[Federal Register: February 20, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 34)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9358]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe08-110]                         

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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 OMB approval of the 
information collection: Rehabilitation Action Report (OWCP-44). A copy 
of the 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 April 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Steven M. Andoseh, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0373, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail andoseh.steven@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) administers the 
Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These acts provide vocational 
rehabilitation services to eligible workers with disabilities. Section 
8104(a) of the FECA and Sec.  939(c) of the LHWCA provide that eligible 
injured workers are to be furnished vocational rehabilitation services, 
and Sec.  8111(b) of the FECA and Sec.  908(g) of the LHWCA provide 
that persons undergoing such vocational rehabilitation receive 
maintenance allowances as additional compensation. Form OWCP-44 is used 
to collect information necessary to decide if maintenance allowances 
should continue to be paid. Form OWCP-44 is submitted to OWCP by 
contractors hired to provide vocational rehabilitation services. Form 
OWCP-44 gives prompt notification of key events that may require OWCP 
action in the vocational rehabilitation process. This information 
collection is currently approved for use through September 30, 2008.

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 for the extension of 
this currently approved information collection in order to ascertain 
the status of a rehabilitation case and to expedite adjudicatory claims 
action based on events arising from a rehabilitation effort.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Rehabilitation Action Report.
    OMB Number: 1215-0182.
    Agency Number: OWCP-44.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; State, Local, or 
Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 7,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 7,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,169.
    Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.00.
    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: February 14, 2008.
Hazel M. 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. E8-3117 Filed 2-19-08; 8:45 am]

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