2023-25687. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; National Childcare Costs Database

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Chief Evaluation Office (CEO)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that the agency receives on or before December 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicole Bouchet by telephone at 202–693–0213, or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Federal Government provides States with funding to offer financial assistance to low-income families to pay for childcare. This funding is provided through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) childcare subsidy program. Subsidy payment rates are determined by States, but payment rates are required to be informed by childcare market prices. States are encouraged, but not required, to set payment rates at the 75th percentile of the market price. To obtain market prices, States are required to conduct a Market Rate Survey (MRS) no more than two years prior to the submission of States' Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan. The CCDF Plan serves as the mandatory State application to receive Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds. This reinstatement of the National Database of Childcare Prices fills an important gap in data and was first approved for collection by the Office of Management and Budget in August 2019 and made available to the public in September 2022. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on July 6, 2023 (88 FR 43144).

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless the OMB approves it and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.

DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.

Agency: DOL–CEO.

Title of Collection: National Childcare Costs Database.

OMB Control Number: 1290–0025.

Affected Public: State, local and Tribal governments.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 52.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 52.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 104 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

Nicole Bouchet,

Senior Paperwork Reduction Act Analyst.