What's happening
This bill requires New York State to fully reimburse counties for purchasing document management software used in child welfare cases.
Why it matters
Shifts the financial burden of technology upgrades in child welfare cases from county governments to the state. , potentially enabling more counties to adopt modern document management systems without worrying about local budget constraints.
Could improve efficiency and effectiveness in child welfare investigations. by incentivizing the use of digital, paperless systems for storing and retrieving case files—possibly leading to faster case handling and better inter-agency communication.
May encourage retroactive reimbursement for counties that have already invested in such software. , ensuring that early adopters are not penalized and that there is equity among counties regardless of when they implemented these systems.
Sets a precedent for state-level support of local technology investments in social services. , which could influence future funding models for other software or systems upgrades in public welfare administration.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Reimburse Counties for Software
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to children and families
- 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.
Cover County Child Welfare Software
In Assembly Committee · Children And Families · Sponsor Philip Palmesano
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
940
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. O'MARA -- 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 the state reimbursement of county payments for certain document management software designed specifically for the child welfare industry
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 390-l to read as follows:
§ 390-l. State reimbursement for document management software. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the state shall reimburse a local social services district the full amount expended by the local social services district to provide services to children who are the subject of abuse, neglect or other forms of maltreatment via the use of document management software designed specifically for the child welfare industry. Document management software shall be reimbursed by the state if the county has previously purchased or intends to purchase such software. For the purposes of this section, "document management software" shall mean a database application that utilizes advanced document capture, storage, and retrieval technology to establish a paperless environment both within the agency and in the field. Any county that has previously purchased such software must supply adequate documentation, including any receipts, that details such purchase. The state shall disburse grants, when applicable, from the general fund for this purpose.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05704-01-9
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 the state reimbursement of county payments for certain document management software designed specifically for the child welfare industry
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide fiscal relief to counties who have purchased or will purchase document management software designed specifically for the child welfare industry.
Summary of specific provisions
Amends the social services law by adding a new paragraph (aa) to section 366-a of the social services law to require the State to reimburse coun- ties if such county has previously purchased or intends to purchase document management software designed specifically for the child welfare industry. Further defines "document managing software" as a database application that utilizes advanced document capture, storage, and retrieval technology to establish a paperless environment both. within the agency and in the field.
Justification
Local social services provide help to children who are the subject of abuse, neglect or other forms of maltreatment. A case study of the Chemung County Department of Social Services caseworkers found that only 21% of their time was spent in the field and the rest was being used on documentation. After incorporating document management software, case- workers were able to complete all the necessary documentation 91% fast- er, which allowed them to spend more time with the children and families that need their help. Reproducing these results throughout the state could greatly improve a county's ability to serve children and families in need.
Prior legislative history
2018 -- S2121
Fiscal implications
Undetermined at this time. However, making the system more streamlined and efficient will significantly increase worker productivity and lower the active caseload burden on county's departments of social services.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.