Massachusetts House approves $869 million IT bill

The Massachusetts state legislature approved $869 million on capital investments in information technology over the next five years in a unanimous vote Tuesday.

If signed into law, the bill includes a number of large spending measures for state agencies to improve their information technology.

Some highlights of the bill:

• $38 million to extend access to broadband Internet to 600 public schools lacking the technology that will be required to take exams expected to replace the state’s current standardized tests within two years.
• $65 million for the Massachusetts Lottery to replaced agent and terminal hardware.
• $12 million to create a confidential database that would track diagnoses, treatment, services and outcomes for people with autism.
• The legislation also requires the state administration and finance secretary to hire an independent consultant to study information technology procurements and to make recommendations by April 1, 2014.

The bill’s bottom line is the same amount as Gov. Deval Patrick requested in March.