[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 17, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76520-76536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29703]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs

28 CFR Part 32

[Docket No.: OJP (BJA) 1478]
RIN 1121-AA75


Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, Justice.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) of the U.S. Department of 
Justice published the proposed rule for the Public Safety Officers' 
Benefits (PSOB) Program on July 10, 2008, 73 FR 39632. During the 
comment period, OJP received comments on its proposed rule from 
numerous parties. After further review of the proposed rule and careful 
consideration and analysis of all comments, OJP has made amendments 
that are incorporated into this final rule, which is intended (insofar 
as consistent with law) to be effective and applicable to all claims 
from and after the effective date hereof, whether pending (in any 
stage) as of that date or subsequently filed.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hope Janke, Counsel to the Director, 
Bureau of Justice Assistance, at (202) 514-6278, or toll-free at 1 
(888) 744-6513.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Further to Executive Order 12866's call upon agencies to examine 
existing regulations for opportunities to achieve their intended 
regulatory goal more effectively, and pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3796c(a), 
3796(a) & (b), 3796d-3(a) & (b), and 3782(a) (each of which expressly 
authorizes the issuance of regulations), on July 10, 2008, OJP 
published the proposed rule for the PSOB Program. During the comment 
period, BJA received comments on its proposed rule from numerous 
interested parties: National police and fire associations; municipal 
police, fire, and rescue departments; survivors of fallen public safety 
officers; and individual concerned citizens, including claims 
attorneys. Additionally, Members of Congress commented on the proposal.
    Some commentators approved of the specific provisions proposed, but 
others were dissatisfied with them, finding one or another proposed 
provision confusing, unclear, or too restrictive, and expressing 
concerns about BJA's implementation of the program. One

[[Page 76521]]

Member of Congress, Representative Donald A. Manzullo, made the 
following comments in the Congressional Record:

    Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Department of Justice for 
recently proposed regulations relating to the Public Safety 
Officers' Benefit Program. The program provides death benefits for 
the survivors of public safety officers who die in the line of duty; 
and disability benefits to those officers who have been permanently 
and totally disabled by a catastrophic personal injury sustained in 
the line of duty, and thereby prevented from performing any gainful 
work; and also educational assistance benefits for surviving family 
members. Among other things, these proposed regulations will help to 
shore up the program against fraud and abuse by clarifying the 
requirements for certifications and their effect. I strongly support 
the mission of the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program, and I 
commend the Department of Justice for keeping the regulations up to 
date and for taking action to ensure that the funds available go to 
those public safety officers (and their survivors) that deserve 
them. I would like to take a moment to comment on the statutory 
predicate for some of these regulations.
    As the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recognized,\1\ Public Law 
94-430 creates a ``limited program,'' whose principal purpose is to 
help ensure that the families of ``public'' officers be protected 
from financial calamity that is likely to result from the death or 
permanent and total disability, in the line of duty, of the primary 
money-maker. The statute (including the two parallel 2001 benefits 
statutes, which do not, strictly speaking, amend the Public Law or 
directly affect the precise program it creates) enshrines various 
and competing policy considerations and purposes that it proposes to 
achieve by particular means that have been worked out, over the last 
30 years and more, in the legislative process. Because no law 
pursues its ends at all costs, the limitations expressly or 
implicitly contained in its text and structure are no less an 
articulation of its purposes (and the intent, goals, and policies 
that inform it), than its substantive grants of authority are. 
Benefits under these statutes-charges on the public fisc--are to be 
granted fairly, but not speculatively, or beyond what the statutory 
language unequivocally requires and unequivocally expresses, or 
beyond the letter of the difficult judgments reached in the 
legislative process and clearly reflected in the statutory text. It 
is precisely to enable the Department to balance and harmonize these 
various considerations into a single workable and coherent program 
that the law confers extraordinary administrative and interpretive 
authority on the Department. For example, at least seven distinct 
statutory provisions--42 U.S.C. 3796c(a) (twice), 3796(a) & (b), 
3796d-3(a) & (b), 3782(a)--expressly authorize the Department to 
issue program regulations and policies here, and the law expressly 
provides that those regulations and policies are determinative of 
conflict of law issues relating to the program, and that 
responsibility for making final determinations shall rest with the 
Department. Under the Public Law (as under the parallel 2001 
statutes), the very right to a death or disability benefit, which 
the Supreme Court correctly has recognized as a legal ```gratuity''' 
\2\ (and thus not ``remedial'' in nature), is not freestanding, but 
contingent, rather, upon a determination by the Department.
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    \1\ Russell, 637 F.2d 1261 (1980); Holstine, No. 80-7477 (Aug. 
4, 1982), 688 F.2d 846 (table).
    \2\ Rose v. Arkansas State Police, 479 U.S. 1, 4 (1986) (quoting 
legislative history).
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    When Public Law 94-430 was enacted in 1976, only the Circuit 
Courts or the old Court of Claims (of similar rank) heard appeals 
from final rulings of the Department of Justice thereunder, which 
meant that only one level of judicial review ordinarily was 
available to claimants and the Department, alike. In 1982 (when the 
appellate functions of the Court of Claims generally were merged 
into the newly-created Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), 
jurisdiction over these appeals--apparently as a result of an 
oversight--was not transferred to the Federal Circuit, and thus 
(unlike the case with other administrative appeals, see, e.g., 28 
U.S.C. 1295, 1296), by default, lay in what is now the Court of 
Federal Claims, established under Article I of the Constitution, 
rather than Article III, with an additional level of appeals 
available in the Federal Circuit. Although there are notable and 
distinguished exceptions,\3\ over the past decade or so, many of the 
Federal Claims Court's rulings on these appeals applied the law 
incorrectly,\4\ sometimes disregarding the express terms of the 
relevant statute \5\ or implementing regulations,\6\ or binding and 
applicable Federal Circuit/Court of Claims precedent,\7\

