Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland SB426: Public Information Act - Divorce Records
Status: Vetoed, August 4, 2026
Requiring a custodian to deny inspection of certain records pertaining to a divorce proceeding except under certain circumstances.
What the bill says
An act concerning Public Information Act - Divorce Records FOR the purpose of requiring a custodian to deny inspection of certain records pertaining to a divorce proceeding; and generally relating to divorce records and the Public Information Act. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - General Provisions Section 4-101(a), (b), (d), (f), and (g) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - General Provisions Section 4-305.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the chaptered text, August 5, 2026:
AN ACT concerning Public Information Act - Divorce Records FOR the purpose of requiring a custodian to deny inspection of certain records pertaining to a divorce proceeding; and generally relating to divorce records and the Public Information Act. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - General Provisions Section 4-101(a), (b), (d), (f), and (g) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY adding to Article - General Provisions Section 4-305.1 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - General Provisions 4-101. (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Applicant" means a person or governmental unit that asks to inspect a public record. (d) "Custodian" or (2) any other authorized individual who has physical custody and control of a public record. (f) "Official custodian" means an officer or employee of the State or of a political subdivision who is responsible for keeping a public record, whether or not the officer or employee has physical custody and control of the public record. Ch. 880 2026 LAWS OF MARYLAND (g) "Person in interest" means: (1) a person or governmental unit that is the subject of a public record or a designee …