Agency Information Collection Activities Under Review: Proposed Collection; Comments Requested

ACTION:

60-day notice of information collection under review: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, certification of State and local government accessibility requirements.

The Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection extension is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until March 8, 2004. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

(1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information;

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4) 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 submission of responses).

Comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to John Wodatch (phone number and address listed below). If you have additional comments, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions, or additional information, contact John Wodatch, Chief, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, by calling (800) 514-0301 (Voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) (the Division's ADA Information Line), or write him at U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20530.

The information collection is listed below:

(1) Type of information collection: Extension of currently approved collection.

(2) The title of the form/collection: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Certification of State and Local Government Accessibility Requirements.

(3) The agency form number and applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: No form number. Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice.

(4) Affected public who will be asked to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: State or local government. Under title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on the application of a State or local government, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights (or his or her designee) may certify that a State or local building code or similar ordinance that establishes accessibility requirements (Code) meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the ADA for accessibility and usability of “places of public accommodation” and “commercial facilities.”

(5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that 10 respondents per year at 64 hours per certification.

(6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 320 hours annual burden.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Brenda E. Dyer, Deputy Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Policy and Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530.