[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR34.13]

[Page 126]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 34_DEBT COLLECTION--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart C_Salary Offset
 
Sec.  34.13  Notice requirements before offset.

    Except as provided in Sec.  34.16, salary offset deductions will not 
be made unless STATE first provides the employee with a written notice 
that he/she owes a debt to the Federal Government at least 30 calendar 
days before salary offset is to be initiated. When STATE is the creditor 
agency, this notice of intent to offset an employee's salary shall be 
hand-delivered or sent by first class mail to the last known address 
that is available to the Department and will state:
    (a) That STATE has reviewed the records relating to the debt and has 
determined that the debt is owed, its origin and nature, and the amount 
due;
    (b) The intention of STATE to collect the debt by means of deduction 
from the employee's current pay until the debt and any and all 
accumulated interest, penalties and administrative costs are paid in 
full;
    (c) The amount, frequency, approximate beginning date, and duration 
of the intended deductions;
    (d) The requirement to assess and collect interest, penalties, and 
administrative costs in accordance with Sec.  34.6, unless waived in 
accordance with Sec.  34.6(f);
    (e) The employee's right to inspect and copy any STATE records 
relating to the debt, or, if the employee or their representative cannot 
personally inspect the records, to request and receive a copy of such 
records;
    (f) The opportunity to voluntarily repay the debt or to enter into a 
written agreement (under terms agreeable to STATE) to establish a 
schedule for repayment of the debt in lieu of offset;
    (g) Right to an internal review or outside hearing. (1) An internal 
review under Sec.  34.9 may be requested in cases of collections by 
salary offset for debts arising under 5 U.S.C. 5705 (travel advances), 5 
U.S.C. 4108 (training expenses), and other statutes specifically 
providing for collection by salary offset.
    (2) For all other debts, an internal review or an outside hearing 
conducted by an official not under the supervision or control of STATE 
may be requested with respect to the existence of the debt, the amount 
of the debt, or the repayment schedule (i.e. the percentage of 
disposable pay to be deducted each pay period);
    (h) That the timely filing of a request for an outside hearing or 
internal review within 30 calendar days after the date of the notice of 
intent to offset will stay the commencement of collection proceedings;
    (i) The method and time period for requesting an internal review or 
outside hearing;
    (j) That a final decision on the internal review or outside hearing 
(if one is requested) will be issued at the earliest practical date, but 
not later than 60 days after the filing of the request, unless the 
employee requests and the outside hearing official grants a delay in the 
proceedings;
    (k) That any knowingly false or frivolous statements, 
representation, or evidence may subject the employee to disciplinary 
procedures (5 U.S.C. Chapter 75, 5 CFR part 752 or other applicable 
statutes or regulations); penalties (31 U.S.C. 3729-3731 or other 
applicable statutes or regulations); or criminal penalties (18 U.S.C. 
286, 287, 1001, and 1002 or other applicable statutes or regulations);
    (l) Any other rights and remedies available to the employee under 
statutes or regulations governing the program for which the collection 
is being made;
    (m) That the amounts paid on the debt which are later waived or 
found not owed to the United States will be promptly refunded to the 
employee, unless there are applicable contractual or statutory 
provisions to the contrary; and
    (n) The name and address of the STATE official to whom 
communications should be directed.