Implementation of HAVANA Act of 2021

AGENCY:

Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Interim final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This rule implements the HAVANA Act of 2021 (the Act) for the Department of Commerce (Department). The Act provides the authority for the Secretary of Commerce and other agency heads to provide payments to certain individuals who have incurred qualifying injuries to the brain. The rule covers current and former Department employees, and dependents of current or former employees.

DATES:

Effective date: This interim final rule is effective on April 19, 2023.

Comments due date: To be assured of consideration, written comments on the interim final rule must be received no later than May 19, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments on this interim final rule through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.Regulations.gov , Docket No. DOC–2023–0001. All comments submitted during the comment period permitted by this document will be a matter of public record and will generally be available on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.Regulations.gov .

Comments may also be submitted by mail to: HAVANA Rule Comments, Attention: Anna Kelley, Rooms 1844–1846, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230. Any questions concerning the process for submitting comments should be submitted to Anna Kelley at 202–482–2200 or anna.kelley@trade.gov. The information collection form associated with this rule, Eligibility Questionnaire for HAVANA Act Patients, is available at https://www.Regulations.gov under Docket No. DOC–2023–0001 and at https://www.commerce.gov/havana-act.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Charles Cutshall, Chief Privacy Officer, at 202–482–5735 or ccutshall@doc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On December 20, 2019, Congress gave authority (Pub. L. 116–94, division J, title IX, section 901) to the Department of State to pay benefits to certain individuals for injuries suffered after January 1, 2016 in the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China or another foreign country designated by the Department of State, in connection with certain injuries designated by the Secretary of State. These benefits were limited to Department of State employees, their dependents and other individuals affiliated with the Department of State.

On January 1, 2021, Congress amended that law (Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XI, section 1110), authorizing other Federal Government agencies (such as the Department) to provide similar benefits to their own employees for those injuries. Those provisions are codified at 22 U.S.C. 2680b.

On October 8, 2021, the “Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks” (HAVANA) Act of 2021 became law (Pub. L. 117–46). In the latest Act, Congress authorized Federal Government agencies to compensate affected current employees, former employees, and their dependents for qualifying injuries to the brain. Section 3 of the HAVANA Act of 2021 removed the requirement in Public Law 116–94, division J, title IX, section 901, that the qualifying injury occur in “the Republic of Cuba, People's Republic of China, or other foreign country designated by the Secretary of State” for the purpose of making a payment under the HAVANA Act. The Act also requires the Department (and other agencies) to “prescribe regulations” implementing the HAVANA Act not later than 180 days after the effective date of the Act. This interim final rule implements the HAVANA Act of 2021.

The regulation herein applies only to current and former employees of the Department, and dependents of current or former employees, as defined in § 3.2 of this rule.

Definitions

The rule follows the definitional template provided in the HAVANA Act and its predecessors. The rule defines certain categories of individuals as employees, as well as those who are not considered employees.

The term “covered employee” captures Department Foreign Service and Civil Service employees (regardless of the nature of their appointment), as well as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps Officers and students providing voluntary services under 5 U.S.C. 3111 who, on or after January 1, 2016, became injured by a qualifying injury to the brain while they were an employee of the Department.

The term “covered individual” captures any former employee of the Department (including retired or separated employees) who, on or after January 1, 2016, became injured by a qualifying injury to the brain while they were an employee of the Department.

The term “covered dependent” captures a family member of a Department current or former employee who, on or after January 1, 2016, became injured by reason of a qualifying injury to the brain while the dependent's sponsor was an employee of the Department. For purposes of determining whether an individual is a covered dependent, the term “family members” includes unmarried children under 21 years of age (or certain other children) at the time of injury; parents; sisters and brothers; and spouses. Step-parents and step-siblings are included in the definition.

The definition of “qualifying injury to the brain” is based on current medical practices related to brain injuries. Further, the injury must have occurred in connection with certain hostile acts, including war, terrorist activity, or other incidents designated by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Commerce, as permitted by law, and must not have been the result of the willful misconduct of the individual. The individual must have: an acute injury to the brain such as, but not limited to, a concussion, penetrating injury, or as the consequence of an event that leads to permanent alterations in brain function as demonstrated by confirming correlative findings on imaging studies (to include computed tomography scan (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI)), or electroencephalogram (EEG); or a medical diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that required active medical treatment for 12 months or more; or acute onset of new persistent, disabling neurologic symptoms as demonstrated by confirming correlative findings on imaging studies (to include CT, MRI), EEG, physical exam, or other appropriate testing, and that required active medical treatment for 12 months or more.

In implementing this definition of “qualifying injury to the brain,” the Department adopts the standard set forth by the Department of State in its January 25, 2023, regulations implementing the HAVANA Act (see 88 FR 4722). With regard to these standards, this definition accounts for a variety of observable impacts to an individual, including either a concussion, a penetrating injury, or absent either of those, the ability of an appropriately certified physician to review one of a variety of forms of medical imaging evidence indicating permanent alterations in brain function. This will ensure there is some documented evidence of impact to the brain, while minimally circumscribing what that impact entails. The definition of “qualifying injury to the brain” will provide multiple avenues for demonstrating sustained, long-term impact to the individual. Establishing a 12-month threshold of active medical treatment is indicative of a long-term injury which the Department believes must be demonstrated prior to the awarding of benefits. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadly defines chronic diseases “as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.”

The definition of “other incident” is a new onset of physical manifestations that cannot otherwise be explained.

