Standard DATA Act of 2017

To establish consistent requirements for the electronic content and format of data used in the administration of certain human services programs under the Social Security Act. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Standard Data And Technology Advancement Act of 2017 Standard DATA Act of 2017 2. Data standardization for improved data matching (a) In general Part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301—1320b–5) is amended by inserting after section 1121 the following: 1121A. Data exchange standardization for improved interoperability (a) Designation and use of data exchange standards (1) Designation The head of the department or agency responsible for administering a program funded under title III, IV, IX, XII, XVI, or subtitle A of title XX, or section 511, shall, in consultation with an interagency work group established by the Office of Management and Budget and considering State perspectives, designate data exchange standards for necessary categories of information that a State agency operating the program is required to electronically exchange with another State agency under applicable Federal law. (2) Data exchange standards must be nonproprietary and interoperable The data exchange standards designated under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable, be nonproprietary and interoperable. (3) Other requirements In designating data exchange standards under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate— (A) interoperable standards developed and maintained by an international voluntary consensus standards body, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget; (B) interoperable standards developed and maintained by intergovernmental partnerships, such as the National Information Exchange Model; and (C) interoperable standards developed and maintained by Federal entities with authority over contracting and financial assistance. (b) Data exchange standards for Federal reporting (1) Designation The head of the department or agency responsible for administering a program referred to in subsection (a)(1) shall, in consultation with an interagency work group established by the Office of Management and Budget, and considering State government perspectives, designate data exchange standards to govern Federal reporting and exchange requirements under applicable Federal law. (2) Requirements The data exchange reporting standards required by paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable— (A) incorporate a widely accepted, non-proprietary, searchable, computer-readable format; (B) be consistent with and implement applicable accounting principles; (C) be implemented in a manner that is cost-effective and improves program efficiency and effectiveness; and (D) be capable of being continually upgraded as necessary. (3) Incorporation of nonproprietary standards In designating data exchange standards under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate existing nonproprietary standards, such as the eXtensible Markup Language. (4) Rule of construction Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a change to existing data exchange standards for Federal reporting about a program referred to in subsection (a)(1), if the head of the department or agency responsible for administering the program finds the standards to be effective and efficient. . (b) Conforming repeals and amendment (1) Conforming repeals Section 105 of the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act ( Public Law 112–34 Public Law 112–96 (2) Conforming amendment Section 411 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 611 (c) Effective date This Act and the amendments and repeals made by this Act shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Standard Data and Technology Advancement Act of 2017 or the Standard DATA Act of 2017 This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to direct human services programs operating under the SSAct to designate nonproprietary, interoperable data-exchange standards for information exchanged electronically between state agencies.