BILL NUMBER: S1520
SPONSOR: O'MARA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the state
reimbursement of county payments for certain document management soft-
ware 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:
Section 1 Requires the State to reimburse counties 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 estab-
lish 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:
2015: S8086
2017: S2121
2019: S940
2021: S5443
2023: S2213
 
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.