Eligibility for Payments

The Department will communicate with its entire workforce to inform them of the rule, regulations, and process for requesting payment. The Department will work together with potential recipients to provide the necessary documentation to qualify for payment. The Department believes these efforts will ensure all potential requestors will be able to identify themselves to the Department and begin the process of requesting a payment. However, Form CD–350, the form associated with developing the necessary evidence to submit a claim, will also be publicly hosted on the Department's public-facing website with instructions on how to contact the Department if a requestor believes they are eligible for a HAVANA Act payment.

Section 3.3 states the conditions required before the Department will consider payments to current or former employees and dependents of current or former employees: the qualifying injury to the brain for a former employee must have occurred on or after January 1, 2016, and while the former employee was an employee of the Department; and for a dependent, the injury must have occurred on or after January 1, 2016, and while the dependent's sponsor was an employee of the Department. The Director, Office of Human Resources Management, must approve any HAVANA Act payment.

Payments will be a one-time, non-taxable, lump sum payment, based on the annual salary of an Executive Schedule III employee ( see5 U.S.C. 5311 et seq.). The payment is non-taxable pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2680b(g). As indicated in § 3.3, in determining the amount of the payment, the Department will consider (1) the responses on Form CD–350 and (2) whether the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (DOL) has determined that the requestor has no reemployment potential, or the Social Security Administration (SSA) has approved the requestor for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Insurance, or the requestor's board-certified physician has certified that the individual requires a full-time caregiver for activities of daily living, as defined by the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living.

The award thresholds are based on the annual rate of basic pay for Level III of the Executive Schedule (ES). A Base payment will be 75 percent of Level III pay and a Base Plus payment will be 100 percent of Level III pay. If the requestor meets any of the criteria listed in (2) in the paragraph immediately above, the requestor will be eligible to receive a Base Plus payment. Requestors with a documented “qualifying injury to the brain” but who do not meet any of the criteria listed in (2) in the paragraph immediately above will be eligible to receive a Base payment. The criteria established in (2) in the paragraph immediately above are reflective of the Department's objective of ensuring that the individuals most severely affected by anomalous health incidents (AHIs) (as indicated by a lack of reemployment potential, an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity, or the need for a full-time caregiver) receive additional payment. The specific use of the DOL or the SSA determinations is to ensure that both current and former Federal employees as well as covered dependents have access to a mechanism for this determination. The Department recognizes that criteria DOL and SSA use in their disability determinations are distinct, as well as the fact that the procedural timelines for seeking and receiving approval may be different between these agencies. The third option, that a board-certified physician certifies that the individual requires a full-time caregiver for activities of daily living (as defined by the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living), provides an alternative mechanism for all individuals. Finally, the Department notes that if a requestor who received a Base payment later meets any of the criteria listed in (2) above, the requestor may apply for an additional payment that will be the difference between the Base and Base Plus payment. As the payments are tied to the Executive Schedule, the amounts may change over time based on increases to that Schedule.

The Department may consult with the appropriate officials in other Federal agencies to identify their current and former covered employees, and current and former dependents who reported an anomalous health incident. The Department will not process payment for employees, former employees, or dependents of current or former employees of other agencies. While payments under the HAVANA Act may be on top of other leave, disability, or workers' compensation payments the requestor is receiving or may be entitled to receive that also help augment any loss of income, the Department believes this is an appropriate additional payment. The Department also believes this amount is the most it can reasonably compensate each requestor while ensuring available funds for all expected payments. The Department also notes that, because payments are contingent on appropriated funds, all payments will be paid out on a first come, first served basis. This is also in accordance with compensation awarded by the Department of State under the HAVANA Act.

Regulatory Analysis

Administrative Procedure Act

This rule is being published as an interim final rule and is effective immediately upon publication. Because this rule is a matter relating to public benefits, it is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. See5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2). In particular, the provisions of sections 553(b), 553(c), and 553(d) for advance notice, opportunity for comment, and delay in the effective date do not apply. It is in the public interest for this rule to become effective as soon as practicable in order to ensure expeditious payments to injured persons. The Department seeks comment from interested persons on the provisions of this rule and will consider all relevant comments in determining whether additional rulemaking is warranted under the provisions of the HAVANA Act.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Chief Counsel for Regulations for the Department certifies that this rulemaking will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule applies only to certain individuals who are current and former Department employees and family members who are eligible for payments as a result of certain injuries. Therefore, the rule will provide for payments to certain individuals, and is therefore not expected to impact any small entities. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), and none has been prepared.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

This rule has been determined to be significant under Executive Order 12866. Potential causes of AHI are being investigated but remain unknown. Given the nature of the incidents, it is difficult to accurately estimate future incidents and numbers of individuals affected. For fiscal year (FY) 2023, the Department has been authorized to spend up to $5 million to pay claims that it finds to be substantiated.

The Department has reviewed the rule to ensure its consistency with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in Executive Order 12866 and finds that the benefits of the rule (in providing mechanisms for individuals to obtain compensation for certain injuries) outweigh any costs to the public. The Department has also considered this rulemaking in light of Executive Order 13563 and affirms that this regulation is consistent with the guidance therein.

Paperwork Reduction Act

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) (PRA), the information collection associated with this rule, Form CD–350, the Eligibility Questionnaire for HAVANA Act Patients, was approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance under a 6-month emergency authorization under OMB Control Number 0690–0037. Form CD–350 has been uploaded to this rule's docket on regulations.gov (see ADDRESSES section above). The Department of Commerce intends to request approval for a full 3-year OMB clearance to cover the Eligibility Questionnaire for HAVANA Act Patients information collection request. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 3

• Federal retirees
• Government employees
• Health care

Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department adds part 3 to subtitle A of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, to read as follows:

PART 3—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HAVANA ACT OF 2021

Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2680b.