What's happening
This bill requires New York's statewide automated child welfare information system to be able to store images and documents.
Why it matters
Improves Case Management. Allowing images and documents to be stored directly in the statewide automated child welfare information system can make it easier for caseworkers to organize and access critical information such as photographs of injuries, copies of identification, court orders, or school records—potentially leading to better and more timely decisions for children’s welfare.
Enhances Collaboration and Continuity. With images and documents available in the system, multiple authorized users (such as social workers, supervisors, and legal staff) can access the same information, reducing reliance on physical files and the risk of lost or incomplete paperwork during case transitions or staff changes.
Strengthens Documentation and Legal Compliance. Storing images and documents electronically can help maintain a more thorough and secure record for each case, which could be crucial during investigations, audits, or court proceedings, and may help agencies comply with state and federal documentation standards.
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Who cares
State child welfare system administrators
They would need to ensure the statewide automated child welfare information system can store images and documents.
Local child welfare agencies
The requirement would give their statewide information system the capacity to hold images and documents.
Child welfare technology vendors
Vendors supporting the statewide system would have a storage capability requirement to address.
Headline styles
Store Child Welfare Documents
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
History
- Referred to children and families
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to children and families
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Store Child Welfare Documents Digitally
In Assembly Committee · Children And Families · Sponsor Crystal Peoples-Stokes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2129
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 12, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GALLIVAN, GOLDEN, KENNEDY, MARCHIONE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to storing images and documents in the statewide automated child welfare information system
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 422 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 13-a to read as follows:
13-a. The statewide automated child welfare information system shall be capable of storing images and documents.
§ 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00234-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to storing images and documents in the statewide automated child welfare information system
Purpose
This legislation would require the statewide automated child welfare information system be capable of storing images and documents.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 requires the statewide automated child welfare information system to be capable of storing images and documents.
Section 2 states this act will take effect on January 1, 2019.
Justification
New York State implemented the statewide automated child welfare information system as the result of a 1993 federal law. When the original contracts for the system were announced in 1996, Windows 95 had just been released, which included the first version of Internet Explorer. Even during that period of low expectations for information technology, the statewide automated child welfare information system, CONNECTIONS, was a disappointment to end-users. The system was too difficult to use and navigate. Upgrades to CONNECTIONS have been limited since that time. As a result, many social services districts have developed parallel systems to meet their basic needs, such as storing images and documents. This bill would require the statewide automated child welfare information system to be capable of storing images and documents by January 1, 2017.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.400-A/A.2632-A Committed to Finance/ Referred to Children and Families 2013-14: S.7041/A.9917 Referred to Children and Families/Referred to Children and Families
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act will take effect on January 1, 2019.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.