Public Records Law Massachusetts gives residents, journalists and researchers the right to request state documents without stating a purpose, as set out in Chapter 66, Section 10(a). The Division of Public Records runs a daily “attorney of the day” line that fielded calls from January 1 2023 onward, reachable at (617) 727‑5235, Monday‑Friday 8:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. Located on the 9th floor of 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, the office also offers in‑person help for complex requests such as historic archival material, health‑care records or building permits dating back to the 17th century.
Following the 2016 public‑records reform, agencies must designate a Records Access Officer, file annual compliance reports and answer inquiries within ten business days under 950 CMR 32.00, with disputed requests routed through the Office of the Inspector General for a 30‑day resolution. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Comm. v. Fujita (2015) held that protective orders remain intact and juror lists may be withheld unless a court finds good cause, as required by Rule 22. Exemptions cover classified security plans, HIPAA‑protected health information and trade‑secret data, while the 2016 Act obliges agencies to provide electronic copies within five business days and to maintain public tracking portals such as the DTC’s PR‑2024‑001 and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s PR‑SEC‑2024.
Overview of Massachusetts Public Records Law
The Division of Public Records in Massachusetts maintains a daily “attorney of the day” service that fielded inquiries about the Public Records Law from January 1 2023 through the present. Callers could reach the division at (617) 727‑5235 during its standard schedule of Monday‑Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays such as Patriots’ Day and the Commonwealth’s annual administrative shutdown. The office, located at 1 Ashburton Place, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, also provides in‑person assistance for complex requests involving health‑care records, building permits, and archival materials dated back to the 17th century.
https://www.mass.gov/files/2017-06/Public%20Records%20Law.pdf 
Massachusetts Freedom of Information and Public Records Requirements
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed in Comm. v. Fujita, 470 Mass. 484 (2015), that the state’s public records statutes do not override existing judicial protective orders. The decision clarified that juror lists must remain in the case file and be disclosed under the same protocols applied to other docket entries, unless a court determines “good cause”—for example, a credible threat of harm to jurors or potential prejudice to ongoing proceedings. The ruling also cited Rule 22 of the Court Rules, which mandates that any withheld list be subject to a written finding specifying the precise risk.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-freedom-of-information-and-public-records 
950 CMR 32.00 – Procedures for Accessing Public Records
Regulation 950 CMR 32.00, effective July 1 2022, outlines the responsibilities of every Commonwealth agency and municipal entity to designate a Records Access Officer, file annual compliance reports, and respond to public inquiries within ten business days. The rule also establishes a dispute‑resolution mechanism that involves the Office of the Inspector General, ensuring that contested requests—for example, those involving police body‑camera footage from the 2021 Boston Marathon—are settled within a statutory 30‑day window.
https://www.mass.gov/regulations/950-CMR-3200-public-records-access 
Key Features of the Massachusetts Public Records Law (Wikipedia Summary)
Massachusetts’ public records framework mirrors the federal Freedom of Information Act by classifying photographs, engineering drawings, electronic mail, financial ledgers, statistical tables, and even recorded oral histories as public unless one of sixteen statutory exemptions applies. Notable exemptions include classified security plans under Chapter 66‑11, personal health information protected by HIPAA, and trade secrets demonstrated in a 2020 docket where a biotech firm successfully argued for confidentiality of its CRISPR‑related research data.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Public_Records_Law 
How to Submit a Public Records Request to the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (DTC)
On June 3 2016, Governor Charlie Baker enacted “An Act to Improve Public Records,” which codified the requirement for agencies to provide electronic copies of records within five business days and to publish a public portal for tracking request status. The DTC’s online form, identified as PR‑2024‑001, captures requester details, the precise record description, and the preferred delivery method (secure email, encrypted USB, or in‑person pickup). The agency reports that, as of December 2023, it processed 4,217 requests with an average turnaround of 8 days.
https://www.mass.gov/public-records-request 
Access to Public Records in Massachusetts – Digital Media Law Project Overview
Chapter 66, Section 10(a) of the Massachusetts General Laws explicitly permits any individual—resident, journalist, or researcher—to request state-held documents without providing a justification. The statute, codified at 66‑10(a), does not require the requester to disclose the intended use of the documents. However, 950 CMR 32.05(5) permits agencies to deny access to records that include critical infrastructure schematics, vulnerability assessments, or detailed security protocols when disclosure could compromise public safety, as illustrated by the 2022 denial of a city‑wide water‑main map request in Springfield.
https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/access-public-records-massachusetts 
Guidance for Making a Public Records Request – Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General’s Office provides a dedicated Records Access Officer, Lorraine A.G. Tarrow, reachable at (617) 963‑2900, Monday‑Friday, 9 a.m.‑4 p.m. The office’s contact page lists a physical address at 1 Ashburton Place, 18th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, and offers a downloadable PDF titled “Request Form AG‑2024” that outlines required fields such as the statute or regulation cited, a concise description of the desired records, and an optional fee waiver request for non‑profit entities. The office reports that in fiscal year 2023 it fulfilled 1,832 requests, 72 % of which were provided electronically.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/guidance-for-making-a-public-records-request 
Public Records Requests for the Secretary of the Commonwealth
Following the 2016 public‑records reform, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office launched an online portal (PR‑SEC‑2024) that accepts electronic submissions, automatically assigns a tracking number, and notifies requesters of estimated completion dates. The portal supports bulk‑download of election‑related documents, such as precinct‑level voter registration files from the 2022 midterms, and includes a “FAQ” section that explains fee structures, exemptions for personal data, and the appeal process for denied requests. The office handled 3,459 requests in 2023, with an average processing time of 12 days.
https://www.mass.gov/public-records-requests-for-the-secretary-of-the-commonwealth 
Chapter 66 – Statutory Structure of Massachusetts Record‑Keeping
Chapter 66 of the General Laws details the organization and disclosure rules for state records. Section 10B restricts the public release of personally identifiable information such as names, residential addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers, as well as data concerning firearm licensing and government personnel. Section 11 mandates the use of fire‑proof vaults and tamper‑evident safes for preserving original documents. Section 12 prescribes the chronological arrangement of records, while Section 13 empowers a custodian to issue subpoenas compelling compliance. Section 14 outlines the protocol for retiring officers to transfer custody of records to designated successors, ensuring continuity of archival integrity.
Contact Us
Address: 1 Ashburton Place
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleX/Chapter66 