Annie Maurer v. Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (SPR 20213051)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records November 19, 2021 SPR21/3051 Clinton Dick, Esq. General Counsel Division of Occupational Licensure 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710 Boston, MA 02118-6100 Dear Attorney Dick: I have received your petition on behalf of the Division of Occupational Licensure (Division) seeking an extension of time to produce records. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). As required by law, it is my understanding that the Division furnished a copy of this petition to the requestor, Annie Maurer. Id. On November 3, 2021, Ms. Maurer requested records pertaining to polices and applications. Petition for an Extension of Time Under the Public Records Law, upon a showing of good cause, the Supervisor of Records (Supervisor) may grant a single extension to an agency not to exceed 20 business days and a single extension to a municipality not to exceed 30 business days. In determining whether there has been a showing of good cause, the Supervisor shall consider, but shall not be limited to considering: (i) the need to search for, collect, segregate or examine records; (ii) the scope of redaction required to prevent unlawful disclosure; (iii) the capacity or the normal business hours of operation of the agency or municipality to produce the request without the extension; (iv) efforts undertaken by the agency or municipality in fulfilling the current request and previous requests; (v) whether the request, either individually or as part of a series of requests from the same requestor, is frivolous or intended to harass or intimidate the agency or municipality; and (vi) the public interest served by expeditious disclosure. G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). 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

Clinton Dick, Esq. SPR21/3051 Page 2 November 19, 2021 Current Petition In its November 17, 2021 petition, the Division “respectfully petitions for an extension of time to furnish copies of requested records.” The Division is seeking “an extension of fifteen (15) business days from the date of this letter.” The Division explained, “[t]he request in question involves a search of numerous polices and applications pertaining to over one hundred fifty different trades and professions the Division oversees. The nature of this search and review means that the Division requires additional time to gather, segregate, and prepare the records for production. Note that the Division is NOT seeking to be relieved of its obligation to provide copies of the records sought.” In addition, the Division stated it “anticipates that a final response including any available, responsive records subject to disclosure, or portions thereof, will be provided on or before December 9, 2021.” I find that in light of the above, the Division has established good cause to permit an extension of time. See G. L. c. 66, § 10(c)(i)-(iv). I hereby grant the Division an extension of 10 business days to furnish copies of records responsive to, Ms. Maurer’s request. See G. L. c. 66, § 10(c). Please note, Ms. Maurer has the right to seek judicial review of this decision by commencing a civil action in the appropriate superior court. See G. L. c. 66, § 10(d)(iv)(4),10A(c). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Annie Maurer Andrew Perrino