[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 95 (Monday, May 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 27972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11153]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0455]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment 
on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are 
required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each 
proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension 
of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public 
comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments for 
information needed to determine whether proprietary education 
institutions receiving Federal financial assistance comply with the 
applicable civil rights law and regulations.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before July 16, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M35), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20420 or e-mail: [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 
2900-0455'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy J. Kessinger at (202) 273-7079 
or Fax (202) 275-5947.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VBA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Report, VA Form 20-8734 
and Supplement to Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Report, VA Form 
20-8734a.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0455.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12250, Leadership and Coordination of 
Nondiscrimination Laws, delegated authority to the Attorney General to 
coordinate the implementation and enforcement by Executive agencies of 
various equal opportunity laws prohibiting discriminatory practices in 
Federal programs and programs receiving Federal financial assistance. 
The Order extended the delegation to cover Title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 
Department of Justice issued government-wide guidelines (29 CFR 42.406) 
instructing funding agencies to ``provide for the collection of data 
and information from applicants for and recipients of Federal 
assistance.
    VA Forms 20-8734 and 20-8734a are used by VA personnel during 
regularly scheduled educational compliance survey visit, as well as 
during investigations of equal opportunity complaints, to identify 
areas where there may be disparate treatment of members of protected 
groups. VA Form 20-8734 is used to gather information from post-
secondary proprietary schools below college level. The information is 
used to assure that VA-funded programs comply with equal opportunity 
laws. VA Form 20-8734a, is used to gather information from students and 
instructors at post-secondary proprietary schools below college level. 
The information is are used to assure that participants have equal 
access to equal treatment in VA-funded programs. If this information 
were not collected, VA would be unable to carry out the civil rights 
enforcement responsibilities established in the Department of Justice's 
guidelines and VA's regulations.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Annual Burden and Average Burden Per Respondent: Based on 
past experience, VBA estimates that 76 interviews will be conducted 
with recipients using VA Form 20-8734 at an average of 1 hour and 45 
minutes per interview (133 hours). This includes one hour for an 
interview with the principal facility official, plus 45 minutes for 
reviewing records and reports and touring the facility. It is estimated 
that 76 interviews will be conducted with students using VA Form 20-
8734a at an average of 30 minutes per interview (38 hours) and with 
instructors at an average of 30 minutes per interview (38 hours). 
Interviews are also conducted with 76 students without instructors at 
an average time of 30 minutes (38 hours). The total burden hour is 247.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 228.

    Dated: May 6, 2004.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11153 Filed 5-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P