[[Page 76522]]

and even Supreme Court precedent.\8\ To order the administering 
agency to pay on a claim when payment is not clearly warranted by 
the programmatic statutes and their implementing regulations and 
administrative interpretive superstructure is as much an affront to 
the law as for the agency not to pay when payment is clearly 
required by those statutes and regulations.
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    \3\ E.g., Dawson, 75 Fed. Cl. 53 (2007); LaBare, 72 Fed. Cl. 111 
(2006); Cook, No. 05-1050C (Jun. 15, 2006); Porter, 64 Fed. Cl. 143 
(2005); One Feather, 61 Fed. Cl. 619 (2004); Davison, No. 99-361C, 
(Apr. 19, 2002); Brister, No. 01-180C (Mar. 27, 2002); Yanco, 45 
Fed. Cl. 782 (2000); Ramos-V[eacute]lez, No. 93-588C (Jan. 31, 
1995); Chacon, 32 Fed. Cl. 684 (1995); Nease, No. 91-1518C (Mar. 29, 
1993); see also Cartwright, 16 Cl. Ct. 238 (1989); Durco, 14 Cl. Ct. 
423 (1988); Wydra, No. 764-83C (Jan. 31, 1986); Tafoya, 8 Cl. Ct. 
256 (1985); North, 555 F.Supp. 832 (1982). When appealed, these 
decisions invariably have been affirmed.
    \4\ E.g., Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. 207 (2007) (holding that the 
Department was required to accept, as legally sufficient 
certifications, instruments and language that would have been 
insufficient even for an ordinary certificate of service in court); 
White, 74 Fed. Cl. 769 (2006), appeal filed, No. 2007-5126; 
Hillensbeck, 74 Fed. Cl. 477 (2006) (holding that the position of 
the Department (which was actually correct, see, e.g., Nease, supra, 
slip op. at 5 n.4; 132 Cong. Rec. 27,928-929 (1986) (colloquy 
between Sens. Sasser and Thurmond)) was ``substantially 
unjustified''); Bice, 72 Fed. Cl. 432 (2006); Groff, 72 Fed. Cl. 68 
(2006); Messick, 70 Fed. Cl. 319 (2006); Hillensbeck, 69 Fed. Cl. 
369 (2006) (this holding immediately occasioned the enactment of 
corrective legislation, Pub. L. 109-162, Sec.  1164(a)(2)); 
Cassella, 68 Fed. Cl. 189 (2005); Hawkins, 68 Fed. Cl. 74 (2005) 
(this holding immediately occasioned the enactment of corrective 
legislation, see Pub. L. 109-162, Sec.  1164(a)(4)); Hillensbeck, 68 
Fed. Cl. 62 (2005); Bice, 61 Fed. Cl. 420 (2004); Davis, 50 Fed. Cl. 
192 (2001); Demutiis, 48 Fed. Cl. 81 (2000); Davis, 46 Fed. Cl. 421 
(2000); Greeley, 30 Fed. Cl. 721 (1994); see also Canfield, No. 339-
79C (July 27, 1982).
    \5\ E.g., Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. at 225 (directing the agency to pay 
only one of two living parents the full benefit amount, despite the 
statutory command that the amount be divided between living parents 
``in equal shares''), and at 224 (holding certain instruments to be 
legally sufficient certifications, even though they did not contain 
elements expressly required by the statute--e.g., ``identification 
of all eligible payees of benefits,'' and acknowledgment that the 
decedent actually was ``employed by [the certifying] agency'' 
itself), and at 220-21 (holding that ``under the statute the 
[agency] is directed to expedite payment without further inquiry 
upon the requisite certification,'' even though the statute 
distinguishes between ``eligible payees of benefits'' (i.e., 
individuals--potentially eligible for payment of benefits under the 
statute--for whom the certifications are made by the public safety 
agencies), on the one hand, and ``qualified beneficiaries'' (i.e., 
individuals whose claims the Department of Justice determines to 
qualify for benefits under the statute and implementing regulations, 
upon considering those certifications as prima facie evidence), on 
the other), and at 218-225 (holding that a certification under the 
2001 statutes could go to status (i.e., that they authorize 
certification that an individual was an officer at the time of 
injury), even though, under those statutes, such certifications may 
go only to line-of-duty (i.e., properly speaking, they authorize 
certification only that an individual, acknowledged otherwise to 
have the requisite status, ``was killed or suffered a catastrophic 
injury'' under the required circumstances); Hillensbeck, 69 Fed. Cl. 
381-82 and 68 Fed. Cl. at 73-74 (holding, despite an express 
statutory reference to ``public employee member of a rescue squad or 
ambulance crew,'' that the agency committed legal error in 
understanding the statute to require members of rescue squads or 
ambulance crews to be public employees).
    \6\ E.g., Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. at 222 (holding the agency to have 
committed legal error, ``in the absence* * * of a regulatory 
definition of service to a public agency in an official capacity''); 
but see 28 CFR 32.3 (containing a highly relevant definition of 
``Official capacity''), and at 220-21 (holding that ``under the 
statute the [agency] is directed to expedite payment without further 
inquiry upon the requisite certification''); but see 28 CFR 32.3 
(definitions of ``Eligible payee'' ] (1), ``Employed by a public 
agency'' ] (1), & ``Qualified beneficiary'' ] (1)(i)), 
32.6(b)(2)(ii), 32.53(b)(2)); Bice, 61 Fed. Cl. at 434 (finding the 
agency to have committed prejudicial legal error when it declined to 
consider action by a private non-profit memorial foundation 
chartered under State law to be ``evidence [or a] finding[] of fact 
presented by [a] State, local, [or] Federal administrative [or] 
investigating agenc[y]'' under since-repealed 28 CFR Sec.  32.5).
    \7\ E.g., (a) Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. at 221-22, 225 (giving 
dispositive effect to post-hoc State government action purporting to 
alter the actual facts at issue; but see Chacon, 48 F.3d 508, 513 
(1995) (post-hoc State government actions ``do not erase the 
fact[s]''); cf. also Groff, 493 F.3d 1343, 1355 (2007) (``post-
mortem statements'' of government agencies do not ``transform[ 
private parties] into government employees'')), and at 218-21 
(declaring it erroneous for the agency not to have understood 
``should'' to mean ``must''; but see Maggit, 202 F.3d 1370, 1378 
(2000) (``should'' in benefits law not understood to mean 
``must'')), and at 224 (holding the decedent's lack of any legal 
