(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, all or part of proceedings in a contested case shall be transcribed if any party:

(1) requests the transcription; and

(2) pays any required costs.

(b) If a petition for judicial review is filed in circuit court by a Maryland Medical Assistance Program recipient, applicant, or authorized representative, the petitioner may not be charged a fee for the costs of:

(1) the transcription; or

(2) the preparation or delivery of the Office record to the circuit court or to a party.