HARRY HUGHES, Governor

13

CHAPTER 6

(House Bill 461 of 1979)

AN ACT concerning

State Agencies - Citizen Response Plan

FOR the purpose of requiring State agencies to adopt
procedures for the handling and response to any
inquiry, request, or complaint communication made by a
member of the public; and for the keeping of related
records.

BY adding to

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative

Departments
Section 14H

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1978 Replacement Volume and 1978 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative
Departments

14H.

(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANING INDICATED.

(2)  "AGENCY" MEANS EVERY DEPARTMENT, BOARD,
BUREAU, COMMISSION, OR OTHER AGENCY OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT,
EXCEPT THOSE IN THE LEGISLATIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCHES.

(3)  "COMPLAINT COMMUNICATION" MEANS ANY INQUIRY,
REQUEST, OR COMPLAINT MADE BY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.

(B)  NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 1, 1980 EVERY AGENCY SHALL
ADOPT AND SUBMIT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND
LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE WRITTEN PROCEDURES TO BE
FOLLOWED BY EMPLOYEES OF THE AGENCY WHICH SET OUT:

(1)  PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE AGENCY AND
ITS EMPLOYEES IN THE HANDLING OF ANY RESPONSE RESPONDING TO
COMPLAINTS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTED TO THE AGENCY BY MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC; AND

(2)  THE MANNER AND CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH
RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS COMMUNICATIONS AND AGENCY RESPONSE
SHALL BE MAINTAINED.