Daniel DeFraia v. Department of Children and Families (SPR 20222563)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 29, 2022 SPR22/2563 Steven S. Treat, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Department of Children and Families Office of the General Counsel 600 Washington Street, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02111 Dear Attorney Treat: I have received the petition of Daniel DeFraia appealing the response of the Department of Children and Families (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On October 31, 2022, Mr. DeFraia requested, “records that discuss or describe the 13 DCF cases that involved U Visa requests in 2021.” The Department provided a response on November 10, 2022. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. DeFraia petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/2563, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Department representative, it is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. DeFraia. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. DeFraia with said response to his request, in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its 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. Mr. DeFraia may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Daniel DeFraia 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