[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28701-28702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4578]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Office for Civil Rights; The Patient Safety and Quality 
Improvement Act of 2005; Delegation of Authority

    Notice is hereby given that I have delegated to the Director of the 
Office of Civil Rights (OCR), with authority to redelegate, the 
authority to enforce the privilege and confidentiality protections of 
section 922, Title IX of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by 
the patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (the Act). 
Pursuant to this delegation, the OCR Director shall have the authority:

A. To impose civil monetary penalties pursuant to section 922(f) of the 
Act;
B. To administer an enforcement program regarding the privilege and 
confidentiality protections of section 922 of the Act (the Enforcement

[[Page 28702]]

Program), including but not limited to investigations of compliance, 
actions to obtain compliance, and determinations to penalize 
noncompliance;
C. To provide technical assistance and public information in the 
administration of the Enforcement Program;
D. To make decisions regarding the interpretation of the privilege and 
confidentiality protections at section 922 of the Act in the 
administration of the Enforcement Program; and
E. To develop, for issuance by the Secretary, regulations regarding 
such Enforcement Program.

    All other authorities under Title IX of the Public Health Service 
Act, except those retained by the Secretary, have been delegated to the 
Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
    This delegation excludes the authority to submit reports to the 
Congress, and shall be exercised under the Department's existing 
delegation of authority and policy on regulations.
    This delegation is effective upon signature. In addition, I hereby 
affirmed and ratified any actions taken by the OCR Director or his 
subordinates which involved the exercise of the authorities delegated 
herein prior to the effective day of this delegation.

    Dated: April 13, 2006.
Michael O. Leavitt,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 06-4578 Filed 5-16-06; 8:45 am]
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