In order to protect the intellectual property of firms making proposals, ten states have confidentiality statutes allowing for firms to protect sensitive information, such as financial information about a firm or its proprietary work product, from the public record on a project. In Missouri, all proposals made to the state are considered a "closed record." Maryland requires that proposers identify the portions of their proposals that the proposers deem confidential and asks them to justify why such information should be kept secret. Maryland's approach may be best, as it provides for flexibility in the process for determining what parts of a proposal should be kept from the public and from the private firm's competitors. On the other hand, states must also remember that providing adequate information to the public is important in any PPP process gaining public legitimacy. States need to keep this balance in mind when protecting sensitive information.