[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24762-24763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11410]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comments Requested

ACTION: 60-Day notice of information collection under review: New Semi-
Annual Progress Report for the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant 
Program.

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    The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women 
has submitted the following information collection request to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed 
information collection is published to obtain comments from the public 
and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted for 
``sixty days'' until July 7, 2003. This process is conducted in 
accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
    If you have comments especially on the estimated public burden or 
associated response time, suggestions, or need a copy of the proposed 
information collection instrument with instructions or additional 
information, please contact Cynthia J. Schwimer, Comptroller (202) 307-
0623, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice, 810 Seventh 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20531.
    Request written comments and suggestions from the public and 
affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are 
encouraged. Your comments should address one or more of the following 
four points:
    (1) 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;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) 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 
submission of responses.

[[Page 24763]]

Overview of This Information Collection

    (1) Type of Information Collection: New collection.
    (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Semi-Annual Progress Report for 
the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant Program.
    (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the 
Department of Justice sponsoring the collection: Form Number: None. 
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract: Primary: The affected public includes the 
approximately 200 grantees of the Legal Assistance for Victims Grant 
Program (LAV Program) whose eligibility is determined by statute. In 
1998, Congress appropriated funding to provide civil legal assistance 
to domestic violence victims through a set-aside under the Grants to 
Combat Violence Against Women, Public Law 105-277. In the Violence 
Against Women Act of 2000, Congress statutorily authorized the Legal 
Assistance for Victims Grant Program (LAV Program). 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-6. 
The LAV Program is intended to increase the availability of legal 
assistance necessary to provide effective aid to victims of domestic 
violence, stalking, or sexual assault who are seeking relief in legal 
matters arising as a consequence of that abuse or violence. The LAV 
Program awards grants to law school legal clinics, legal aid or legal 
services programs, domestic violence victims' shelters, bar 
associations, sexual assault programs, private nonprofit entities, and 
Indian tribal governments. These grants are for providing direct legal 
services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking 
in matters arising from the abuse or violence and for providing 
enhanced training for lawyers representing these victims. The goal of 
the Program is to develop innovative, collaborative projects that 
provide quality representation to victims of domestic violence, sexual 
assault, and stalking.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: It is 
estimated that it will take the approximately 200 respondents (LAV 
Program grantees) approximately one hour to complete a semi-annual 
progress report. The semi-annual progress report is divided into 
sections that pertain to the different types of activities that 
grantees may engage in and the different types of grantees that receive 
funds. An LAV Program grantee will only be required to complete the 
sections of the form that pertain to its own specific activities.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The total annual hour burden to complete the data 
collection forms is 400 hours, that is 200 grantees completing a form 
twice a year with an estimated completion time for the form being one 
hour.
    If additional information is required contact: Brenda E. Dyer, 
Department Deputy Clearance Officer, Information Management and 
Security Staff, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, 
Patrick Henry Building, Suite 1600, 601 D Street NW., Washington, DC 
20530.

    Dated: May 2, 2003.
Brenda E. Dyer,
Department Deputy Clearance Officer, Department of Justice.
[FR Doc. 03-11410 Filed 5-7-03; 8:45 am]
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