authority or legal duty to engage in public safety activity to be 
irrelevant to whether he was a public safety officer (as opposed to 
being a good Samaritan); but see Amber-Messick, 483 F.3d 1316, 1323-
25 (2007) (public safety officer status turns on actual legal 
authority to engage in requisite public safety activity); Cassella, 
469 F.3d 1376, 1386 (2006) (public safety officer status turns on 
whether one is ``appointed for and given the authorization or 
obligation to perform [requisite public safety] duties''); Hawkins, 
469 F.3d 993 (2006) (the decedent's ``actual responsibilities or 
obligations as appointed, rather than some theoretical 
authorizations, are controlling'' for determining public safety 
officer status); Howard, 231 Ct. Cl. 507, 510 (1981) (``eligibility 
under the Act turns on whether the specific activity causing death 
was an inherent part of employment as an officer and whether it was 
required'' of the decedent); Budd, 225 Ct. Cl. 725, 726-27 n.6 
(1980) (the activity causing ``the death must be `authorized, 
required, or normally associated with' an officer's * * * 
duties''));
    (b) White, 74 Fed. Cl. at 776-79 (terming ``ridiculous'' the 
agency's position that the inchoate right to the gratuity expired 
upon the death of the statutory beneficiary prior to actually 
receiving it); but see Semple, 24 Ct. Cl. 422 (1889) (the inchoate 
right to a legal gratuity expires upon the death of a statutory 
beneficiary prior to actually receiving it); cf. also 16 Att'y Gen. 
408 (1879));
    (c) Hillensbeck, 74 Fed. Cl. at 481 (directly contrary to the 
precise rationale that informs the Federal Circuit's reversal of the 
same judge, a few days earlier, in a substantially-similar case, 
Hawkins, 469 F.3d 993, 1002 (2006)), and at 482-84 (adjusting and 
awarding attorney fees in a manner directly contrary to the holding 
in Levernier Constr., 947 F.2d 497, 503-04 (1997)); and
    (d) Davis, 50 Fed. Cl. at 211 and 46 Fed. Cl. at 424-25 
(declaring controlling language in Budd, 225 Ct. Cl. at 727 n.6, to 
be mere ``dicta'' and ``non-precedential,'' and either 
``erroneous[]'' or ``mistaken[]''); but see Howard, 229 Ct. Cl. at 
510 (holding that same Budd language to be legally 
``dispositive'')).
    \8\ E.g., Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. at 225 (declaring the 2001 statutes 
to be ``remedial laws''); White, 74 Fed. Cl. 773 (declaring Pub.L. 
94-430 to be a ``remedial statute''); LaBare, 72 Fed. Cl. at 124 (a 
correct ruling, overall, but unfortunately describing P.L. 94-430 as 
``remedial legislation''); Bice, 72 Fed. Cl. at 450 (declaring Pub. 
L. 94-430 to be a ``remedial statute''); Groff, 72 Fed. Cl. at 79 
(declaring P.L. 94-430 to be ``remedial in nature''); Bice, 61 Fed. 
Cl. at 435 (declaring P.L. 94-430 to be a ``remedial statute''); 
Davis, 50 Fed. Cl. at 208 (describing P.L. 94-430 in remedial 
terms); Demutiis, 48 Fed. Cl. at 86 (declaring P.L. 94-430 to be 
``remedial in nature''); but see Rose, 479 U.S. at 4 (holding the 
program benefit to be a legal ```gratuity''' (cf. Lynch, 292 U.S. 
571, 577 (1934); 36 Att'y Gen. 227, 230 (1930))). No opinion of the 
Federal Circuit/Court of Claims describes the program as 
``remedial.''
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    Overall, the sixteen opinions issued to date by the Federal 
Circuit (and its predecessor) under the statute \9\ indicate a 
proper understanding of the law and the application of the Chevron 
doctrine to the Department's determinations. (All but two of these 
opinions were affirmances of the administering agency; in Demutiis, 
the agency was affirmed on all points but a very minor one (relating 
to application of a (now-repealed) regulation),\10\ and the 1980 
holding in Harold, which reversed the Department's determination, 
itself soon thereafter was rendered moot, as a practical matter, by 
a statutory amendment consonant with the Department's position.) For 
these reasons, the corrective proviso in the consolidated 
appropriations legislation, entrusting judicial appeals under Public 
Law 94-430 (and the two 2001 statutes) exclusively to the Federal 
Circuit\11\ (and returning to a single level of judicial review, as 
originally intended) should further the purposes of the program, 
reduce litigation costs for claimants and the taxpayers, and serve 
the interests of justice.
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    \9\ Groff, 493 F.3d 1343 (2007) (two cases); Amber-Messick, 483 
F.3d 1316 (2007); Cassella, 469 F.3d 1376 (2006); Hawkins, 469 F.3d 
993 (2006); Demutiis, 291 F.3d 1373 (2002); Yanco, 258 F.3d 1356 
(2001); Greeley, 50 F.3d 1009 (1995); Chacon, 48 F.3d 508 (1995); 
Canfield, No. 339-79 (Dec. 29, 1982); Russell, 231 Ct. Cl. 1022 
(1982); Melville, 231 Ct. Cl. 776 (1982); Howard, 231 Ct. Cl. 507 
(1981); Smykowski, 647 F.2d 1103 (1981); Morrow, 647 F.2d 1099 
(1981); Budd, 225 Ct. Cl. 725 (1980); Harold, 634 F.2d 547 (1980). 
No opinion was issued in Bice, 227 Fed. App'x 927 (2007); Porter, 
176 Fed. App'x 111 (2006); or One Feather, 132 Fed. App'x 840 
(2005).
    \10\ Without opinion, in Bice, the Federal Circuit affirmed the 
Federal Claims Court judgment, which was based entirely on a 
misapplication of this same now-repealed regulation.
    \11\ In providing that the ``appeals from final decisions of the 
Bureau'' that it refers to specifically include those ``under any 
statute authorizing payment of benefits described under subpart 1'' 
of Pub. L. 90-351, title I, part L (i.e., the 2001 statutes), the 
legislation (among other things) is framed to counter the holding in 
Winuk, 77 Fed. Cl. at 220-21, that ``under the statute the [agency] 
is directed to expedite payment without further inquiry upon the 
requisite certification,'' as a result of which holding the 
Department was ordered by the court to accept as ``certified'' 
purported ``facts'' that were known not to be true, and, further, to 
accept such ``certification'' not as mere prima facie evidence 
(rebuttable by other evidence) of those purported ``facts,'' but as 
dispositive and binding on the Department, thus purporting to deny 
it its legal authority to render meaningful, substantive ``final 
decisions'' under those statutes.

