2021-26847. Proposed Information Collection Activity; Electronic Document Exchange (OMB No.: 0970-0435)

AGENCY:

Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, HHS.

ACTION:

Request for public comment.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), is requesting the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the Electronic Document Exchange (EDE), with minor revisions, for an additional three years. State child support agencies use the EDE to improve case processing. The current OMB approval expires on June 30, 2022.

DATES:

Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing [e-mail]. Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Description: The EDE provides a centralized, secure system for authorized users in state child support agencies to electronically exchange child support and spousal support case information with other state child support agencies. EDE benefits state child support agencies by reducing delays, costs, and barriers associated with interstate case processing, increasing state collections, improving document security, standardizing data sharing, increasing state participation, and improving case processing, resulting in better overall child and spousal support outcomes. OCSE made minor updates to the Portal screens to enhance functionality.

Respondents: State Child Support Agencies.

Annual Burden Estimates

Instrument	Annual number of respondents	Annual number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Annual burden hours
EDE Screens	49	4,662	0.017	3,883

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,883.

Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 652(a)(7); 42 U.S.C. 666(c)(1); and 45 CFR 303.7(a)(5).

Mary B. Jones,

ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.