Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DOD.

ACTION: Notice to add a system of records.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force proposes to add an exempt

system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the

Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. The exemption is

intended to increase the value of the system of records, to comply with

prohibitions against the disclosure of certain kinds of information,

and to protect the privacy of individuals identified in the system of

records.

DATES: This action will be effective without further notice on November

17, 1999, unless comments are received that would result in a contrary

determination.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Air Force Access Programs Manager,

Headquarters, Air Force Communications and Information Center/ITC, 1250

Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Anne Rollins at (703) 588-6187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Defense Logistics Agency notices for

systems of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a),

as amended, have been published in the Federal Register and are

available from the address above.

The proposed system report, as required by 5 U.S.C. 522a(r) of the

Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was submitted on September 28, 1999,

to the House Committee on Government Reform, the Senate Committee on

Governmental Affairs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

pursuit to paragraph 4c of Appendix 1 to OMB Circular No. A-130,

`Federal Agency Responsibilities for Maintaining Records About

Individuals,' dated February 8, 1996 (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).

Dated: October 8, 1999.

L.M. Bynum,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

F036 AF DP G

SYSTEM NAME:

Military Equal Opportunity and Treatment.

SYSTEM LOCATION:

Headquarters United States Air Force, headquarters of major

commands, Numbered Air Forces, field operating agencies, direct

reporting units; headquarters of combatant commands for which Air Force

is Executive Agent, and all Air Force installations and units. Official

mailing addresses are published as an appendix to the Air Force's

compilation of systems of records notices.

[[Page 56194]]

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM

Military personnel (and family members), to include the National

guard and Reserve Forces, and civilian employees who are involved in

complaints or investigations relating to the Military Equal Opportunity

and Treatment Program.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

Correspondence and records concerning incidents or compliant data,

endorsements and recommendations, formal and informal complaints of

unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, and clarifications/

investigations concerning aspects of equal opportunity.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

10 U.S.C. 8013; Pub. L. 105-85, section 591; AFPD 36-27, `Social

Actions'; Air Force Instruction 36-2706, Military Equal Opportunity and

Treatment Program; and E.O. 9397 (SSN).

PURPOSE(S):

To investigate and resolve complaints of unlawful discrimination

and sexual harassment under the Military Equal Opportunity and

Treatment Program, and to maintain records created as a result of

formal initial filing of allegations, and appeal actions of unlawful

discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, or national

origin.

To report information as required by the FY 98 National Defense

Authorization Act, and used as a data source for descriptive

statistics.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES

OF USERS AND THE PURPOSE OF SUCH USES:

In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5

U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information

contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a

routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(3) as follows:

In cases of confirmed sexual harassment, identification of

complainant and offender will be provided to congressional committees

as required by the FY 98 National Defense Authorization Act.

The `Blanket Routine Uses' published at the beginning of the Air

Force's compilations of systems of records notices apply to this

system.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING,

AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE

Paper records in file folders.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Retrieved by case number, last name, or Social Security Number of

complainant.

SAFEGUARDS:

Records are maintained in locked file cabinets, locked desk drawers

or locked offices. Records are accessed by personnel responsible for

servicing the records in performance of their official duties who are

properly screened and cleared for need-to-know.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Retained for two years and then destroyed.

SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS:

Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Human Resources Division,

Headquarters United States Air Force, 1040 Air Force Pentagon,

Washington DC 20330-1040.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking to determine whether this system of records

contains information on themselves should address written inquires to

or visit the Human Resources Division, 1040 Air Force Pentagon,

Washington, DC 20330-1040, or social actions (Military Equal

Opportunity) offices at Air Force installations. Official mailing

addresses are published as an appendix to the Air Force's compilation

of systems of records notice.

Individuals should provide their full name and proof of identity to

determine if the system contains a record about him or her.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

Individuals seeking access to records about themselves contained in

this system should address written requests to the Human Resources

Division, 1040 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC 20330-1040, or social

actions (Military Equal Opportunity) offices at Air Force

installations. Official mailing addresses are published as an appendix

to the Air Force's compilation of systems of records notices.

Individuals should provide their full name and proof of identity

such as military identification card or driver's license.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

The Air Force rules for accessing records, and for contesting

contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in

Air Force Instruction 37-132; 32 CFR part 806b; or may be obtained from

the system manager.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Information obtained from the individual, investigative reports,

witness statements, Air Force records and reports.

EXEMPTION CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:

Investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes may be

exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). However, if an individual is

denied any right, privilege, or benefit for which he would otherwise be

entitled by Federal law or for which he would otherwise be entitled by

Federal law or for which he would otherwise be eligible, as a result of

the maintenance of such information, the individual will be provided

access to such information except to the extent that disclosure would

reveal the identity of a confidential source.

An exemption rule for this record system has been promulgated in

accordance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3),

(c) and (e) and published in 32 CFR part 806b. For additional

information contact the system manager.

[FR Doc. 99-27068 Filed 10-15-99; 8:45 am]

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