[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 65996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31432]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. 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. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the following forms: Miner's Claim for Benefits 
Under the Black Lung Benefits Act (CM-911), Employment History (CM-
911a); and Miner Medical Reimbursement Form (CM-915).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below within February 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-1451, 
EMail esa.gov">[email protected]esa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Black Lung Benefits Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et. 
seq., provides for the payment of benefits to coal miners who are 
totally disabled by black lung disease, and to certain of their 
survivors. The CM-911 is the application form for benefits. The CM-
911a, which is completed along with the CM-911, renders a complete 
history of employment and is used to establish employment criteria for 
benefit eligibility. Under the program, miners are eligible for 
reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses for treatment and for 
medical expenses incurred in the development of a claim. The CM-915 is 
used to request such reimbursement.

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 of the extension of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to 
determine eligibility for black lung benefits.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Miner's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits 
Act; Employment History; Miner Medical Reimbursement Form.
    OMB Number: 1215-0052.
    Agency Numbers: CM-911, CM-911a, CM-915.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Businesses or other 
for-profit.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Respondents/Responses: 20,200.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 9,116.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Respondents/      Time per        Burden
         Form Hours             Responses       response        hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CM-911......................         4,800  45 min.........        3,600
CM-911a.....................         5,900  40 min.........        3,933
CM-915......................         9,500  10 min.........        1,583
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $4,171.
    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: December 14, 2001.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-31432 Filed 12-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P