Jonathan Gerhardson v. Department of Public Health (SPR 20250512)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records March 7, 2025 SPR25/0512 Helen Rush-Lloyd Records Access Officer Department of Public Health 250 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4619 Dear Ms. Rush-Lloyd: I have received the petition of Jonathan Gerhardson appealing the response of the Department of Public Health (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On December 14, 2024, Mr. Gerhardson requested “[a]ll communications regardless of format between any state employee and an employee of JSI for any purpose between Oct 15, 2024 and Dec. 15, 2024.” Previous Appeal This request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR25/0019 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (January 13, 2025). In my January 13th determination, I found that the Department had not met its burden in responding to the request. On January 14, 2025, Mr. Gerhardson amended his request to seek “… all communications between [Bureau of Substance Addiction Services] employees and JSI from October 2024 – December 2024.” The Department provided a response on January 23, 2025. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Mr. Gerhardson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/0512, was opened as a result. It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Mr. Gerhardson. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Mr. Gerhardson with said response, in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten 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. Mr. Gerhardson may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’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

Helen Rush-Lloyd SPR25/0512 Page 2 March 7, 2025 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Jonathan Gerhardson Anthony Vargas, Esq.