SF 2162 (LSB 5716XS (3) 85)

SENATE FILE 2162

BY  PETERSEN

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring the chief technology officer to implement a confidential common database in conjunction with state agencies involved with administering or verifying eligibility for public benefits programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  8B.25  Public benefits data sharing.
   1.  For the purposes of this section, “public benefit programs” means programs that assist low-income individuals and families and include but are not limited to the elder Iowan support programs administered by the department on aging, meal and nutrition programs administered by the department of education, the child care, family investment, food assistance, and medical assistance programs administered by the department of human services, the housing programs administered by the Iowa finance authority, and the health and wellness programs administered by the department of public health.
   2.  The chief technology officer shall work with the department on aging, the departments of education, health, human services, and revenue, the Iowa finance authority, and other state agencies responsible for administering or verifying eligibility for public benefit programs to develop a common database for the programs. The purpose of the common database is to improve and reduce the costs of administering the public benefits and to enable the sharing of confidential information to assist applicants and recipients. The issues addressed in developing the common database shall include but are not limited to all of the following:
   a.  Maintaining the confidentiality of the personal information provided by applicants and recipients of the public benefits.
   b.  Enabling the capacity for data sharing between the agencies using the database.
   c.  Improving the ability of persons seeking public benefits to have access to the benefits for which they are eligible.
   d.  Enabling applicants for and recipients of public benefits programs to apply for the programs and access their own information relative to the programs through the internet and by use of a telephone mobile computer device.
   3.  The chief technology officer shall initially implement the common database with one or more pilot projects that shall be expanded as the projects are perfected. The chief technology officer and each of the departments and agencies using the common database shall report annually by December 15 to the governor and the general assembly concerning the status of the database, including but not limited to any administrative cost reductions realized and improvements made for the applicants for and recipients of each of the public benefit programs included in the database.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires the chief technology officer to implement a confidential common database in conjunction with other state agencies involved with administering public benefit programs.
   The term “public benefit programs” is defined by the bill to mean programs that assist low-income individuals and families, including various programs specifically listed.
   The purpose of the common database is to improve and reduce the costs of administering the public benefits and to enable the sharing of confidential information. Development of the database is required to address issues specified by the bill, including capacity to apply for and access public benefit programs and related information through the internet and by using a telephone mobile computer device.
   Initially, the database is to be implemented with one or more pilot projects that are to be expanded as the projects are perfected. An annual report to the governor and general assembly is required.