154 Cong. Rec. E1,833 (daily ed., Sept. 18, 2008) (some minor 
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formatting changes made).

    Finally, the Department held a conference call with representatives 
from the following organizations, shortly after the notice of proposed 
rulemaking was issued, in which it provided a briefing on the proposals 
and offered an opportunity for questions and answers: Fraternal Order 
of Police, National Sheriffs' Association, International Association of 
Fire Chiefs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, National 
Association of Police Organizations, Major County Sheriffs' 
Association, Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York City, 
Concerns of Police Survivors, Congressional Fire Services Institute, 
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National 
Fire Protection Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, 
International Association of Women Police.
    After careful consideration and analysis of all comments received, 
BJA made amendments that are incorporated into this final rule. In 
addition, the final rule contains a few clarifying changes to 
provisions in the proposed rule where there were some previously 
unnoticed ambiguities, or where the language was more complex than 
necessary. This final rule is intended (insofar as consistent with law) 
to be effective and applicable to all claims from and after the 
effective date hereof, whether pending (in any stage) as of that date 
or subsequently filed. A general discussion of the comments received 
and changes made, broken out generally by topic area, follows:
     Authorized commuting. Several comments on this proposed 
definition were received, some of which questioned whether the proposed 
changes (which generally are intended to broaden the scope of coverage) 
were unduly narrow. Overall, the comments focused particularly on four 
points. First, some commentators objected to the proposed addition of 
``(as authorized)'' to paragraph (1) of the definition, opining that 
the added term could preclude eligibility for benefits ``unless the 
qualifying public safety officer was specifically `authorized' to 
respond to the public safety emergency.'' These commentators 
misunderstand the term, which is in no way limited to direct, 
particular, or specific authorizations and would not require that the 
responses at issue be ``specifically'' authorized. Nothing in the 
proposed rule indicated, or should be understood to indicate, such a 
result, which would be sharply contrary to OJP's intention, which is to 
cover both general authorizations (e.g., any response obligated or 
authorized by statute, rule, regulation, condition of employment or 
service, official mutual-aid agreement, or other law, under the 
auspices of the relevant public agency), and specific authorizations 
(e.g., any response obligated or authorized by particular direction, 
indication, or command).
    Second, some commentators questioned the use of ``and 
extraordinary'' in the portion of paragraph (1) of the definition that 
was proposed to expand coverage, asking whether the term were ``a 
reference to dangerous circumstances''--as opposed to a reference to 
something that ``simply is not commonplace''--and insisted that 
eligibility should not be precluded in cases where the injury was 
sustained during travel ``pursuant to a particular request'' by the 
public safety agency, to perform even non-dangerous line of duty public 
safety activity. OJP agrees, and nothing in the proposed rule 
indicated, or should be understood to indicate, otherwise. In the 
proposed rule, the term ``extraordinary'' was intended to mean nothing 
more and

[[Page 76523]]

nothing less than what it says on its face: ``not ordinary.'' As was 
stated in the preamble to the PSOB rule promulgated on August 10, 2006,

although the PSOB Act does not cover all conceivable commuting 
injuries, neither does it or the term ``line of duty'' exclude all 
commuting injuries. [T]he definition of ``authorized commuting'' in 
the proposed regulation is consistent with this understanding. The 
definition is based on the concept of ``line of duty'' under both 
the current and final rules: When a public safety officer is engaged 
in activities or actions that he is obligated or authorized to 
perform as a public safety officer, he is acting in the line of 
duty, or is, in effect, ``on duty.'' In general, under workers' 
compensation law, injuries incurred while commuting to and from work 
are not necessarily regarded as occurring within the scope of 
employment, except under certain circumstances where it can be shown 
that there is a `` `sufficient nexus between the employment and the 
injury to conclude that it was a circumstance of employment.' '' 
Russell, 637 F.2d at 1265 (quoting Hicks v. General Motors, 238 
N.W.2d 194, 196 (Mich. Ct. App. 1975)). * * * In the case of 
officers who are commuting to or from work [other than under certain 
circumstances], the ordinary line of duty analysis would apply: 
Where it can be shown that they were injured while engaging in line 
of duty activities or actions, or that they sustained the injury as 
a result of their status as public safety officers, they would be 
considered as acting in the line of duty.

