Bill > SB145

This bill modifies Maryland's Public Information Act and ethics regulations in several key ways. It introduces a definition for "technical infraction" as a minor administrative rule violation that does not involve public interaction or substantive job responsibilities, and clarifies that such infractions are considered personnel records. The bill expands the types of records that are not considered personnel records to include administrative or criminal investigations of misconduct by elected officials. Regarding ethics proceedings, the bill modifies confidentiality rules for the Ethics Commission and Joint Ethics Committee, specifically allowing public disclosure of complaint information when the complaint or investigation has been closed. The bill also provides that the Ethics Commission can release information if the respondent agrees in writing, and must disclose the complainant's identity upon the respondent's request. For the Joint Ethics Committee, the bill creates additional circumstances under which records can be made public, such as when a complaint involving a General Assembly member is closed or with the member's consent or a three-fourths vote of the committee. These changes aim to increase transparency in personnel and ethics records while maintaining certain privacy protections. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0145?ys=2025RS