How does the PIA process at MDE work?
When MDE receives your request, it is logged and assigned a unique identifying number. You will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your request. The request is reviewed and distributed to all appropriate programs. After each program completes the search, you will be notified by mail as to whether or not pertinent records exist. We are unable to give you status reports on your request until our search is complete and you receive our notification letter. Once you receive MDE’s notification letter, which indicates that pertinent records exist, you should then contact the appropriate PIA Liaison(s) to schedule an appointment for a file review. Because MDE’s files are predominantly “working” files the files you have requested will remain in the programs until the day of your appointment. Because of the time required to search, gather, and prepare files, walk-in requests cannot be accommodated.