71 FR 46,028, 46,032-033. The term ``extraordinary'' accordingly is 
used in the provision to preclude any suggestion or inference that the 
portion of paragraph (1) that would expand coverage encompasses 
ordinary commuting.
    Third, some commentators made the excellent suggestion that the 
definition also should cover travel pursuant to a public safety 
agency's call for one of its public safety officers to perform 
emergency response activity within the agency's authority (as opposed 
to a call to perform only one of the four specific species of public 
safety activity otherwise defined in the regulations). OJP agrees and 
accordingly has made changes in paragraph (1) of this definition, in 
paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of the definition of Line of duty activity or line 
of duty action, and in section 32.5(i).
    Finally, one commentator expressed sound concerns that the proposed 
definition did not make clear that the word ``situs'' therein referred 
to any place designated for the performance of public safety activity. 
A conforming change has been made to the rule.
     Divorce. One commentator correctly pointed out that the 
definition of this term, as proposed, did not make clear on its face 
that a legal divorce (discussed in the first half of the definition) 
always trumps the de-facto-divorce provisions in the second half 
thereof. A change has been made accordingly.
     Certification. The proposed provisions generated several 
different comments, but overall the general concern was that the 
provisions--particularly as applied to prerequisite certifications 
currently described in sections 32.15 and 32.25 of the PSOB regulations 
and most particularly as applied to ``claimants, who may not be 
sophisticated''--potentially could ``result in the improper rejection 
of certain claims on non-substantive, technical grounds'' by 
``requiring a near-impossible-to-attain level of precision.'' These 
comments, which often were grounded in significant misconceptions of 
the facts and holdings of decisions of the Court of Federal Claims, are 
somewhat inapposite, because (as indicated in the preamble to the 
proposed rule) the thrust of these provisions is merely to incorporate 
current general agency practice into the body of the regulations: The 
primary purpose of placement in the regulations, therefore, is to 
provide the public with clear notice of what the agency in main already 
has been doing in the PSOB Program for years (in an effort to ``help to 
shore up the program against fraud and abuse,'' as Rep. Manzullo 
recognized), not to provide the agency with a regulatory predicate to 
start a new practice. (This is in keeping with the holdings of the 
Federal Circuit in Amber-Messick v. United States, 483 F.3d 1316 
(2007), cert. denied, 128 S.Ct. 648 (2007); Groff v. United States, 493 
F.3d 1343 (2007), cert. denied, 128 S.Ct. 1219 (2008), that the 
agency's practice already has ``the force of law,'' even if not in the 
regulation) In sum, the apprehensions of the commentators on this point 
are unwarranted, particularly as sections 32.15 and 32.25 both contain 
express provisions for administrative waiver of the certification 
requirements. In connection with the hundreds of claims that it has 
processed with the basic substance of the proposed definition of 
Certification in place, BJA has not hesitated to waive the 
certification requirements as appropriate. Moreover, where there has 
been a significant defect (as to form or substance) in certifications 
that have been received, BJA's invariable practice has been to offer 
the certifying party (almost always a public agency, rather than a 
claimant) ample notice of the defect and ample opportunity to cure it.
     Commonly accepted. Several commentators, apprehensive as 
to how it might come to be applied, objected to what they seem to have 
believed was a proposed ``new'' definition of Commonly accepted. No 
``new'' definition of that term was proposed: The same definition, 
rather, currently found in the regulation at section 32.13 (and applied 
to hundreds of PSOB claims, without incident, for several years), 
simply was proposed to be moved, without any change whatsoever, to 
section 32.3.
     Training. Several comments (one of which was very 
favorable) were received in connection with the proposed provisions 
relating to training. The critical comments focused particularly on 
four points. First, some commentators objected variously to the 
proposed inclusion of ``official'' and/or ``his public agency'' in 
connection with ``training program'' within the definitions of Line of 
duty activity or line of duty action and Participation in a training 
exercise, and suggested that the words ``official'' and/or ``his public 
agency'' be removed, because ``a plain reading of the proposed language 
would seem to suggest that a local or State law enforcement officer who 
attends a training program conducted by the Federal government and dies 
as a result of his participation in the program would not be considered 
as having died in the line of duty, even if the officer's employing 
agency approved or even directed that the officer participate in the 
training program.'' These commentators misunderstand the rule; 
specifically, the commentators appear to misapprehend the significance 
of the definition (included in the proposed rule) of Official training 
program of a public agency, which expressly encompassed any program 
whatsoever--``(1) That is officially sponsored, -conducted, or -
authorized by the public agency; and (2) Whose purpose is to train 
public safety officers in (or to improve their skills in), specific 
activity or actions encompassed within their respective lines of 
duty.'' OJP intended this proposed definition to be applied to the term 
found in the proposed definitions of Line of duty activity or line of 
duty action and Participation in a training exercise, and nothing in 
the proposed rule indicated, or should be understood to indicate, 
otherwise or to require that the officer's public agency itself offer 
the training: Under the rule, it suffices on this point merely that the 
training be sponsored, conducted, or authorized by the officer's public 
agency. To clarify any possible confusion here, OJP has amended the 
term defined to read ``Official training program of a public safety 
officer's public agency,'' and has made conforming changes in its text.

