Beth Healy v. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (SPR 20202050)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records November 5, 2020 SPR20/2050 Eric B. Hogberg Records Access Officer Office of Chief Medical Examiner 720 Albany Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02118 Dear Mr. Hogberg: I have received the petition of Beth Healy of WBUR appealing the response of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (Office) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, on September 28, 2020, Ms. Healy requested, “… any and all records on jail and prison deaths -- deaths in custody – in Massachusetts this calendar year [and] any records on these deaths provided to you, and/or such records that you have provided to the federal government.” On October 13, 2020, the Office provided a response, including redacted responsive records. Unsatisfied with the response, Ms. Healy appealed and SPR20/2050 was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and an Office representative, it is my understanding that the Office intends on providing a subsequent response to Ms. Healy to address her concerns. Accordingly, the Office is ordered to provide Ms. Healy with a response to her request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Healy may appeal the substantive nature of the Office's response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Eric B. Hogberg SPR20/2050 Page 2 November 5, 2020 Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Beth Healy