Maryland § 10-603

§ 10-603.

    (a)    The plan shall:

        (1)    ensure that the forms management officer approves the use of a form by the department or independent unit only if the form:

            (i)    is needed for the effective or efficient operation of the department or independent unit;

            (ii)    requests information that is needed for or relevant to a lawful purpose of the department or independent unit;

            (iii)    does not impose an undue burden on the individual who is to complete the form;

            (iv)    is as brief, as plainly written, as well designed, and as easily completed as possible; and

            (v)    does not duplicate unnecessarily:

                1.    another form of the department or independent unit; or

                2.    a form of another department or independent unit;

        (2)    require a register of the forms that the forms management officer approves;

        (3)    require identification of each form in accordance with a standard identification system of the Division;

        (4)    provide for the most economical system by which to prepare, reproduce, and use a form; and

        (5)    require the forms management officer:

            (i)    to review periodically each form that has been approved to determine whether the officer still approves the form; and

            (ii)    if not, to remove the form from the register.

    (b)    In addition to any duties set forth elsewhere, the Division shall:

        (1)    develop a standard identification system to identify forms;

        (2)    help each department and independent unit to:

            (i)    develop a proposed plan; and

            (ii)    coordinate the proposed plan with other plans;

        (3)    review each proposed plan;

        (4)    approve each proposed plan that meets the requirements of this section; and

        (5)    monitor and help in the administration of each plan to ensure compliance.

    (c)    (1)    In the preparation of a form that requires identification of individuals by race, a department or independent unit shall include the following racial categories:

            (i)    American Indian or Alaska Native;

            (ii)    Asian;

            (iii)    Black or African American;

            (iv)    Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and

            (v)    White.

        (2)    A form that requires identification of individuals by race shall include instructions that multiracial respondents may select all applicable racial categories.

        (3)    (i)    Respondents shall select their own answers, except when it is not possible for the respondent to do so.

            (ii)    In the event that a respondent is not able to select an answer, an observer, such as a family member or friend, may select the answer on behalf of the respondent.

        (4)    A form that requires identification of individuals by race shall include a separate question about whether a respondent is of Hispanic or Latino origin, with the question preceding the racial category question.