[[Page 76524]]

    Second, some commentators objected variously to the proposed 
inclusion of ``mandatory'' in connection with training activity in the 
definition of Participation in a training exercise, and suggested that 
it be removed, because it could ``exclude officers who, even with their 
agencies' approval, participate in voluntary training.'' As to the word 
``mandatory,'' the comments have persuaded OJP that the provision as 
proposed would (inadvertently) make the rule more restrictive than the 
statute; accordingly (as described immediately below) it has made 
changes in the final rule to ensure that non-mandatory activity also is 
covered.
    Third, as to the proposed inclusion of ``formal'' and/or 
``structured,'' the comments appear to misapprehend the statute. For 
the presumption established by 42 U.S.C. 3796(k) to arise, a public 
safety officer must have ``engaged in a situation * * * involv[ing 
certain public safety] activity'' or ``participated in a training 
exercise.'' Applying the traditional interpretive canon noscitur a 
sociis, see, e.g., Hibbs v. Winn, 542 U.S. 88 (2004); Gutierrez v. Ada, 
528 U.S. 250, 255 (2000) (``Words and people are known by their 
companions.''), BJA has understood the use of ``participation in a 
training exercise'' in the statute to be informed by the parallel use 
there of ``engagement in a situation involving public safety 
activity'': There is a distinction between ``engagement in a situation 
involving public safety activity'' (which is what the statute requires 
as a predicate for the presumption, and notionally would include such 
things as--

involvement in a physical struggle with a suspected or convicted 
criminal; performing a search and rescue mission; performing or 
assisting with emergency medical treatment; performing or assisting 
with fire suppression; involvement in a situation that requires 
either a high speed response or pursuit on foot or in a vehicle; 
participation in hazardous material response; responding to a riot 
that broke out at a public event; and physically engaging in the 
arrest or apprehension of a suspected criminal[,]

149 Cong. Rec. H12,299 to H12,300 (daily ed., Nov. 21, 2003) (statement 
of Rep. Sensenbrenner); id. at S16,053 (Nov. 25, 2003) (statement of 
Sen. Leahy)), on the one hand, and mere ``engagement in public safety 
activity'' (which could include--

sitting at a desk; typing on a computer; talking on the telephone; 
reading or writing paperwork or other literature; watching a police 
or corrections facility's monitors of cells or grounds; teaching a 
class; cleaning or organizing an emergency response vehicle; signing 
in or out a prisoner; driving a vehicle on routine patrol; and 
directing traffic at or participating in a local parade[,]

149 Cong. Rec. at H12,300; id. at S16,053--all of which are important 
public safety activities, but nonetheless do not give rise to the 
presumption), on the other. And just as ``engagement in a situation 
involving public safety activity'' is not the same thing as mere 
``engagement in public safety activity,'' so ``participation in a 
training exercise'' (which is what the statute requires as a predicate 
for the presumption and suggests a certain concreteness analogous to 
that implied by ``engagement in a situation'') is not the same thing as 
mere ``training.'' The use of ``formal'' and ``structured'' (and other 
terms) in the current, proposed, and final definitions of Participation 
in a training exercise thus are intended to effectuate the term (``a 
training exercise'') actually used in 42 U.S.C. 3796(k). In sum, the 
single word ``mandatory'' in the proposed definition of Participation 
in a training exercise has been replaced with ``mandatory, rated (i.e., 
officially tested, -graded, -judged, -timed, etc.), or directly 
supervised, -proctored, or -monitored,'' which BJA believes to conform 
accurately to the concreteness implied by statutory term ``a training 
exercise.'' Of course, in the definition of Line of duty activity or 
line of duty action where section 3796(k) is not implicated (and thus 
where there is no statutory requirement that there be ``a training 
exercise''), mere ``training'' in the line of duty, rather than 
``participation in a training exercise,'' would be sufficient on this 
point.
    Finally, BJA received one comment on its proposal to include 
``trainers,'' expressly, within paragraph (1)(ii)(B) of the definition 
of Line of duty activity or line of duty action (i.e., within the 
provision relating to ``secondary-duty'' officers); specifically, the 
commentator urged the agency to include ``primary-duty'' trainers, as 
well. The commentator appears to have misunderstood the structure of 
the regulation. Assuming the training activity to be obligated or 
authorized by statute, rule, regulation, condition of employment or 
service, official mutual-aid agreement, or other law, under the 
auspices of the relevant public agency, ``primary-duty'' trainers (like 
``primary duty'' trainees, and ``secondary-duty'' trainees) already are 
covered by the provisions of paragraph (1). The change in the 
regulation will enable ``secondary-duty'' trainers to be covered, as 
well.
     Heart attack. One commentator thought the proposed 
definition of this term to be too broad. Other commentators suggested 
that the proposed definition, which is broader than the definition 
currently found in the regulations, should be broadened further to 
cover ``situations where the heart stops due to chest trauma'' (e.g., 
from ``a lethal, heart-stopping blow to the chest'' received in the 
line of duty). These latter commentators misunderstand the function of 
this definition, which applies only where the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 
3796(k) (which create a legal presumption of injury under certain 
circumstances where there is no actual injury) are implicated. The 
principal operative provision of the PSOB Program, however, is 42 
U.S.C. 3796(a), which comes into play whenever ``a public safety 
officer has died as the direct and proximate result of a personal 
injury sustained in the line of duty.'' (A similar provision, 
applicable only to permanent and total disability, rather than death, 
is found at 42 U.S.C. 3796(b).) Since the very beginning of the program 
(in 1976), the Department consistently has understood 42 U.S.C. 3796(a) 
(and also 42 U.S.C. 3796(b), since its enactment) to cover every 
situation where the heart of a public safety officer has stopped due to 
chest trauma received in the line of duty. In other words, a claim 
based on an officer who, in the line of duty, receives a heart-stopping 
blow to the chest that causes his death has no need of the presumption 
established by 42 U.S.C. 3796(k), because that blow in principle would 
be an ``injury'' that already is covered under 42 U.S.C. 3796(a), 
without any regard whatsoever to the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 3796(k). 
As was stated in the preamble to the PSOB rule proposed on July 26, 
2005,

    Where the requirements of [42 U.S.C. 3796(k)] are not met (e.g., 
where disability (rather than death) results), the absence of the 
statutory presumption does not necessarily entail the failure of 
claims based on heart attack or stroke; all such claims, rather, are 
governed by the ordinary rules applicable to the PSOB program. See, 
e.g., Greeley v. United States, 50 F.3d 1009 (Fed. Cir. 1995); Durco 
v. United States, 14 Cl. Ct. 424 (1988); North v. United States, 555 
F.Supp. 382 (Cl. Ct. 1982); Russell v. United States, 231 Ct. Cl. 
1022 (1982); Smykowski v. United States, 647 F.2d 1103 (Ct. Cl. 
1981); Morrow v. United States, 647 F.2d 1099 (Ct. Cl. 1981).

