Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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 following proposed extension collection:

Rehabilitation Action Report (OWCP-44). A copy of the proposed

information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office

listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the

addressee section below on or before June 9, 1999. 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.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200

Constitution Ave., N.W., Room S-3201, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone

(202) 693-0339 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-1451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Office of Workers' Compensation programs administers the

Federal Employees' Compensation Act, which provides, in pertinent part,

that eligible injured workers are furnished vocational rehabilitation

services. The costs of these services are paid from the Employees'

Compensation Fund. The Rehabilitation Action Report (OWCP-44) is

submitted by the rehabilitation counselor to report transition periods

in the vocational rehabilitation process and to request prompt claims

adjudicatory action.

II. Current Actions

The Department of Labor seeks an extension of approval to collect

this information in order to render timely decisions on eligibility for

benefits.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Rehabilitation Action Report.

OMB Number: 1215-0182.

Agency Number: OWCP-44.

Affected Public: Business of other for-profit; individuals or

households.

Total Respondents: 7,000.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 7,000.

Time per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,500.

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

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

Dated: April 2, 1999.

Margaret J. Sherrill,

Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of

Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and

Planning, Employment Standards Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-8931 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]

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