Public Information and Ethics Archives

Artificial Intelligence Is Rapidly Changing the PIA Process

The Maryland Public Information Act procedures are changing quickly with AI accelerating and misunderstanding components of the process. A recent presentation at the 2026 MACo Fall Symposium, Harnessing AI: Opportunities and Responsibilities for Counties, included a thorough presentation to local officials on the process changes that the Maryland Public Information Act is experiencing because of artificial intelligence (AI). Deputy Public Access Ombudsman, Alisa Bralove Scherr, covered a number of areas that are affected from the…

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September 15, 2026

Attorney General Releases Guidance on Community Trust and Data Privacy Acts

Attorney General Anthony Brown has made guidance available for the implementation of the Community Trust Act and Data Privacy Act but it is not just for public safety officials. It includes vital information, regarding the Data Privacy Act, about all Public Information Act requests made to any division of county government. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has released updated guidance for state and local public safety agencies outlining their responsibilities during federal immigration enforcement activities.…

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June 29, 2026

Information Technology / Policy Deep Dive / Public Information and Ethics

Deep Dive: Beyond the ADA Digital Accessibility Deadline

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a clarifying decision finalizing updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The 2024 final rule formally adopts the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the minimum accessibility standard for public-facing digital content maintained by state and local governments. Background Since its enactment in 1990, the ADA has served as a fundamental civil rights law protecting individuals with disabilities from…

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June 10, 2026

County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections

Baltimore City Proposal Seeks Changes to Inspector General Oversight and Public Records Access

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has announced a multi-step legislative proposal to restructure how the City’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) accesses information, conducts oversight, and interacts with existing public records laws. The proposal comes amid ongoing public discussion and litigation surrounding Baltimore’s OIG and broader questions about transparency, investigatory authority, and accountability structures in local government. According to the City, the package is intended to “strengthen residents’ trust in City government” while clarifying oversight…

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May 21, 2026

County Government and Structure / County News / Elections / Energy / Housing and Community Development / Public Information and Ethics / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Maryland by the Numbers: The Latest UMBC Poll With Mileah Kromer

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Dominic Butchko sit down with Dr. Mileah Kromer, director of the Institute of Politics at UMBC, to break down the latest UMBC Poll releases and what they reveal about Maryland voters heading into the 2026 election cycle. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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May 8, 2026

Business Affairs / County Budgets / County News / Courts / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Energy / Environment / Feature / Finance and Procurement / General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation / Pensions & Public Funds / Planning and Zoning / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Tourism / Transportation and Public Works

2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Public Information

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of government liability and public information in the 2026 General Assembly session. Local governments operate at the intersection of transparency, accountability, and legal responsibility. Counties are charged with managing public information, upholding ethical standards, and navigating legal risks across a wide range of functions. From responding to public records requests to defending against liability claims, counties must balance open government requirements with…

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April 15, 2026

MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

Counties Back Stronger Privacy Protections for State and Local Elected Officials

On March 31, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in support of SB 632 – State Government - State Elected Officials - Protection of Personal Information with amendments. This bill strengthens privacy protections for state officials while maintaining transparency for ethics and other mandatory disclosures for individuals in these roles. These changes, to extend new safety measures for state elected officials, have the potential to deter harmful actions…

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April 2, 2026

MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics

Modernizing Legal Notice Requirements With a Digital Approach

On January 28, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Judiciary Committee in support of HB 10 – Legal Advertisement or Legal Notice - Publication in Newspaper or Newspaper in General Circulation - Digital Newspapers with amendments. This bill authorizes a county to publish required public notices in a qualifying newspaper or digital publication to maintain compliance with state law. This creates both cost savings and more flexibility for local governments in meeting this…

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January 29, 2026

County News / Information Technology / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management

Cybersecurity, AI Bots & Public Records: What Counties Need to Know

In this week's episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Karrington Anderson talks with Sarah Sample to break down the rapidly evolving world of Public Information Act (PIA) requests in Maryland and why counties are feeling the pressure. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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November 14, 2025