Sec. 11.01.13.11. Review of the Denial

A. If the written request is denied by the official custodian for a reason other than that the record is temporarily unavailable, the applicant may request an administrative hearing on the denial within 30 days after receipt of the notification of the written denial.

B. If a hearing is requested by the applicant, the hearing shall be conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to a delegation from the Secretary and the hearing shall be governed by State Government Article, §§10-205-10-225, Annotated Code of Maryland and the regulations promulgated thereunder. After the hearing, the administrative law judge shall prepare proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, and a proposed order. The Secretary or the Secretary's designee shall issue the final decision of the Department.

C. If the administrative hearing finding confirms total or partial denial of the written request, the applicant may then seek judicial review pursuant to State Government Article, §10-222, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. If the applicant chooses not to request a hearing under §A of this regulation, the applicant alternatively may file an action for judicial review under State Government Article, §10-623, Annotated Code of Maryland, without exhausting that administrative remedy.