2023-27945. Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension of a Previously Approved Collection; Bureau of Justice Assistance Application Form: Public Safety Officers Educational Assistance

AGENCY:

Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice.

ACTION:

60-Day notice.

SUMMARY:

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice (DOJ), will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 60 days until February 20, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have additional comments especially on the estimated public burden or associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed information collection instrument with instructions or additional information, please contact Hope D. Janke, Director, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Office, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20531, telephone: [phone], or email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following four points:

—Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, 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;

—Evaluate whether and if so how the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected can be enhanced; 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 submission of responses.

Abstract: BJA's Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Office will use the PSOEA Application information to confirm the eligibility of applicants to receive PSOEA benefits. Eligibility is dependent on several factors, including the applicant, as a spouse or child, having received or being eligible to receive a portion of the PSOB Death Benefit, or having a spouse or parent who received the PSOB Disability Benefit. Also considered are the applicant's age and the schools being attended. In addition, information to help BJA identify an individual is collected, such as contact numbers and email addresses.

Overview of This Information Collection

1. Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved collection.

2. The Title of the Form/Collection: Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA).

3. The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department sponsoring the collection: None. The applicable component within the Department of Justice is the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in the Office of Justice Programs.

4. Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Dependents of public safety officers who were killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.

5. An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: It is estimated that no more than 300 respondents will apply a year. Each application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

6. An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: The estimated public burden associated with this collection is 150 hours. It is estimated that respondents will take 30 minutes to complete an application. The burden hours for collecting respondent data sum to 150 hours (300 respondents × 0.5 hours = 150 hours).

7. An estimate of the total annual cost burden associated with the collection, if applicable: No cost burden associated with this collection.

If additional information is required contact: Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer, United States Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, Policy and Planning Staff, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 4W–218, Washington, DC.

Dated: December 14, 2023.

Darwin Arceo,

Department Clearance Officer for PRA, U.S. Department of Justice.