[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66124-66125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29364]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

November 18, 2003.
    The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public 
information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of 
this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by 
calling the Department of Labor. To obtain documentation contact Darrin 
King on (202) 693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or E-Mail 
[email protected].
    Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Employee Benefits Security

[[Page 66125]]

Administration (EBSA), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-7316/this is not a toll-free number), 
within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal 
Register.
    The OMB 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 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.
    Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Annual Report for Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements and 
Certain Entities Claiming Exception.
    OMB Number: 1210-0116.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; and Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Type of Response: Reporting.
    Number of Respondents: 741.
    Number of Annual Responses: 3,718.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Varies from 2 hours and 50 minutes for 
fully insured filers to 3 hours and 35 minutes for filers not fully 
insured.
    Total Burden Hours: 564.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
    Total Annual Costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): $348,997.
    Description: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 
Act of 1996 (HIPAA), codified as part 7 of Title I of the Employee 
Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), was enacted to improve the 
portability and continuity of health care coverage for participants and 
beneficiaries of group health plans. In the interest of assuring 
compliance with part 7, HIPAA also added section 101(g) to ERISA 
permitting the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to require multiple 
employer welfare arrangements (MEWA) as defined in section 3(40) of 
ERISA to report to the Secretary in such form and manner as the 
Secretary might determine. Under 29 CFR 2520.101-2, Form M-1 is 
required to be filed by MEWAs and by other entities described in the 
regulation. The purpose of the information collection is to provide the 
Secretary with information to determine the extent to which the 
requirements of part 7 of ERISA are being carried out in connection 
with the provision of benefits consisting of medical care.

Ira L. Mills,
Departmental Clearance Officer
[FR Doc. 03-29364 Filed 11-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-M