Committee approves $40 million SSIS modernization appropriation and sends HF1169 to Ways and Means

Representative Michael Nelson moved House File 1169, labeled the paperwork reduction act, forward with an A1 amendment that appropriates $40,000,000 to modernize the Social Services Information System (SSIS). The Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee adopted the amendment as amended and re‑referred the bill to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The bill’s A1 amendment, as moved by Representative Michael Nelson, authorizes $40 million for an SSIS modernization effort. Nelson told the committee that roughly half of the appropriation is expected to be matched by federal funds. Chair Katiza Wooten and other members pressed department staff for timing and implementation details before the bill advances.

Cynthia Schipolski, comprehensive child information system supervisor at the Department of Human Services, said the department has initiated a formal process and expects to begin a comprehensive assessment within the next few weeks. "We anticipate that [the assessment] will take about six months for it to be completed," Schipolski said, adding the assessment will help prioritize modernization work that will deliver the most value for frontline caseworkers.

Schipolski told the committee the department has run a formal request for offers (RFO) and will contract a third‑party vendor to conduct the assessment. She said the department plans a modular approach to modernization to reduce disruption for workers rather than a single, full‑system switch.

Sarah Florman, legislative director for the child safety and permanency administration at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, told the committee that if the appropriation is made it will be deposited into the agency’s systems fund and used as needed over the modernization timeline. "Part of our request to remove the date was because it creates confusion and it implies that that money might disappear when in fact because it's already in our fund it won't," Florman said, explaining why Representative Nelson offered an oral amendment deleting the bill’s availability date. The committee adopted the oral amendment, removing the June 30, 2027 availability date so the appropriation is treated as a one‑time appropriation without the sunset language.

Committee members discussed federal matching processes but department staff said they did not have a specific timeline for receipt of federal match dollars; staff described the federal relationship as cooperative and noted federal CCWIS (Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System) partners already are aware of the planned work.

The committee voted to adopt the A1 amendment as amended by voice vote and then approved Representative Nelson’s motion to re‑refer House File 1169, as amended, to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Discussion points noted that a comprehensive assessment and modular implementation are intended to reduce disruption for caseworkers and to prioritize items that will add the most value for direct practice. Members said additional conversations with Ways and Means will focus on staging the investment if the department’s timeline indicates phased work.

House File 1169 now moves to the Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.