Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

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 the proposed collection: Rehabilitation Plan and Award (OWCP-16). A copy of the proposed 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 February 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@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) is the agency responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA); 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. Both of these Acts authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers with work-related disabilities. OWCP must receive the signatures of the worker and the rehabilitation counselor to show that the worker agrees to follow the proposed plan, and that the proposed plan is appropriate. The OWCP-16 is the standard format for the collection of information needed to approve proposed vocational rehabilitation services. Form OWCP-16 serves to document the agreed upon plan for rehabilitation services submitted by the injured worker and vocational rehabilitation counselor, the costs involved, and OWCP's award of payment from funds provided for rehabilitation. Form OWCP-16 summarizes the costs of the rehabilitation plan to enable OWCP to make a prompt decision on funding. This information collection is currently approved for use through June 30, 2005.

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 of the extension of this information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers currently unemployed because of disability.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Titles: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.

OMB Number: 1215-0067.

Agency Numbers: OWCP-16.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or households.

Total Respondents: 7,000.

Total Annual responses: 7,000.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,500.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

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.