They have to, by law, respond to the PRIA request to the asking company, they are required to offer you a copy however, there is nothing prohibiting them from charging for it. I believe it also says this on the PRIA paperwork itself (The FAA's version). So they can't charge the asking company however they can charge you for your copy if you asked for one on the form. It's rare but I have heard of it once before from a certain regional airline.

FYI: Your former employer has to respond to the asking company within 30 days with what is required by their operators certificate (Requirements can be found in AC120-68D) or they can simply say they don't maintain PRIA records. If they don't respond, the asking company is supposed to notify the FAA.