Proposed Collection; Comment Request
[12/30/2004]
Volume 69, Number 250, Page 78481-78482
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be
[[Page 78482]]
properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection:
Rehabilitation Plan and Award (OWCP-16). A copy of the proposed
information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office
listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section below on or before February 28, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-
mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Background
The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency
responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act (LHWCA); 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. Both of these
Acts authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational rehabilitation
services to eligible workers with work-related disabilities. OWCP must
receive the signatures of the worker and the rehabilitation counselor
to show that the worker agrees to follow the proposed plan, and that
the proposed plan is appropriate. The OWCP-16 is the standard format
for the collection of information needed to approve proposed vocational
rehabilitation services. Form OWCP-16 serves to document the agreed
upon plan for rehabilitation services submitted by the injured worker
and vocational rehabilitation counselor, the costs involved, and OWCP's
award of payment from funds provided for rehabilitation. Form OWCP-16
summarizes the costs of the rehabilitation plan to enable OWCP to make
a prompt decision on funding. This information collection is currently
approved for use through June 30, 2005.
II. Review Focus
The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments
which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
III. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to
provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers
currently unemployed because of disability.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Titles: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
OMB Number: 1215-0067.
Agency Numbers: OWCP-16.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or
households.
Total Respondents: 7,000.
Total Annual responses: 7,000.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,500.
Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
Frequency: On Occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a
matter of public record.
Dated: December 22, 2004.
Sue R. Blumenthal,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control,
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-28575 Filed 12-29-04; 8:45 am
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