[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18851-18852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8956]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0455]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), 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 for information 
needed to determine whether or not proprietary education institutions 
receiving Federal financial assistance are in compliance with the 
applicable civil rights statutes and regulations.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before June 11, 2001.

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 or e-mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0455'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or FAX (202) 275-5947.

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

[[Page 18852]]

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 that prohibit discrimination in programs 
and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Government-
wide guidelines issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 29 CFR 
42.406 instruct 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 regulation that effectuates external civil rights requirements 
is contained in 38 CFR, part 18. The regulation provides 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-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 that participants have equal access to equal 
treatment in VA-funded programs.
    The forms are used by Education Compliance Survey Specialists in VA 
field stations 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 the civil rights enforcement responsibilities 
established in the DOJ's guidelines and VA's regulations.
    Affected Public: 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 
is estimated at 114.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 228.

    Dated: March 26, 2001.

By direction of the Secretary,
Donald L. Neilson,
Director, Information Management Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8956 Filed 4-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P