[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 38607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18938]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0455]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Reinstatement

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, is announcing an opportunity for public comment on 
the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to 
publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed 
collection of information, including each proposed reinstatement, 
without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval 
has expired, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice. This notice solicits comments on requirements relating to VBA's 
equal opportunity compliance review report.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before September 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20S52), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20420. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0455'' in any 
correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-8310 
or FAX (202) 275-4884.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Public Law 104-13; 44 
U.S.C., 3501-3520), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Report, VA Form 20-8734, 
and Supplement to Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Report, VA Form 
20-8734a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0455.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12250, Leadership and Coordination of 
Nondiscrimination Laws, delegated authority to the Attorney General to 
coordinate the implementation and enforcement by Executive agencies of 
various equal opportunity laws. Government-wide guidelines issued by 
the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in 28 CFR 42.406 instructs funding 
agencies to ``provide for the collection of data and information from 
applicants for and recipients of Federal assistance sufficient to 
permit effective enforcement of Title VI.'' Executive, Order 12250 
extended the delegation to cover Title IX of the Education Amendments 
of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
    VA's requirements to effectuate our external civil rights 
requirements are contained on 38 CFR, Part 18. These regulations, in 
part, provide that the responsible agency official or designee shall 
from time to time review the practices of recipients to determine 
whether they are complying with the equal opportunity provisions. VA 
Form 20-8734 is used to gather information from post-secondary 
proprietary schools below college level. The information is used to 
assure that VA Federally-funded programs are in compliance with equal 
opportunity laws. VA Form 20-8734a, is used to gather information from 
students and instructors at post-secondary proprietary schools below 
college level. The information is used to assure equal access and equal 
treatment to participants in VA Federally-funded programs.
    Education Compliance Survey Specialists in VA field stations use VA 
Forms 20-8734 and 20-8734a during regular scheduled educational 
compliance survey visits, as well as during investigations of equal 
opportunity complaints, to identify areas which may indicate whether 
there is disparate treatment of members of protected groups. The 
information obtained on these forms is analyzed and maintained on file 
at the regional office. If this information were not collected, VA 
would be unable to carry out its civil rights enforcement 
responsibilities established in the DOJ's instructions.
    Affected Public: Individual, or households and Business or other 
for-profit.
    Estimated Annual Burden and Average Burden Per Respondent: Based on 
past experience, VBA estimates that 76 interviews will be conducted 
with recipients using VA Form 20-8734 at an average of 1 hour and 45 
minutes per interview (133 hours). This includes one hour for an 
interview with the principal facility official, plus 45 minutes for 
reviewing records and reports and touring the facility. It is also 
estimated that 76 interviews will be conducted with students using VA 
Form 20-8734a at an average of 30 minutes per interview (38 hours) and 
with instructors at an average of 30 minutes per interview (38 hours) 
with a total of 76 hours. Interviews are also conducted with 76 
students without instructors at an average time of 30 minutes.
    VBA estimates that it will take 1 hour to conduct an interview with 
the recipients (76 hours) and 30 minutes with the instructors (38 
hours). The total number of hours for interviewing recipients and 
instructors are estimated at 114.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 228.

    Dated: June 27, 1997.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Sandra S. McIntyre,
Management Analyst, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18938 Filed 7-17-97; 8:45 am]
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