2017-22610. Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Rehabilitation Action Report (OWCP-44). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the date section of this Notice. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted by December 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to [phone]; or by Email to [e-mail]. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These acts provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers with disabilities. Section 8104(a) of the FECA and § 939(c) of the LHWCA provide that eligible injured workers are to be furnished vocational rehabilitation services, and § 8111(b) of the FECA and § 908(g) of the LHWCA provide that persons undergoing such vocational rehabilitation receive maintenance allowances as additional compensation. Form OWCP-44 is used to collect information necessary to decide if maintenance allowances should continue to be paid. Form OWCP-44 is submitted to OWCP by contractors hired to provide vocational rehabilitation services. Form OWCP-44 gives prompt notification of key events that may require OWCP action in the vocational rehabilitation process. This information collection is currently approved for use through December 31, 2017.

II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:

* 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 submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks the approval for the extension of this currently approved information collection in order to ascertain the status of a rehabilitation case and to expedite adjudicatory claims action based on events arising from a rehabilitation effort.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

Title: Rehabilitation Action Report.

OMB Number: 1240-0008.

Agency Number: OWCP-44.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; State, Local, or Tribal Government.

Total Respondents: 4,066.

Total Annual Responses: 4,066.

Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 678.

Frequency: Annually.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: October 4, 2017.

Yoon Ferguson,

Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor.