2012-22631. Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Authorization for Release of Medical Information for Black Lung Benefits

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, “Authorization for Release of Medical Information for Black Lung Benefits,” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

DATES:

Submit comments on or before October 15, 2012.

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 from the RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain,, on the day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or sending an email to [e-mail].

Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-OWCP, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Fax: [phone] (this is not a toll-free number), email: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [e-mail].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Black Lung Benefits Act as Amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and regulations 20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical evidence be considered before a decision can be made regarding a claimant's eligibility for black lung benefits; consequently, a person who files such a claim may submit medical information to the OWCP, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation to help develop the claim. Form CM-936 gives the claimant's consent for the release of that medical information by any physician, hospital, agency, or other organization to the OWCP.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. This ICR has been characterized as a revision, because the OWCP has reformatted elements of Form CM-936 (e.g., replaced an obsolete logo with the DOL Seal, updated the OMB Control Number, added a notice on rights for persons with disabilities, and removed references to the no longer existent Employment Standards Administration).

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. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1240-0034. The current approval is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2012; however, it should be noted that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on May 31, 2012 (77 FR 32140).

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 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1240-0034. 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-OWCP.

Title of Collection: Authorization for Release of Medical Information for Black Lung Benefits.

OMB Control Number: 1240-0034.

Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 900.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 900.

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 75.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

Dated: September 6, 2012.

Michel Smyth,

Departmental Clearance Officer.