Public Information Act - Denials - Pending Litigation

SB 555 modifies Maryland's Public Information Act to allow government offices (custodians) to deny public access to records related to pending or reasonably anticipated lawsuits involving the state, state agencies, or government employees acting in their official capacity. It specifically permits denials for records tied to litigation where the government or its employees are parties, but does not apply to finalized cases or court records. The bill ensures existing legal discovery rights in lawsuits remain unaffected. This change directly impacts how government entities handle public record requests during active legal disputes.