71 FR 43,078, 46,079; see also Cook v. United States, No. 05-1050C 
(Fed. Cl., June 15, 2006); Askew v. United States, No. 542-83C (Cl. 
Ct., Aug. 27, 1984); Gudzunas v. United States, No. 446-83C (Cl. Ct., 
July 2, 1984); Canfield v. United States, No. 339-79 (Fed. Cir., Dec. 
29, 1982).

    One commentator also proposed adding a list of medical conditions 
to the definition of Heart attack (and to the definition of Stroke). 
All of the items on

[[Page 76525]]

the two suggested lists that actually are heart attacks or strokes are 
covered by the proposed change in the regulations.
    BJA understands the proposed definition of Heart attack, to which 
no change has been made, to cover everything that is commonly 
understood within the medical profession to be a ``heart attack'' (and 
nothing more) and thus to give full effect to the provisions of 42 
U.S.C. 3796(k).
     Notice of potential existence of ``competent medical 
evidence to the contrary'' (32.14(c)). The proposed provisions relating 
to requests for information in connection with the potential existence 
of ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' appear to have 
generated considerable confusion, which may have arisen through an 
apparent misapprehension on the part of some commentators (though not 
all) as to the purpose of proposed section 32.14(c), and the October 2, 
2007, policy memorandum from which it derives. Contrary to this 
misapprehension, proposed section 32.14(c) (like the policy memorandum) 
relates only to the question of when BJA should ``request'' specific 
medical history records from the claimant relating to ``competent 
medical evidence to the contrary''; neither the memorandum nor the 
proposed section relates at all to the very different question of 
whether ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' actually exists 
or not, such that the claim should be denied. In other words, the 
purpose of the proposed provision (like that of the policy memorandum) 
was to govern when (and under what circumstances) the PSOB Office would 
provide the claimant with notice that the claim file appeared to 
contain ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' that made it 
possible/likely that the claim was going to fail, unless sufficient 
medical history records (or other evidence) could be provided to 
counter it; in sharp contrast, nothing in the proposed provision (or 
the memorandum) spoke to what the PSOB Office should, or should not, 
consider ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' itself to be: 
That term is defined in (and governed by) the regulations, at section 
32.13. Thus, the provision in the memorandum that ``the mere presence 
of cardio-vascular disease/risk factors * * * shall not be considered'' 
means that those factors ``shall not be considered'' for purposes of 
determining whether or not to provide the claimant with notice (i.e., 
for purposes of ``requesting'' medical history records); it does not 
mean that the presence of those factors ``shall not be considered'' in 
determining if there is ``competent medical evidence to the contrary.'' 
It is important to recall that the memorandum was issued in response to 
the Congressional outcry (late in the summer of 2007) over an agency 
practice (in place from September 2006 to early spring of 2007) to 
obtain 10 years of medical history records as a matter of course in 
connection with every claim that implicated the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 
3796(k), even where there were nothing in the claim file that 
affirmatively suggested that ``competent medical evidence to the 
contrary'' might be a relevant consideration in determining the claim. 
As indicated in the report by the Department's Office of the Inspector 
General on the Department's ``Implementation of the Hometown Heroes 
Survivors Benefits Act of 2003'' ( I-2008-05, p. 27 (March 
2008)), the Director of BJA issued the memorandum to enshrine in 
writing a policy that the PSOB Office should ``request'' such records 
only where there was such a suggestion:

    On October 2, 2007, the BJA Director issued a memorandum 
directing the PSOB Office to request 10 years of medical records for 
Hometown Heroes Act claims only if the evidence in a case file 
suggests that something other than the line-of-duty activity caused 
the heart attack or stroke. If an autopsy report, coroner's report, 
or death certificate identifies the presence of cardiovascular 
disease or other risk factors, this information will not be 
considered unless the case file shows that the decedent knew of and 
continued to aggravate these conditions.

Nonetheless, as indicated above, many commentators appear to have 
misunderstood the purpose of the proposed provision (and the policy 
memorandum); in contrast, one very-detailed comment, from a claims 
attorney, clearly did grasp the essence of the matter correctly: This 
latter comment, although generally favorable to the proposed rule, was 
severely critical of proposed section 32.14(c). In particular, the 
commentator was disturbed by proposed paragraph 32.14(c)(3), because--

[b]y its terms, unless the extremely restrictive conditions 
specified at (c)(1) and (c)(2) are satisfied, it would seem to 
forbid the PSOB Office from informing a practitioner/claimant that 
there is a problem with the claim that medical history records could 
cure, even if the problem is only a minor one and easily curable.

    The commentator found it difficult to understand why the provision 
was proposed,

which would doom some claims to be denied at the initial level, when 
a simple notice to the claimants or their counsel could save them. * 
* * A more perfect plan to deny claims, or make them more expensive 
by forcing appeals unnecessarily, could hardly be devised. I hope 
this was not intentional.

