The FutureTech Act of 2024 would provide bond authorization to maintain major tech projects from 2025 to 2029, as well as funding for emerging opportunities, like state projects involving AI. It calls for directing $1.23 billion to modernizing state systems, cybersecurity and smoother user experience.
The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security’s current bond authorization will be completely exhausted by 2025, the state noted in this announcement. The new authorization request makes sure funding is still available after that time.
The bill would also authorize directing an anticipated $400 million from the federal government into funding business application projects for health and human services. Many of the projects outlined in the act would focus on user experience.
A portion of the funding would go toward further expanding the state’s single sign-on platform to cover more applications and add live chat, as well as text and chatbot services for communicating with residents.
Another initiative would advance a project that, ultimately, aims to launch a mobile-friendly unemployment assistance portal to simplify application and claims processes. Also on the slate: improving the accessibility and user experience of finding and applying for student financial aid, which includes a modernized website and new portal. Still another project aims to improve experiences for families applying for financial assistance for child care. This effort would modernize technologies involved in eligibility determinations, payments and waitlist management.
The governor also hopes to replace two core administrative systems that the executive branch uses for financial, human resources and payroll functions.
Data management plans include modernizing the Executive Office of Health and Human Service’s medical health records for more secure and efficient management and also transferring the Office of Education Data from various storage locations to the cloud, along with providing a platform for accessing educational information.
Local governments would see funding provided for two competitive grant programs. One is aimed at helping expand municipal fiber networks. The other provides winning local governments with funding for IT projects that could improve efficiency, cost savings and user experience.
Other provisions would designate funding for purposes both old and new. One provision would continue supporting a criminal justice cross-tracking system and public-facing dashboard that aggregates data from different county sheriff’s offices and the Department of Correction. Meanwhile, $25 million would go toward any future AI projects.
Looking ahead, it is now up to the Massachusetts Legislature to respond to the proposal.
