Antonia O'Connell v. Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (SPR 20232914)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records December 14, 2023 SPR23/2914 Steven S. Treat, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Department of Children and Families 600 Washington Street, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02111 Dear Attorney Treat: I have received the petition of Antonia O’Connell appealing the response of the Department of Children and Families (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 27, 2023, Ms. O’Connell requested records related to her time under DCF care from 1980 to 1983. The Department provided a response on November 6, 2023. Unsatisfied with the response, Ms. O’Connell petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2914, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Ms. O’Connell to address her records request. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. O’Connell with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. O’Connell 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: Antonia O’Connell 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