This letter transmits the adoption of the new rule 5101:2-33-70 of the Administrative Code that addresses the implementation and utilization of Ohio's new Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). This rule will be effective January 29, 2007.

Summary of the new rule

This rule was developed as a result of Am. Sub. Senate Bill 238, of the 126th General Assembly. The bill requires ODJFS to establish and maintain a uniform statewide automated child welfare information system. SACWIS shall be established and maintained in accordance with federal law. ODJFS shall plan implementation of SACWIS on a county-by-county basis and must finalize statewide implementation not later than January 1, 2008.

The information contained in SACWIS is confidential and provides specific guidelines for access to the information as well as a prohibition against disclosure of such information. Whoever violates the provisions regarding proper access and use or disclosure of the information contained in SACWIS is guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor. ODJFS is permitted to adopt internal management rules, that are necessary to carry out the statutory provisions concerning SACWIS.

All public children services agencies (PCSAs) shall enter children services information contained in this rule directly into SACWIS.