96-13478. Gender Policy for VA Publications and Other Communications  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 27282]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-13478]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    38 CFR Part 1
    
    RIN 2900-AI09
    
    
    Gender Policy for VA Publications and Other Communications
    
    AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document amends regulations of the Department of Veterans 
    Affairs (VA) by removing Sec. 1.13 of 38 CFR. This section provided 
    that VA publications and other communications must avoid using language 
    refering only to the masculine gender when the feminine gender also was 
    intended to be included. This guidance was intended to avoid any 
    incorrect appearance of seeming to preclude benefits for female 
    veterans, dependents, or beneficiaries. Although, VA is fully committed 
    to the gender-neutral concepts that were set forth in Sec. 1.13, the 
    material from Sec. 1.13 is removed since the mandate from that section 
    is being accomplished through internal issuances.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Hoffman, Director, Information 
    Resources Management, Policy and Standards Service (045A3), Department 
    of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, 
    (202) 273-8129.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule consists of nonsubstantive 
    changes and, therefore, is not subject to the notice and comment and 
    effective date provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553.
        The Secretary hereby certifies that this final rule will not have a 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
    as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5. U.S.C. 
    601-602. This final rule would not cause a significant effect on any 
    entities since it does not contain any substantive provisions. 
    Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this amendment is exempt from 
    the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 
    sections 603 and 604.
        There are no Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance program numbers 
    for this regulation.
    
    List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 1
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Freedom of 
    information, Government contracts, Government employees, Government 
    property, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Approved: May 13, 1996.
    Jesse Brown,
    Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    
        For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 38 CFR part 1 is amended 
    as set forth below:
    
    PART 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), unless otherwise noted.
    
    
    Sec. 1.131   [Removed]
    
        2. The undesignated centerheading preceding Sec. 1.13 and Sec. 1.13 
    are removed.
    
    [FR Doc. 96-13478 Filed 5-30-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/31/1996
Published:
05/31/1996
Department:
Veterans Affairs Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-13478
Dates:
May 31, 1996.
Pages:
27282-27282 (1 pages)
RINs:
2900-AI09
PDF File:
96-13478.pdf
CFR: (1)
38 CFR 1.131