[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78481-78482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28575]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 78482]]

properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration 
is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: 
Rehabilitation Plan and Award (OWCP-16). 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 February 28, 2005.

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, E-mail [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency 
responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act (LHWCA); 33 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. Both of these 
Acts authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational rehabilitation 
services to eligible workers with work-related disabilities. OWCP must 
receive the signatures of the worker and the rehabilitation counselor 
to show that the worker agrees to follow the proposed plan, and that 
the proposed plan is appropriate. The OWCP-16 is the standard format 
for the collection of information needed to approve proposed vocational 
rehabilitation services. Form OWCP-16 serves to document the agreed 
upon plan for rehabilitation services submitted by the injured worker 
and vocational rehabilitation counselor, the costs involved, and OWCP's 
award of payment from funds provided for rehabilitation. Form OWCP-16 
summarizes the costs of the rehabilitation plan to enable OWCP to make 
a prompt decision on funding. This information collection is currently 
approved for use through June 30, 2005.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
     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;
     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;
     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 submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the approval of the extension of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to 
provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers 
currently unemployed because of disability.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
    OMB Number: 1215-0067.
    Agency Numbers: OWCP-16.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Individuals or 
households.
    Total Respondents: 7,000.
    Total Annual responses: 7,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    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: December 22, 2004.
Sue R. Blumenthal,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-28575 Filed 12-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P