[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 24508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11273]



[[Page 24508]]

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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 proposed collection: Authorization for Release 
of Medical Information (CM-936). A copy of the proposed information 
collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed 
below in the addresses section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before July 7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, Email esa.gov">[email protected]esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 as amended (30 
U.S.C. 923), and 20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical 
evidence be considered before a decision can be made regarding a 
claimant's eligibility for benefits. The CM-936 is a form that gives 
the claimant's consent for release of information required by the 
Privacy Act of 1974, and contains information required by medical 
institutions and private physicians to enable them to release pertinent 
medical information. This information collection is currently approved 
for use through November 30, 2003.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 approval for the extension of this 
information collection in order to obtain the claimant's consent for 
medical institutions and private physicians to release medical 
information to the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation as 
evidence to support their claim for benefits. Failure to gather this 
information would inhibit the adjudication of black lung claims because 
pertinent medical data would not be considered during the processing.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Authorization for Release of Medical Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0057.
    Agency Number: CM-936.
    Affected Public: Individual or households.
    Total Respondents: 1,500.
    Total Responses: 1,500.
    Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Frequency: Once.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 125.
    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: May 1, 2003.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-11273 Filed 5-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P