Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Mental Health Certification

AGENCY:

Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION:

60-day notice.

SUMMARY:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0043, abstracted below, that we will submit to OMB for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves a certification form that applicants for the Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service are required to complete regarding their mental health history.

DATES:

Send your comments by December 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be emailed to TSAPRA@dhs.gov or delivered to the TSA PRA Officer, Office of Information Technology (OIT), TSA-11, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christina A. Walsh at the above address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available at http://www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to—

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

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

(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 using appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44917, TSA has authority to provide for deployment of Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) on passenger flights and provide for appropriate training, equipping, and supervision of FAMs. In furtherance of this authority, TSA policy requires that applicants for the Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service positions meet certain medical and mental health standards.

In order to evaluate whether applicants meet TSA standards, applicants must undergo a psychological evaluation determining that they do not have an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of psychosis, neurosis, or any other personality or mental disorder that clearly demonstrates a potential hazard to the performance of FAM duties or the safety of self or others. As part of the psychological evaluation, applicants are required to complete a certification form regarding their mental health history and provide an explanation for anything they cannot certify. Applicants will be asked whether they can certify various statements including that they have never been removed from work for medical or psychological reasons.

Upon completion, applicants submit the certification form directly to the FAMS' Medical Programs Section (FAMS MPS) for initial screening via fax, electronic upload via scanning document, mail, or in person. The FAMS MPS screens all certification forms received. Any explanations for uncertified items received will generally require further review and follow-up by a personal psychologist or psychiatrist. This certification is carefully geared to capitalize on other elements of the assessment process, such as personal interviews, physical task assessment, background investigation, as well as the other components of the medical examination and assessment. TSA estimates that there will be 600 respondents annually.

It will take each respondent approximately one hour to complete the certification form for a total annual hour burden of 600 hours.