2019-14730. 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 the Women's Bureau sponsored information collection request (ICR) proposal titled, “National Childcare Costs Database,” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES:

The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before August 12, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the RegInfo.gov website at http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAViewICR?​ref_​nbr=​201811-1290-002 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Frederick C. Licari by telephone at 202-693-8073, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [e-mail].

Submit comments about this request by mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-DM, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: [phone] (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: [e-mail]. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frederick C. Licari by telephone at 202-693-8073, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks PRA authority for the National Childcare Costs Database information collection. The creation of a comprehensive and publicly available data source for childcare prices will provide a more comprehensive picture of the cost of childcare at the local level in the United States. Because data are collected within local areas, childcare prices will more accurately reflect the prices parents pay in the market, rather than estimates derived from state averages. This data source will be used to show how, who, and where childcare prices are impacting labor force participation, and allow government agencies, practitioners, and policymakers to more accurately measure potential economic impacts and identify strategies for enhancing employment options and economic security for women. Women's Bureau Act of 1920 section 3 authorizes this information collection. See 29 U.S.C. 13.

This proposed 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 it is approved by the OMB under the PRA 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 if the collection of information does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on December 26, 2018 (83 FR 66309).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB ICR Reference Number 201811-1290-002. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 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;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 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.

Agency: DOL-OS.

Title of Collection: National Database of Childcare Costs.

OMB ICR Reference Number: 201811-1290-002.

Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 51.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 51.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 153 hours.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

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

Dated: July 2, 2019.

Michel Smyth,

Departmental Clearance Officer.