Purpose and Scope

109 CMR 10.00 establishes the rules governing research conducted by outside persons or agencies, within programs regarding youth detained by or committed to the Department. (1) The Department supports research by qualified persons or agencies which will contribute to a better understanding of various aspects and activities of the Department and to understanding the causes and prevention of delinquency. (2) The Department does not support and will not allow research to be conducted with youth detained by or committed to the Department that exposes research subjects to the possibility of physical, psychological, or other harm as a consequence of their participation in the study. (3) The Department shall have a formal application process for any person seeking to complete science research within the Department's programs or regarding youth detained by or committed to the Department. 109 CMR 10.00 shall not apply to requests for de-identified aggregate data or other information that would otherwise be considered a public record pursuant to M.G.L. c. 4, § 7(26). (5) The Department shall publish a procedural handbook setting forth the requirements and expectations for researchers and their projects. This procedural handbook will be approved by the Commissioner and reviewed annually by the Department to ensure such procedures reflect best practices and the requirements set forth in 109 CMR 10.03.