[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7957-7958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2358]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

[REG-109704-97]


Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Regulation Project

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing 
effort to reduce paperwork and respondent

[[Page 7958]]

burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take 
this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information 
collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public 
Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting 
comments concerning an existing notice of proposed rulemaking and 
temporary regulation, REG-109704-97, HIPAA Mental Health Parity Act 
(Sec. 54.9812).

DATES: Written comments should be received on or before March 27, 2001 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Garrick R. Shear, Internal 
Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the regulations should be directed to Larnice Mack, (202) 
622-3179, Internal Revenue Service, room 5244, 1111 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20224.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: HIPAA Mental Health Parity Act.
    OMB Number: 1545-1577.
    Regulation Project Number: Reg-109704-97.
    Abstract: The regulations provide guidance for group health plans 
with mental health benefits about requirements relating to parity in 
the dollar limits imposed on mental health benefits and medical/
surgical benefits.
    Current Actions: There is no changes being made to these existing 
regulations.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations, state, 
local or tribal governments, and not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,053.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 28 min.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,280.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records 
relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as 
their contents may become material in the administration of any 
internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information 
are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
    Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited 
on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) 
estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, 
maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.

    Approved: January 16, 2001.
Garrick R. Shear,
IRS Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-2358 Filed 1-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P