How to File a Public Records Request in La Plata, Maryland

What Is the Maryland Public Information Act?

The Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), found at Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601, is the state's primary open records law. Enacted in 1970, it grants all persons — regardless of residency or purpose — the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records held by government agencies. The MPIA covers virtually all public agencies and officials, including municipalities like the Town of La Plata.

A public record is broadly defined as any documentary material in any form created or received by a government agency in connection with the transaction of public business. This includes written documents, emails, photographs, maps, computerized records, contracts, meeting minutes, permits, and drawings.

Major exemptions include personnel records, adoption records, medical and financial information, attorney-client privileged communications, law enforcement investigatory files, trade secrets, and records whose disclosure would be contrary to the public interest. When an agency asserts an exemption, the burden of justification rests on the agency, not the requester. The MPIA does not require agencies to answer informational questions or create new records to satisfy a request.

Read the full text of the Maryland Public Information Act (Maryland Annotated Code, General Provisions Article, §§ 4-101 through 4-601)

How to File a Public Records Request with the City of La Plata

How to Submit Your Request

The Town of La Plata encourages requesters to first search the Town's online records to determine whether the information is already publicly available. If not, submit your MPIA request one of three ways: (1) Use the Town's online MPIA form at townoflaplata.org/mpia-request — submitting the form constitutes an official MPIA request; (2) Email your request to Town Hall with the subject line "Maryland Public Information Act Request"; or (3) Mail your written request to 305 Queen Anne Street, P.O. Box 2268, La Plata, MD 20646. No specific form is required under the MPIA, but your request must be in writing and must reasonably describe the records you seek. Requests for real property information such as plats, deeds, or ownership records may be available through the Town's free online resources without a formal MPIA request.

What to Include in Your Request

• Your full name and return mailing address or email address
• The subject line or notation: 'Maryland Public Information Act Request'
• A clear and specific description of the records you are seeking, including relevant dates, subject matter, or names of individuals involved
• The preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper copy)
• Your preferred contact method and any deadline relevant to your request
• A statement of any fee threshold you wish to impose before work proceeds
• If claiming a public interest fee waiver, a brief explanation of why disclosure serves the public interest

Response Deadlines and What to Expect

Under the Maryland Public Information Act (§ 4-203), the Town of La Plata's records custodian must grant or deny your request promptly, but no later than 30 days after receiving it. If approved, the Town must produce the requested records either immediately or within a reasonable period needed for retrieval, again not to exceed 30 days from the date of receipt.

Unlike some states, Maryland does not impose a shorter initial acknowledgment deadline — but if the custodian reasonably believes production will take more than 10 working days, the custodian must notify you in writing or by email within that 10-working-day window. This notice must include: (1) the anticipated production timeline, (2) an estimate of applicable fees, and (3) the reason for the delay. Failure to provide records in accordance with these provisions constitutes a denial.

The 30-day deadline may be extended beyond 30 days only with your consent as the applicant. The Town of La Plata's own MPIA form advises that requests requiring more than 30 working days will trigger a written or email notification.

For fees, the MPIA allows the Town to charge for search, preparation, and reproduction costs beyond the first two free hours of staff time. Requesters are advised of estimated fees in advance. Under § 4-206, fees are prorated based on the actual hourly salary of the staff member performing the work. There is no standard flat fee schedule published on the Town's website; contact Town Hall for current rates.

What to Do If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

If the Town of La Plata denies your MPIA request — in whole or in part — the agency is required by law to provide you with a written statement explaining the reason for the denial, citing the specific legal authority, describing the withheld record (without revealing protected information), and informing you of your appeal rights. If you receive no response within 30 days, that silence is treated as a denial.

Common reasons for denial include assertions that records are exempt as personnel files, protected by attorney-client privilege, constitute law enforcement investigatory files, or would be contrary to the public interest to disclose. Partial denials — where only portions of documents are withheld — are also common; in these cases, the Town must allow you to inspect the non-exempt portions.

You have three escalation paths under the MPIA:

First, contact the Town of La Plata's records custodian directly to discuss the denial. Sometimes a clarified or narrowed request resolves the dispute without formal action.

Second, request informal mediation through Maryland's Office of the Public Access Ombudsman (GP § 4-1B-01 et seq.). The Ombudsman, housed within the Office of the Attorney General, provides voluntary, non-binding, and confidential mediation at no cost. Note that the Ombudsman cannot compel a custodian to produce records.

Third, as of July 1, 2022, before filing a complaint with the State PIA Compliance Board, you must first attempt resolution through the Ombudsman. The Board may review complaints involving unlawful denial of inspection, fees exceeding $350, or untimely responses (GP § 4-1A-01 et seq.).

Finally, you may seek judicial review in the Circuit Court for Charles County under GP § 4-362. If you substantially prevail, the court may order production of the withheld records and award actual damages and attorneys' fees.

Steps to Appeal

1. Contact the Town of La Plata records custodian in writing to request reconsideration of the denial, citing the specific records sought and explaining why the exemption does not apply.
2. Request voluntary mediation through the Maryland Office of the Public Access Ombudsman (GP § 4-1B-01 et seq.) by contacting piaombuds.maryland.gov. Mediation is free, confidential, and non-binding.
3. If mediation does not resolve the dispute and the Board has jurisdiction, file a complaint with the State Public Information Act Compliance Board (GP § 4-1A-01 et seq.). Note: you must attempt Ombudsman resolution first (required since July 1, 2022).
4. The Compliance Board may review complaints involving unlawful denial, fees exceeding $350, or untimely responses. Board decisions may be appealed to the Circuit Court.
5. File a petition for judicial review in the Circuit Court for Charles County under GP § 4-362. The court may enjoin the Town from withholding records and order their production.
6. If you substantially prevail in Circuit Court, the court may award actual damages and attorneys' fees under GP § 4-362(c) and (f). Note: courts apply a 'substantially prevailed' standard — not merely that the requester won on some issue.
7. Consult an attorney familiar with Maryland public records law before filing a court action. Pro se requesters may seek a fee waiver if indigent.

Types of Records You Can Request from La Plata, Maryland

The Town of La Plata generates and maintains a wide range of public records as part of its daily municipal operations. The following are common record categories available through an MPIA request.

• Town Council meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions
• Ordinances and municipal code amendments
• Building permits, zoning applications, and land use approvals
• Town contracts and vendor agreements
• Police incident reports and crime statistics
• Code enforcement complaints and inspection records
• Town budget documents and financial audits
• Public works project records and infrastructure contracts
• Mayor and Council correspondence related to official business
• Town employee salary schedules and compensation data
• Environmental permits and utility records
• Grants received and expended by the Town
• Planning and development commission records
• Town-owned property records and asset inventories
• Settlement agreements and litigation records involving the Town

If you're unsure whether a specific document is a public record, file the request anyway. The burden is on the City of La Plata to justify withholding — not on you to pre-determine what's available.

Tips for Effective Public Records Requests in La Plata