[Federal Register: April 2, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 62)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15005]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02ap09-83]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

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 properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval of the Information Collection: Authorization for 
Release of Medical Information (CM-936). 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 June 1, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven D. Lawrence, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0292, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail Lawrence.Steven@dol.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq. and 
20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical evidence be considered 
before a decision can be made regarding a claimant's eligibility for 
benefits. The CM-936 is used by black lung claimants who wish to submit 
medical evidence to support their claim. The form provides the 
claimant's consent for medical institutions and private physicians to 
release medical information to the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation (DCMWC). The form may be completed by the claimant and the 
claims examiner (CE). This information collection is currently approved 
for use through October 31, 2009.

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 
assure payment of compensation benefits to injured workers at the 
proper rate.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Authorization for Release of Medical Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0057.
    Agency Numbers: CM-936.
    Affected Public: Individual or households.
    Total Respondents: 900.
    Total Annual Responses: 900.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 75.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $491.
    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: March 30, 2009.
Hazel Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-7416 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]

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