[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 164 (Friday, August 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48660-48661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16769]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Extension of Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB 
Review: Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (OLE/FAM) 
Mental Health Certification

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Transportation Security 
Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request 
(ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review and approval of an extension of the currently approved 
collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the 
nature of information collection and its expected burden. TSA published 
a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting 
comments, of the following collection of information on June 20, 2007, 
71 FR 70524. The collection involves the completion of a mental health 
certification by applicants for Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air 
Marshal positions.

DATES: Send your comments by September 24, 2007. A comment to OMB is 
most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be 
addressed to Nathan Lesser, Desk Officer, Department of Homeland 
Security/TSA, and sent via electronic mail to [email protected] or faxed to (202) 395-6974.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Johnson, Communications Branch, 
Business Management Office, Operational Process and Technology , TSA-
32, Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 22202-4220; telephone (571) 227-3651; facsimile (703) 
603-0822.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation is available 
at www.reginfo.gov. Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and 
approval of the following information collection, TSA is soliciting 
comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological

[[Page 48661]]

collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

    Title: Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (OLE/
FAM) Mental Health Certification.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    OMB Control Number: 1652-0043.
    Forms(s): Mental Health Certification.
    Affected Public: Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 
Service applicants.
    Abstract: Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 44901, 44903, and 44917, TSA has 
authority to prescribe regulations to protect passengers and property 
on an aircraft operating in air transportation or intrastate air 
transportation against an act of criminal violence or aircraft piracy, 
provide for deployment of Federal Air Marshals on passenger flights, 
and provide for appropriate training, supervision, and equipment of 
FAMs. In furtherance of this authority, TSA policy currently requires 
that applicants for Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 
positions meet certain medical standards, including Federal Aviation 
Administration second-class airman standards as outlined in 14 CFR part 
67. The TSA modifications to these standards include a psychological 
evaluation to determine that the individual does not have an 
established medical history or clinical diagnosis of psychosis, 
neurosis, or any other personality or mental disorder that clearly 
demonstrates a potential hazard to the performance of FAM duties or the 
safety of self or others.
    As part of the psychological evaluation, applicants are required to 
complete a mental health certification regarding their mental history 
and provide an explanation for anything they cannot certify. Applicants 
are asked if they have ever been removed from work for medical or 
psychological reasons, and certify other mental health statements. 
Applicants are instructed to submit this form directly to the FAMS 
Medical Programs for initial screening via fax, mail, or in person. Any 
explanations received will generally require further review and follow-
up by a contract psychologist or psychiatrist. This certification is 
carefully geared to capitalize on other elements of the assessment 
process, such as personal interviews, physical task assessment, 
background investigation, as well as the other components of the 
medical examination and assessment.
    Number of Respondents: 10,000.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An estimated 10,000 hours annually.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on August 20, 2007.
Fran Lozito,
Director, Business Management Office, Operational Process and 
Technology.
[FR Doc. E7-16769 Filed 8-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P