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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAW OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5, CHAPTER 30, TITLE 1 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS POWERS AND DUTIES, INCLUDING THE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF ALL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE AGENCIES AND THE APPROVAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES EXPENDITURES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 30, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
Section 1-30-510. There is created the Department of Information Technology for Health and Human Services Agencies. The Governor shall appoint the director of the department with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The director must have training and experience in the field of information technology planning, administration, and operations.
Section 1-30-520. (A) The department is responsible for the management and administration of all information technologies, including information technology appropriations, other funding, and contracting, for the:
(1) Department of Social Services;
(2) Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;
(3) Department of Mental Health.
(B) The director has final approval for all proposed information technologies expenditures of the agencies enumerated in subsection (A).
(C) Annually the director shall submit a report to the General Assembly containing the proposed information technologies expenditures of the agencies enumerated in subsection (A).
Section 1-30-530. In carrying out the responsibilities of this article the director shall:
(1) develop a coordinated strategic plan for information resources management that:
(a) covers a multi-year period;
(b) defines objectives for information resources management at each health and human services agency;
(c) prioritizes information resources projects and implementation of new technology for all health and human services agencies;
(d) integrates planning and development of each information resources system used by a health and human services agency, including those funded with federal funds or other funds, or both, into a coordinated information resources management planning and development system established by the commission;
(e) establishes standards for information resources system security and that promotes the ability of information resources systems to operate with each other; and
(f) achieves economies of scale and related benefits in purchasing for health and human services information resources systems;
(2) establish information resources management policies, procedures, and technical standards, which must comply with statewide policies, procedures, and standards developed by the State Chief Information Officer, and ensure compliance with these policies, procedures, and standards.
Section 1-30-540. (A) The director may appoint an information technology advisory committee composed of information resources managers for state agencies and for private employers which may advise the director regarding:
(1) overall goals and objectives for information resources management for all health and human services agencies;
(2) coordination of agency information resources management plans;
(3) development of short-term and long-term strategies for:
(a) implementing information resources management policies, procedures, and technical standards;
(b) ensuring compatibility of information resources systems across health and human services agencies as technology changes;
(4) information resources training and skill development for health and human services agency employees and policies to facilitate recruitment and retention of trained employees;
(5) standards for determining:
(a) the circumstances in which obtaining information resources services under contract is appropriate;
(b) the information resources services functions that must be performed by health and human services agency information resources services employees; and
(c) the information resources services skills that must be maintained by health and human services agency information resources services employees;
(6) optimization of the use of information resources technology that is in place at health and human services agencies;
(7) existing and potential future information resources technologies and practices and the usefulness of those technologies and practices to health and human services agencies.
(B) The committee shall review and make recommendations to the director concerning the consolidation and improved efficiency of information resources management functions, including:
(a) cooperative leasing of information resources systems equipment;
(b) consolidation of data centers;
(c) improved network operations;
(d) technical support functions, including help desk services, call centers, and data warehouses;
(e) administrative applications;
(f) purchases of standard software;
(g) joint training efforts;
(h) recruitment and retention of trained agency employees;
(i) video conferencing; and
(j) other related opportunities for improved efficiency.
(C) The members of the advisory committee appointed pursuant to subsection (A) may not receive mileage, per diem, subsistence, or any form of compensation for their service on the committee."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 2:18 P.M.