04-3648. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection

Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c) (2) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited 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) ways to enhance 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.

Proposed Project: The Smallpox Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (OMB No. 0915-0282)—Extension

The Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act (SEPPA) authorized the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish The Smallpox Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which is designed to provide benefits and/or compensation to certain persons harmed as a direct result of receiving smallpox covered countermeasures, including the smallpox vaccine, or as a direct result of contracting vaccinia through certain accidental exposures.

The benefits available under the Program include compensation for medical care, lost employment income, and survivor death benefits. To be considered for Program benefits, requesters (i.e., smallpox vaccine recipients, vaccinia contacts, survivors, or the representatives of the estates of deceased smallpox vaccine recipients or vaccinia contacts), or persons filing on their behalf as their representatives, must file a Request Form and the documentation required under this regulation to show that they are eligible.

Requesters must submit appropriate documentation to allow the Secretary to determine if the requesters are eligible for Program benefits. This documentation will vary somewhat depending on whether the requester is filing as a smallpox vaccine recipient, a vaccinia contact, a survivor, or a representative of an estate. All requesters must submit medical records sufficient to demonstrate that a covered injury was sustained by a smallpox vaccine recipient or a vaccinia contact.

The burden estimate is as follows:

Form	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Hourly response	Total burden hours
Request Form	1,250	1	5	6,250
Certification	1,250	1	1	1,250
Total	2,500			7,500

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33 Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: February 12, 2004.

Tina M. Cheatham,

Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.