Section 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.