Virginia Enacts New Data Sharing Law to Enhance Government Transparency
RICHMOND, Va. — A significant new law signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin is set to transform data sharing among Virginia’s over 100 state agencies. House Bill 1632, which passed unanimously in both the House of Delegates and State Senate, empowers the Office of Data Governance and Analytics to oversee the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, promoting enhanced communication within state government.
Delegate Cliff Hayes, the bill’s primary sponsor, emphasized that the law addresses a longstanding issue where agency heads felt compelled to protect their data from sharing. "This law is going to be transformational," he stated, as it mandates inter-agency data exchange aimed at improving accountability and transparency.
The initiative creates a "Commonwealth Data Trust," a secure platform designed to facilitate information sharing among state, regional, and local governments, as well as public higher education institutions. A new Chief Data Officer will ensure that data from different organizations is compiled, organized, and protected.
Hayes pointed out practical situations where data sharing could significantly improve outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, the Virginia Employment Commission faced challenges with fraudulent unemployment claims due to an inability to cross-check information across agencies. Similarly, citizens often have to resubmit documents to multiple agencies for assistance programs, further complicating access to services.
This law dovetails with recent efforts to improve public access to unclaimed property, where the state Treasury has begun automatically returning funds to rightful owners, a practice long overdue according to recent investigations.
Effective July 1, House Bill 1632 is poised to revolutionize the way Virginia’s government operates, aiming for multifaceted benefits including reduced operational costs, improved policy decisions, and enhanced citizen services. “You’ll see exponential improvements,” Hayes concluded.
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