Howard County - Office of the Inspector General - Access to Public Records Ho. Co. 15-26

This bill grants the Howard County Office of the Inspector General the authority to access and inspect public records when conducting audits of county government, its agencies, or the public school system. It requires record custodians to provide access if the Inspector General determines it is necessary for an audit and if state or local law already permits such access. The bill also restricts the redisclosure of information obtained through these audits, ensuring it remains subject to existing privacy and disclosure laws. This change strengthens the Inspector General's ability to perform oversight without facing administrative barriers from record custodians. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.