California Eugenics Sterilization Program (Department of Developmental Services)
| Multi Request | California Eugenics Sterilization Program |
| Submitted | Aug. 8, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Jessie Gomez
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
- A copy of any and all documents used by the state regarding California’s Eugenics Law, which went into effect from 1909 to 1979.
- A list of those who were sterilized under California's Eugenics Law from 1909 to 1979.
- A copy of waiver(s) or consenting documents used prior to eugenic procedures.
- Any supplemental materials used to detail the eugenics procedure to patients.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Jessie Gomez
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following California Public Records Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Aug. 8, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Developmental Services
Dear Mr Gomez,
DDS Office of Communications and the legal office which oversees PRA requests are reviewing your request and will respond soon.
Best regards,
Nancy
Nancy Lungren
DDS Office of Communications
(916) 654-1820
From: Department of Developmental Services
Ms. Gomez,
I write in response to your PRA request below. You have requested, in part, the following records:
- A list of those who were sterilized under California's Eugenics Law from 1909 to 1979.
- A copy of waiver(s) or consenting documents used prior to eugenic procedures.
As you might appreciate, the above categories involve medical records and are confidential given the applicable privacy rights and as such, the Department is unable to provide responsive records.
You have also sought:
- Any supplemental materials used to detail the eugenics procedure to patients.
- A copy of any and all documents used by the state regarding California’s Eugenics Law, which went into effect from 1909 to 1979.
These categories are a bit ambiguous such that the scope is potentially very broad. I do note that there have been several stories in recent years involving this topic and I have attached an email that includes the Department’s disclosures in response to previous PRA requests. There is additional information located at the following: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/california-targeted-latinas-forced-sterilization-180968567/. If, after reviewing the attached information, you still wish to discuss the scope of your request then please do not hesitate to call me at the number below.
Respectfully,
W. Jason Scott
Assistant Chief Counsel
Dept. of Developmental Services
916-654-3328 (Office)
Jason.Scott@dds.ca.gov<mailto:Jason.Scott@dds.ca.gov>
“Representing DDS with Integrity and Excellence.”
ATTORNEY CLIENT COMMUNICATION – PRIVILEGED
On Aug. 8, 2018:
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:
- A copy of any and all documents used by the state regarding California’s Eugenics Law, which went into effect from 1909 to 1979.
- A list of those who were sterilized under California's Eugenics Law from 1909 to 1979.
- A copy of waiver(s) or consenting documents used prior to eugenic procedures.
- Any supplemental materials used to detail the eugenics procedure to patients.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 calendar days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Jessie Gomez
Filed via MuckRock.com<http://MuckRock.com>
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>
Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/accounts/agency_login/department-of-developmental-services-6385/california-eugenics-sterilization-program-department-of-developmental-services-59222/?uuid-login=688ed963-3433-4e0c-8812-a20f7d08016a&email=nancy.lungren%40dds.ca.gov#agency-reply
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the above link to let us know.
For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 59222
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
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Eugenics