[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3539-3542]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1511]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants and Children (WIC): Miscellaneous Provisions

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice re-opens the comment period for the general public and other 
public agencies to provide input on a proposed information collection 
as set forth in the Proposed Rulemaking entitled ``WIC: Miscellaneous 
Provisions'' that was published in the Federal Register on December 2, 
2002 (67 FR 71774). The comment period is being re-opened because the 
analysis set forth in the Proposed Rulemaking of its reporting

[[Page 3540]]

and recordkeeping burden did not reference the overall WIC Program 
reporting and record-keeping requirements designated by the Office and 
Management and Budget as Information Collection Burden 0584-
0043. Also, this analysis omitted one of the proposed provisions that 
impacted on the burden and misidentified another such provision. 
Therefore, the Department is offering the public a second opportunity 
to consider and comment on the proposed changes in the information 
collection burden based on the provisions of the Proposed Rule.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 26, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) 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; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Debra R. Whitford, Chief, Policy and 
Program Development Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food 
and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 522, Alexandria, Virginia 22302. Comments may also be 
submitted via fax to the attention of Debra R. Whitford at (703) 305-
2196 or via e-mail to [email protected]. In all cases, including 
when comments are sent via email, please label your comments as 
``Proposed Collection of Information: WIC Miscellaneous Provisions.''
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Room 522, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information should be directed to Debra R. Whitford at 
(703) 305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: WIC: Miscellaneous Provisions (Proposed Rule).
    OMB Number: 0584-0043.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Expiration Date: January 31, 2004.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The new reporting burden reflected in this action is 
associated with additional elements that are proposed to become part of 
the annual State Plan of Operations under the Proposed Rulemaking 
entitled ``WIC: Miscellaneous Provisions'' that was published in the 
Federal Register on December 2, 2002 (67 FR 71774). The comment period 
for the entire reporting burden associated with that Proposed Rule, 
including both the burden which was cited in the Rule and the burden 
which had been inadvertently omitted from the Rule, is being reopened.
    Respondents: State agencies administering the WIC Program through a 
Federal grant of funds.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: See chart below.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: See chart below.
    Estimated Time per Response: See chart below.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: See chart below.

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN26JA04.020

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    Proposed Reporting Requirements: Section 246.4(a)(11)(i)(E) will 
require a description in the State Plan of the State agency's alternate 
language for advising applicants, parents or caretakers of their rights 
and responsibilities when applying for program benefits, if the State 
agency chooses to use language other than the statements set forth in 
Sec. 246.7(j)(2) of the WIC regulations. The use of alternate language 
by State agencies is optional under the Proposed Rulemaking. --88 hours
    Section 246.4(a)(11)(i) will require a description in the State 
Plan of the State agency's policies for requiring proof of pregnancy, 
if the State agency chooses to require such proof. Requiring proof of 
pregnancy is an option for State agencies under the Proposed 
Rulemaking. The Proposed Rulemaking set forth this option in Sec. 
246.7(c)(2)(ii), and the preamble stated that a State Plan provision 
would be needed if the State agency wanted to use this option, but this 
provision was inadvertently omitted from the State Plan requirements, 
Sec. 246.4(a)(11)(i). --44 hours
    Section 246.4(a)(21) was inadvertently misidentified in the chart 
entitled ``Estimated Annual Reporting Burden'' in the Proposed 
Rulemaking as Sec. 246.4(a)(18). Section 246.4(a)(21) requires a 
description in the State Plan of the State agency's policy for 
approving the expenditure of WIC Program nutrition services and 
administration funds (NSA) for transporting WIC participants to and 
from WIC clinics, if the State agency chooses to expend NSA funds for 
such transportation costs. This provision is optional for State 
agencies in the Proposed Rulemaking. --88 hours
    Section 246.4(a)(24) requires a listing in the State Plan of the 
organizations with whom the State agency will share confidential 
participant information if the State agency chooses to enter into 
information-sharing agreements with certain organizations. This 
provision is optional for State agencies under the Proposed Rulemaking. 
--88 hours
    The Proposed Rulemaking inadvertently omitted Sec. 246.4(a)(26) 
from the chart entitled ``Estimated Annual Reporting Burden'' in the 
Proposed Rulemaking. This section requires a description in the State 
Plan of the State agency's plans for collecting and maintaining 
information on cases of participant and employee fraud and abuse. --88 
hours

    Dated: January 16, 2004.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1511 Filed 1-23-04; 8:45 am]
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