§ 446. Statewide automated child welfare information system. (1) The
department shall promulgate regulations required to implement federal
requirements for the establishment and administration of a statewide
automated child welfare information system as required by applicable
federal statute and regulation. The regulations shall set forth
standards for the timely submission of data elements relating to child
welfare services, including foster care, adoption assistance, preventive
services, child protective services and other family preservation and
family support services.

(2) The statewide automated child welfare information system shall be
designed to improve convenience to consumers of services and reduce the
administrative burden of child welfare workers of social services
districts and their contracted agencies which provide direct services.
The statewide automated child welfare information system shall be
designed to provide computers to the majority of individual child
welfare workers of social services districts and their contracted
agencies which provide direct child welfare services, allow such workers
and agencies to communicate with and enter information directly into the
statewide automated child welfare information system while preparing
required documents and eliminate duplicate entry of information and
preparation of documents, and allow for direct determination of claims
and sanctions. The department shall immediately expand the existing
advisory group of consumers, social services districts and their
contracted agencies and other persons with expertise in child welfare.
The statewide automated child welfare information system shall be
designed to permit communication with the family courts and to protect
the confidentiality of individuals as prescribed by this chapter.