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SB 554

Public Information Act - Frivolous, Vexatious, or Abusive Requests - Remedies

2025 Regular Session

SB 554 allows Maryland agencies to deny frivolous or vexatious public records requests and seek cost reimbursement, balancing transparency with operational burden management.

Hearing 2/20 at 1:00 p.m. (Education, Energy, and the Environment)
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Bill Summary · SB 554

Legislative bill overview

SB 554 amends Maryland's Public Information Act to establish procedures for handling frivolous, vexatious, or abusive public records requests. The bill creates remedies allowing agencies to deny such requests and potentially seek reimbursement for costs incurred. It defines criteria for what constitutes problematic request patterns and establishes a process for agencies to manage repeat or burdensome requesters.

Why is this important

Public agencies in Maryland currently have limited tools to manage requesters who file numerous repetitive or intentionally disruptive records requests, which can consume significant staff resources and delay legitimate requests. This bill attempts to balance government transparency obligations with operational efficiency by creating a mechanism to filter out requests that obstruct rather than facilitate public access to information.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: Terms like "frivolous" and "vexatious" can be subjective; agencies might over-apply these labels to deny legitimate scrutiny or whistleblower requests, chilling transparency
  • Access vs. burden tradeoff: Critics may argue this provides agencies too much discretion to deny requests, while supporters contend safeguards are necessary against coordinated harassment campaigns
  • Cost reimbursement scope: The bill's provisions for agencies to recover costs could create barriers for ordinary citizens with limited means or activists conducting government accountability investigations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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