Child Welfare Data Modernization Act

To provide for a temporarily enhanced Federal match for certain State or tribal child welfare data reporting expenditures. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Welfare Data Modernization Act 2. Temporarily enhanced Federal match for certain State or tribal expenditures for child welfare data reporting (a) In general The percentages which shall be in effect under section 474(a)(3)(C) of the Social Security Act with respect to eligible child welfare data reporting expenditures of a State, Indian tribe, tribal organization, or tribal consortium in the applicable period shall— (1) be 75 percent; and (2) apply with respect to the expenditures, without regard to whether the systems for which the expenditures are made may be used with respect to foster or adoptive children other than those on behalf of whom foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance payments are made under a State or tribal plan approved under this part. (b) Treatment of digital system as mechanized system The digital system described in subsection (c)(2) of this section shall be considered a mechanized system for purposes of subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 474(a)(3) of the Social Security Act. (c) Meaning of terms (1) In general Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the terms used in this section shall have the meanings the terms would have if this section were in part E of title IV of the Social Security Act. (2) Eligible child welfare data reporting expenditures In subsection (a) of this section, the term eligible child welfare data reporting expenditures (A) meet the requirements imposed by the regulations prescribed under section 479(b)(2) of the Social Security Act, as in effect on January 13, 2017; (B) use cost-effective, innovative technologies to automate the collection of high-quality case management data, and promote the analysis, distribution, and use the data by workers, supervisors, administrators, researchers, and policymakers— (i) in accordance with the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System Final Rule (81 FR 35449); or (ii) by means of a statewide automated child welfare information system that meets the requirements of the regulations prescribed under such section 479(b)(2); (C) include the information required to be collected and reported by section 471(e)(4)(E), and the data described in clauses (i) and (ii) of 479A(a)(7)(A), of such Act; (D) to the extent practicable, are capable of interfacing with the State or tribal data collection system that collects information relating to child abuse and neglect; (E) to the extent practicable, have the capability of interfacing with, and retrieving information from, the State or tribal data collection system that collects information relating to the eligibility of individuals for assistance under a program funded under part A, for purposes of facilitating verification of income for purposes of eligibility for benefits under a State plan approved under this part; and (F) are determined by the Secretary to be likely to provide more efficient, economical, and effective administration of a State or tribal program carried out under a plan developed under part B or approved under this part. (3) Applicable period In subsection (a), the term applicable period

Summary: Child Welfare Data Modernization Act This bill temporarily increases the federal match from 50% to 75% for certain state and tribal expenditures related to child welfare data reporting.