00-22673. Privacy Act of 1974; Implementation

AGENCY:

Department of Justice.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Justice proposes to exempt a Privacy Act system of records from the following subsections of the Privacy Act: The system of records is CaseLink Document Database for Office of Special Counsel—Waco, JUSTICE/OSCW-001 as described in today's notice section of the Federal Register. The system of records may contain information which relates to official Federal investigation. The exemptions are necessary to protect law enforcement and investigatory information and functions as described in the proposed rule and will be applied only to the investigatory information contained in this system.

DATES:

Submit any comments by October 5, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

Address all comments to Thomas E. Wack, Office of Special Counsel—Waco, 200 N. Broadway, 15th Floor, St. Louis, Missouri 63102.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Flexibility Act

This order relates to individuals rather than small business entities. Nevertheless, pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, this order will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Executive Order No. 12866

The Attorney General has determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order No. 12866, and accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 16

• Administrative Practices and Procedures
• Courts
• Freedom of Information Act
• Privacy Act, and Government in Sunshine Act

Dated: August 28, 2000.

Stephen R. Colgate,

Assistant Attorney General for Administration.

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Attorney General by 5 U.S.C. 552a and delegated to me by Attorney General Order No. 793-78, it is proposed to amend 28 CFR part 16 as follows:

1. The authority for Part 16 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C 301, 552, 552a, 552b(g), 553; 18 U.S.C. 4203(a)(1); 28 U.S.C. 509, 510, 534; 31 U.S.C. 3717, 9701.

2. It is proposed to amend 28 CFR Part 16 by adding to Subpart E—Exemption of Records Systems under the Privacy Act, § 16.104 to read as follows:

§ 16.104

Exemption of Office of Special Counsel—Waco System

(a)The following system of records is exempted from subsections (c)(3) and (4); (d)(1), (2), (3), and (4); (e)(1), (2), (3), (5), and (8); and (g) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k): CaseLink Document Database for Office of Special Counsel—Waco, JUSTICE/OSCW-001. These exemptions apply only to the extent that information in a record is subject to exemption pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) and (k).

(b) Only that portion of this system which consists of criminal or civil investigatory information is exempted for the reasons set forth from the following subsections:

(1) Subsection (c)(3). To provide the subject of a criminal or civil matter or case under investigation with an accounting of disclosures of records concerning him or her would inform that individual of the existence, nature, or scope of that investigation and thereby seriously impede law enforcement efforts by permitting the record subject and other persons to whom he might disclose the records to avoid criminal penalties and civil remedies.

(2) Subsection (c)(4). This subsection is inapplicable to the extent that an exemption is being claimed for subsection (d).

(3) Subsection (d)(1). Disclosure of investigatory information could interfere with the investigation, reveal the identity of confidential sources, and result in an unwarranted invasion of the privacy of others.

(4) Subsection (d)(2). Amendment of the records would interfere with ongoing criminal law enforcement proceedings and impose an impossible administrative burden by requiring criminal investigations to be continuously reinvestigated.

(5) Subsections (d)(3) and (4). These subsections are inapplicable to the extent exemption is claimed from (d)(1) and (2).

(6) Subsections (e)(1) and (5). It is often impossible to determine in advance if investigatory records contained in this system are accurate, relevant, timely and complete; but, in the interests of effective law enforcement, it is necessary to retain this information to aid in establishing patterns of activity and provide leads in criminal investigations.

(7) Subsection (e)(2). To collect information from the subject individual would serve notice that he or she is the subject of criminal investigative or law enforcement activity and thereby present a serious impediment to law enforcement.

(8) Subsection (e)(3). To inform individuals as required by this subsection would reveal the existence of an investigation and compromise law enforcement efforts.

(9) Subsection (e)(8). To serve notice would give persons sufficient warning to evade law enforcement efforts.

(10) Subsection (g). This subsection is inapplicable to the extent that the system is exempt from other specific subsections of the Privacy Act.