Kevin Norris v. Department of Mental Health (SPR 20230390)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 13, 2023 SPR23/0390 Olubunmi A. Olotu, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Department of Mental Health 25 Staniford Street Boston, MA 02114 Dear Attorney Olotu: I have received the petition of Kevin Norris appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Mental Health (Department) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 8, 2023, Mr. Norris requested the following records: 1) A copy of a document showing all settlement agreements DMH made regarding claims of sexual abuse, failure to protect, and/or negligence; 2) A copy of any document listing DMH as a Defendant in civil action concerning the allegation of racial discrimination. Claiming to not yet have received a response, Mr. Norris petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/0390, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department intends on providing a response to Mr. Norris. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Norris with said response in accordance with the Public Records Law, its Regulations and this order within ten business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Norris may appeal the substantive nature of the Department response within 90 days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Kevin Norris 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