicant requests that copies be mailed or delivered to the applicant, the cost of postage or delivery shall be charged to the applicant.

E. The Executive Director may waive or reduce any fee charged under this regulation if the Executive Director determines that the:

(1) Item requested is promotional in nature or is routinely distributed to the public;

(2) Item may be reproduced free of charge; or

(3) Applicant is unable to pay for the costs of reproduction.

Md. Code Regs. 22.01.02.13

Regulation .13 adopted effective 46:3 Md. R. 106, eff. 2/11/2019