Public Information Act Requests

Maryland’s Public Information Act (“PIA”), codified at Md. General Provisions Code Ann. §4-101 et seq., grants the public the right of access to records that are in the possession of State and local governmental agencies without unnecessary cost and delay. Additionally, the PIA provides for required denials and discretionary exceptions to a request for information.

The PIA requires each governmental unit that maintains public records to identify a representative who a member of the public should contact to request a public record. In order to inspect or obtain copies of a public record, you must submit a written request to the custodian.

Public Records

A public record is an original or copy of any documentary material in any form created or received by the department in connection with the transaction of public business. This includes:

Books
Computerized records
Drawings
Films
Maps
Microfilms
Photocopies
Photographs
Records
Tapes
Written materials

Submitting a MPIA Request

The following are the Custodian of Records for the departments and agencies of Prince George’s County Government. If you are not certain as to where to send your request, please direct your request to Robin Barnes-Shell, Office of Law. For other public agencies, please visit their respective website for more information contained at the end of this list.

Central Services

Physical Address
1400 McCormick Drive
Suite 336
Largo, MD 20774

Leslie Jackson-Jenkins
Associate Director / Custodian of public records
Email
Phone: 301-883-6149

Community Relations

Physical Address
9200 Basil Court
Suite 102
Largo, MD 20774

Charice Young
Communications Manager / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-4444

Corrections

Physical Address
13400 Dille Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Major Stephanie Matthews
ADA Coordinator
Email
Phone: 301-952-7294

County Executive

Physical Address
1301 McCormick Drive
Suite 4000
Largo, MD 20774

Allyson Wilson
Director of Communications / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-4670

County Executive (MEDIA)

Physical Address
Wayne K. Curry Administration Bldg
1301 McCormick Drive
Suite 4000
Largo, MD 20774

John Erzen, II
Deputy Chief of Staff / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-4817

Division of Environmental Health

Physical Address
1701 McCormick Dr.
Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774

Evelyn Hoban
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-7605

Please use our Momentum System to complete a Freedom of Information Act Request. Be sure to apply under the Department of Health when submitting your application.

Environment - (*Tow vehicles) & (Animal Control)

Physical Address
1801 McCormick Drive
Suite 500
Largo, MD 20774

Karen Gooden
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-5970

Ethics and Accountability

Physical Address
9201 Basil Court
Suite 155
Largo, MD 20774

Todd Turner
Executive Director
Email
Phone: 301-883-3445

Family Services

Physical Address
Harriet Hunter Bldg.
6420 Allentown Road
Camp Springs, MD 20748

Jermoni Dowd
Public Information Officer / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-265-8490

Finance

Physical Address
14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Dr.
Room 3200
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Wanda R. Coley-Smith
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-5371

Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Physical Address
9201 Basil Court, Suite 352
Largo, MD 20774

Paul W. Brown III
IT Manager II VSC / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-7181

Health

Physical Address
1701 McCormick Drive
Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774

Evelyn Hoban
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-7844

Homeland Security/PSC Audio

Physical Address
17321 Melford Blvd.
Bowie, MD 20715

Charlynn Flaherty
Deputy Director / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-352-1401

Housing & Community Development

Physical Address
9200 Basil Court
Suite 301
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Adedamola George
Custodian of Records
Email

Human Rights

Physical Address
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr.
Suite L105
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Renée Battle-Brooks
Executive Director / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-6170

Human Resources Management

Physical Address
1400 McCormick Drive
Suite 351
Largo, MD 20774

Gitana Stewart-Ponder
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-6366

Information Technology

Physical Address
9201 Basil Court
Suite 270
Largo, MD 20774

William (Todd) Addis
Security Manager / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-3351

Office of Law

Physical Address
1301 McCormick Drive
Suite 4100
Largo, MD 20774

Robin Barnes-Shell
Associate County Attorney / Custodian Of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-5225

Management & Budget

Physical Address
Wayne K. Curry Administration Building
1301 McCormick Dr, Room 4200
Largo, MD 20774

Belinda Moore
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-5140

Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement (DPIE)

Physical Address
9400 Peppercorn Place
Largo, MD 20774

Avis Thomas-Lester
Public Information Officer / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-636-2053

Police

Physical Address
8801 Police Plaza
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Alberta Holden
Custodian of Records (4923 43rd Ave, Hyattsville, MD, 20781)
Email
Phone: 301-985-3638

Office of Procurement

Physical Address
1400 McCormick Dr.
Suite 200
Largo, MD 20774

Cory D. Jefferson
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-6470

Public Works & Transportation

Physical Address
9400 Peppercorn Place
Suite 300
Largo, MD 20774

Courtney Glass
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-883-5600

Sheriff

Physical Address
5303 Chrysler Way
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Cpl. Malik Hedges
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-780-8600

Social Services

Physical Address
805 Brightseat Road
Landover, MD 20785

Jamie Dixon
Assistant Director / Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-909-6316

Legislative Branch & County Council

Physical Address
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Karen T. Zavakos
Custodian of Records
Email
Phone: 301-952-3435

Other Public Agencies

Public Record Access

The MPIA provides access to most agency records. Certain records are privileged by law and must be withheld. Examples include, but are not limited to, records containing:

Attorney/client advice and attorney work product
Confidential commercial
Financial information
Medical records
Personnel records
Trade secrets

There are certain records that may fall within one of the exemptions in state law that allows the agency to withhold documents and redact information from documents.

Other records may be withheld. Examples include, but are not limited to, investigatory records and inter- and intra-agency memoranda and letters. If you are denied access to any records, you will be notified as to the specific statutory provisions for each exemption and for challenging the denial procedures.

Access to public records does not include access to information or documents that does not exist. The agency is not required to create a document in order to respond to a request. Additionally, pursuant to retention guidelines and schedules, if the document no longer exists/has been destroyed, the requestor will be notified.

Associated Fees

The custodian may charge reasonable fees for the search and preparation of records for inspection and copying. Search fees are the costs to an agency for locating requested records. Usually, this involves the costs of an employee’s time spent in locating the requested records. preparation fees are the costs to an agency to prepare a record for inspection or copying, including the time needed to assess whether any provision of law permits or requires material to be withheld. The first two hours of search time is free, however, any additional time is subject to fees.

Search includes all time spent looking, both manually and electronically, for material that is responsive to a request. Search also includes a line-by-line or page-by-page identification (if necessary) of material in the record to determine if it or portions thereof are responsive to the request. Time spent reviewing documents in order to determine whether to apply a statutory exemption is not search time but review time.

Duplication refers to the process of making a copy of a document in response to a MPIA request. Such copies can take the form of paper copy, audiovisual, or machine-readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disc) among others. Agencies usually provide copies in the same format as kept within the department unless otherwise specified by the requester or by the agency.

Review refers to the process of examining documents located in response to a MPIA request to determine whether one or more of the statutory exemptions permit withholding. It also includes the processing of documents for disclosure, such as excising them for release. Review does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.