The Ad Hoc Court Records Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 13, 2000, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Judicial Training Center, 2009D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis, Maryland.

The purpose of the hearing is to allow public comment on the attached draft policy on dissemination of court records.  The draft was formulated by the Ad Hoc Committee as guidance to staff in providing timely, complete response to requests for public records.  Its work, however, convinced  the Ad Hoc Committee that a formal, Judiciary-wide, policy would be helpful in ensuring compliance with the laws relating to open records and privacy. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the draft, when the Ad Hoc Committee has completed its work, will be forwarded to the Court of Appeals for consideration.

For planning purposes, persons wishing to testify before the Ad Hoc Committee are encouraged to call the Court Information Office in advance at 410-260-1488. Written comment is encouraged and should be received on or before December 1, 2000, by the Court Information Office in the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building at 361 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401.