[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 31222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8456]



[[Page 31222]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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 properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Authorization for Release 
of Medical Information (CM-936). 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 July 31, 2006.

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 Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended 30 U.S.C. 
901 et seq., and 20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical 
evidence be considered before a decision can be made regarding a 
claimant's eligibility for benefits. The CM-936 is a form that gives 
the claimant's consent for release of information required by the 
Privacy Act of 1974, and contains information required by medical 
institutions and private physicians to enable them to release pertinent 
medical information. This information collection is currently approved 
for use through November 30, 2006.
    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 approval for 
the extension of this information collection in order to obtain the 
claimant's consent for medical institutions and private physicians to 
release medical information to the Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation as evidence to support their claim for benefits. Failure 
to gather this information would inhibit the adjudication of black lung 
claims because pertinent medical data would not be considered during 
the processing.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Authorization for Release of Medical Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0057.
    Agency Number: CM-936.
    Affected Public: Individual or households.
    Total Respondents: 1,200.
    Total Responses: 1,200.
    Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Frequency: Once.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 100.
    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: May 25, 2006.
Ruben Wiley,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E6-8456 Filed 5-31-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P