Though CleanSlateMoCo offers an open platform for you to submit your viewpoints, opinions and research, it is often hard putting pen to paper. We get it! You know you aren’t satisfied with the conditions of the county. You might even know specific issues that really bother you. But the writing is hard.
We wanted to pass on a very easy step that you can take, that doesn’t even require you to write an article (though of course you might naturally want to after doing it).
Maryland’s Public Information Act (MPIA) allows citizens to submit requests for information that is publicly your right to see, but is not readily available.
Misconception #1: Submitting an MPIA is hard
Wrong. Submitting an MPIA is actually very easy. In 99% of cases, all it involves is an email. And it doesn’t even require special legal jargon. For MPIA requests in which the county has access to the information, here is a list of contacts in which you would send an email. If you are looking for information related to Montgomery County Public Schools, you would follow the process outlined here. Simply drop the contact an email with your request. In formulating your request it is important to:
- When applicable use dates or other qualifiers (e.g. requesting all submissions received from June 2020 – December 2020)
- Be as detailed and possible on the information you are requesting (e.g. requesting all copies of Form ABC, or information that contains X,Y,Z)
- Mention that you are requesting the information under an MPIA
Here is a basic template:
Good Morning
Under the Maryland’s Public Information Act I am requesting the following information as it pertains to [fill in the blank].
Specifically, I am requesting that all [fill in the blank] related to [Fill in the blank] from the period of [fill in the blank] be provided. This should include [fill in the blank]
If you need more information related to this request, or the request is not clear, please contact me at [fill in the blank].
Here is a specific example:
Under the Maryland’s Public Information Act I am requesting the following information as it pertains to records kept by the network of Montgomery County Libraries.
Members of the community can submit requests for materials to be purchased and added to the collection via this site Suggestions for Purchase (montgomerycountymd.gov)
Upon submission, the request is logged, and the submitter receives a notification once a decision has been made.
I am requesting that all requests submitted via this system from for the previous ~6 months (Sept 2022 – March 2023) be provided along with the current decision status/determination.
The listing should include the date of submission and the book title and author, along with the current status or final determination of the request.
Misconception #2: It is expensive to file an MPIA
A majority of MPIA requests can be fulfilled at zero cost to the submitter. In the case that a cost is associated with providing the information, the MPIA can often times be reworked to remove the associated costs. Of course, even receiving a response back on how much it costs, and why, is important information. We would gladly publish this to raise awareness.
Misconception #3 I will be ignored if I file an MPIA
It is against the law for an MPIA request to be ignored. You most likely will have to follow up, asking for a status update or confirming that the MPIA request was received and being processed. Each department that handles the MPIA is different. At the end of the day, if you truly do not receive a response, all MPIA requests made to the county can be escalated to Public Access Ombudsman, who is very responsive.
Misconception #4 The information I receive from an MPIA won’t be useful
Wrong! It is very useful. And we would gladly publish what you receive, and even help write an article around it. Providing information to the public is vital for our county. We will even publish your experience filing an MPIA.
There is tons of information you can request under an MPIA. We highly encourage you to give it a try. Move towards action. It is not hard.
