I have talked to several Community Action directors in the state of Maryland that said they thought they could not go paperless because the stare requires them to keep the paper copies of their documents. Here is the Maryland Uniform Electronic Transactions Act that gives legal recognition of electronic records, electronic signatures, and electronic contracts
- (a) In general. — A record or signature may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.
- (b) Electronic contract. — A contract may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because an electronic record was used in its formation.
- (c) Electronic record. — If a law requires a record to be in writing, an electronic record satisfies the law.
- (d) Electronic signature. — If a law requires a signature, an electronic signature satisfies the law.
Reading this, I don’t think any state agency can require you to keep paper copies of your applications and associated paperwork. But, it would be good to check with your legal counsel.
I found a good article on this subject written by CAPLAW: CAPLAW opinion on going paperless
