Interior Nat Harbor

Public Information Act Requests

Maryland's Public Information Act (MPIA), codified at Md. General Provisions Code Ann. §4-101 et seq., grants the public the right to access records that are in the possession of State and local governmental agencies without unnecessary cost and delay. The MPIA also explains that some requests for information must be denied, while others may be subject to discretionary exceptions.

The MPIA requires each governmental unit that maintains public records to identify a custodian of records. A member of the public should contact the custodian to request a public record.

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:

  • computerized records,
  • books and written materials, 
  • drawings, photocopies, photographs, and maps,
  • films, microfilms, records, and tapes

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 do not exist. The agency is not required to create a document to respond to a request. Additionally, pursuant to retention guidelines and schedules, if the document no longer exists or 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 are 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 an 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 an 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. The review does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.

      Submitting an 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

      1400 McCormick Drive
      Suite 336
      Largo, MD 20774

      Leslie Jackson-Jenkins
      Associate Director / Custodian of Public Records
      Email
      Phone: 301-883-6149

      Community Relations

      9200 Basil Court
      Suite 102
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Corrections

      13400 Dille Drive
      Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

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

      County Executive

      1301 McCormick Drive
      Suite 4000
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      County Executive (MEDIA)

      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

      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)

      1801 McCormick Drive
      Suite 500
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Ethics and Accountability

      9201 Basil Court
      Suite 155
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Family Services

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

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

      Finance

      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)

      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

      1701 McCormick Drive
      Suite 200
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Homeland Security/PSC Audio

      17321 Melford Blvd.
      Bowie, MD 20715

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

      Housing & Community Development

      9200 Basil Court
      Suite 301
      Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

      Adedamola George
      Custodian of Records
      Email

      Human Rights

      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

      1400 McCormick Drive
      Suite 351
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Information Technology

      9201 Basil Court
      Suite 270
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Office of Law

      1301 McCormick Drive
      Suite 4100
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Management & Budget

      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)

      9400 Peppercorn Place
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Police

      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

      1400 McCormick Dr.
      Suite 200
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Public Works & Transportation

      9400 Peppercorn Place
      Suite 300
      Largo, MD 20774

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

      Sheriff

      5303 Chrysler Way
      Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

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

      Social Services

      805 Brightseat Road
      Landover, MD 20785

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

      Legislative Branch & County Council

      14741 Governor Oden Bowie Dr.
      Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

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

      Other Public Agencies