Montg. County Delegation moves secretly to shut down Maryland Public Information Act

Just in time for Sunshine Week our Montgomery County Delegation to Annapolis is secretly fast-tracking a bill that will shut down our MD Public Information Act (MPIA). The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Kagan. Please contact your delegates and senators and tell them to OPPOSE HB677 and SB477.

I wanted to draw your attention to a bill that is on a fast track and making its way through the Maryland General Assembly.

House Bill 677 purports to protect privacy by limiting the release of distribution lists containing email addresses, physical addresses and phone numbers. It is filed as an EMERGENCY BILL that would take effect immediately upon passage and signature by the Governor (3/5 supermajority vote required).

However the bill overreaches and would shut down many legitimate MPIA request that are truly in the public interest.

The bill is sponsored in the House by Del. Joseline Pena Melnyk. The companion Senate bill SB477 is sponsored by Sen. Cheryl Kagan. The bill is a priority of the Maryland Municipal League.

 

The Senate bill has already passed in the Senate but the House committee has not yet voted. With 40 days remaining in the Maryland legislative session, there is time to get this right.

Contact your Delegates and Senator and tell them to oppose HB677 and SB477 . Make the same ask of your County and municipal officials.