1.10.050 Exception request procedures.
(a) Application. In order to qualify for any of the exceptions to denial of access listed in WSSC 1.10.040 and receive any WSSC sensitive engineering records, a requestor must first submit an online application. The online application may be found on WSSC’s Internet page under “Businesses,” “Development Services,” “W.E.R.I.”.
(1) The application requires the following requestor information:
(i) Full name.
(ii) Driver’s license number and state of origin.
(iii) Contact Information.
1. Home information (required if the requestor is self-employed or unemployed):
A. Address (including number and street, city, state, zip and country);
B. Telephone number;
C. Fax number (optional); and
D. Email address (required if Internet access is requested).
2. Company information (if applicable):
A. Address (including number and street, city, state, zip and country);
B. Telephone number and extension;
C. Fax number (optional);
D. Email address (required if Internet access is requested);
E. Name, telephone number, extension and fax number of principal of company authorizing access to WSSC records, if applicable. A company principal must confirm requestor’s employment, length of employment, position, and related business purpose.
(iv) Description of intended business use of WSSC sensitive engineering records.
(v) Authorized WSSC contact (required if requestor is working on a project for WSSC).
(vi) Records/information requested (at least one box must be checked):
1. Paper or electronic copy.
2. Internet access to WSSC WebMap or eGIS system.
(vii) Requested user ID (required for Internet access only).
(2) Applications may be submitted from any personal computer having Internet access or at the WSSC’s Security Desk counter located in the lobby of the RGH building in Laurel, Maryland. Upon successful submission of the application, the requestor will be provided with an application number for tracking purposes.
(3) To complete the application process, the requestor must personally appear at WSSC’s Security Desk counter within 30 days of submitting the electronic application and provide a current, valid driver’s license for validation of the application. If the requestor does not complete the process within 30 days, their application will be deleted from the system and they will have to reapply for access. On a case-by-case basis, individuals from a distant, out-of-state location or with a legitimate reason for not personally appearing may be allowed, at the discretion of the Police and Homeland Security Division Manager, to mail in a signed copy of the application form with a copy of their current, valid driver’s license to the Police and Homeland Security Division at 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Maryland 20707. The driver’s license copy and signature on the application form must be notarized before mailing.
(b) Validation. Police and Homeland Security Division personnel at the Security Desk will access the requestor’s online application to confirm that the information provided on the application matches the information on the requestor’s driver’s license and validate that the person presenting the driver’s license is the same person pictured on the driver’s license. Once the validation process is complete, the requestor will be required to provide an electronic signature certifying that the information provided on the application is complete and accurate, acknowledging that providing false information could be cause for refusal, and agreeing to comply with specified renewal and nondisclosure terms (see attachment for terms and conditions on application form for requesting sensitive engineering records). The requestor’s driver’s license will be scanned. Once the requestor’s signature and driver’s license information have been captured electronically, the updated application will be submitted electronically for review and approval by the Police and Homeland Security Division.
In the case of a notarized application submitted by a distant requestor, Police and Homeland Security Division will confirm the requestor’s signature, driver’s license copy and notarization, scan in the driver’s license and fill in the electronic signature with the words “OUT OF STATE.” The notarized application form will be forwarded, and the application status will change electronically, making it available for the Police and Homeland Security Division to proceed with the background review.
(c) Background Review. Upon receipt of a validated application, Police and Homeland Security Division will conduct a background review. The background review may consist of personal contact with the requestor, reference checks, and criminal history checks. The purpose of these checks is to verify the following information:
(1) Requestor’s identity;
(2) Requestor’s home address and telephone number;
(3) Requestor’s business affiliation;
(4) Requestor’s business address and telephone number;
(5) Legitimate business need (as defined previously in WSSC 1.10.040(c)) for access to WSSC’s sensitive engineering records; and
(6) Lack of notable criminal history.
(d) Requestors may be refused access to WSSC’s sensitive engineering records for the following reasons:
(1) Providing false identity, address, telephone number or other personal information;
(2) Providing false business information;
(3) Lack of legitimate need to access WSSC’s sensitive engineering records;
(4) Appearance on any federal, state, or local terrorist watch list;
(5) Affiliation with terrorist, criminal, or subversive organizations;
(6) Violent criminal history;
(7) Criminal history that indicates extensive drug possession;
(8) Criminal history that indicates possession of drugs with the intent to distribute; and/or
(9) Other extensive criminal history. (Amended during 2019 codification; SEC 12-01 § 5)