Md. bill curtailing access to public records put on hold

Legislation that would restrict the public’s access to government records in Maryland has been tabled for further study, after opponents of the bill asserted the measure went too far.

HB 615 and SB 549 would allow government agencies to deny records requests if the subject matter is related to any current civil litigation in which the government is a defendant.

The bill, introduced by the Baltimore City delegation at the request of the mayor’s administration, will be studied more over the summer.