    In addition, the commentator objected to proposed paragraph 
32.14(c)(4):

* * * I had thought the Department's job was to ``consider'' all the 
evidence filed in connection with a claim, whether supportive of the 
claim or not. Does this proposed provision mean that the Department 
will not be ``considering'' all evidence filed in connection with 
claims? If so, what, exactly, will the Department be doing with such 
evidence, and on what legal basis will it not be ``considering'' it? 
If not, what possible purpose can be served by specifying, in just 
this one limited circumstance, that the evidence will be considered? 
Has no lawyer in the Administration ever heard of the ``expressio 
unius exclusio alterius'' canon of construction?

The commentator also criticized the use of the term ``request'' in 
proposed paragraphs 32.14(c)(1) and (c)(3), as being inconsistent with 
the regulatory provisions governing burdens of proof; to this end 
(unless the term were removed in the final rule), the commentator 
requested clarification ``[i]f the `request' reference is intended to 
mean anything other than merely offering practitioners/claimants a 
reminder notice of their open and ongoing opportunity to file 
evidence.'' Finally, the commentator asked for clarification as to the 
relationship between the term Risky behavior, found in the current 
regulations, and the term ``reckless behavior,'' used in proposed 
section 32.14(c)(2)(i), opining that it would have a deleterious effect 
on claims if the two terms were not defined identically; the 
commentator suggested that, to avoid this deleterious effect, in that 
section the latter term should be replaced by the former, because ``the 
term `risky' behavior here offers distinct advantages, in that the 
term, as defined in the regulation, has a very precise and strictly 
limited meaning, while `reckless' behavior, unless otherwise defined in 
some restrictive way, would seem to have a free ranging and very broad 
meaning.'' The commentator went on to suggest that, because ``all PSOB 
claims are subject to the provisions of section 1202(1), (2), and (3)'' 
of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 
the relationship between those statutory provisions and the regulatory 
definition of Risky behavior should be specified in the regulations so 
as to avoid uncertainty.
    Some aspects of the immediately-foregoing comments (though not the 
particular and concrete details) were echoed in the comments received 
from a national organization, which added its

[[Page 76526]]

concern that under ``the rules as written * * * officers may choose not 
to seek medical attention * * * since it could be in their best 
interests not to document those issues in their medical record,'' and 
expressed regret that, under the proposed rule, ``now, PSOB is being 
looked at as an entitlement.'' Finally, several other commentators 
indicated dissatisfaction with the structure of proposed paragraphs 
32.14(c)(1) and (c)(2), finding it to be confusing and unnecessarily 
complex.
    Further to the foregoing comments, the agency has made several 
changes to this provision, simplifying the structure of what was 
proposed as paragraphs 32.14(c)(1) and (c)(2) (largely, though not 
exactly, along the lines suggested by several commentators), and 
removing the predicates for the ``expressio unius exclusio alterius'' 
and ``forbidden communications'' problems correctly pointed out by the 
commentator (discussed in detail above). Lest there be any 
misunderstanding, the agency wishes to emphasize that the provisions of 
paragraph 32.14(c) will govern when medical history records will be 
``requested'' in connection with PSOB Office determinations of whether 
there is ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' or not: Under 
the provision, the mere existence of cardio-vascular-disease risk 
factors (even severe ones) will not trigger such a ``request''; rather, 
only where the claim file already contains indications that there may 
be ``competent medical evidence to the contrary'' (i.e., evidence that 
could defeat the claim) will the agency ``request'' information from 
the claimant. In other words, although a claimant always may provide 
the agency with evidence, information, and legal arguments in support 
of the claim, under section 32.14(c) the agency itself will take the 
proactive step of advising the claimant of a perceived weakness in the 
claim (relating to ``competent medical evidence to the contrary''), so 
that the claimant may act (if he wishes) to remedy that weakness.
     Definition of ``Act'' (and effective-date provisions). One 
comment correctly pointed out that, despite express reference to Dawson 
v. United States, 75 Fed. Cl. 53 (2007) (involving the issue of when 
and how statutory amendments become effective), the proposed rule, 
which contained ``numerous references to the effective dates of 
statutory enactments where those enactments themselves specify 
precisely how and when they become effective'' omitted any ``provision 
indicating the effective date, or the manner of application, where 
those enactments do not so specify.'' The rule has been changed to 
correct this omission, in keeping with Dawson and Bice v. United 
States, 61 Fed. Cl. 420, 437 (2004). (The change relates strictly to 
statutory amendments, however; regulatory amendments, including this 
final rule, will continue to be governed by a different principle, see 
generally, e.g., Rodriguez v. Peake, 511 F.3d 1147 (Fed. Cir. 2008); 
Bellsouth Telecomms. v. Southeast Telephone, 462 F.3d 650 (6th Cir. 
2006); Combs v. Comm'r of Social Security, 459 F.3d 640 (6th Cir. 2006) 
(en banc); Nat'l Mining Ass'n v. Dep't of Labor, 292 F.3d 849 (D.C. 
Cir. 2002); Pine Tree Medical Assocs. v. Sec'y of Health & Human 
Servs., 127 F.3d 118 (1st Cir. 1997); see also, e.g., Groff, 493 F.3d, 
at 1350-1351 & n.2; cf., e.g., Morrow v. United States, 647 F.2d 1099, 
1101 (Fed. Cir. 1981) (in which the court applied PSOB regulations 
(effective May 6, 1977) that post-dated the Oct. 8, 1976, alleged 
injury); Smykowski v. United States, 647 F.2d 1103, 1105 (Ct. Cl. 1981) 
(in which the court applied PSOB regulations (effective May 6, 1977) 
that post-dated the Oct. 5, 1976, alleged injury); Canfield v. United 
States, No. 339-79 (Fed. Cir., Dec. 29, 1982), 703 F.2d 583, 585 
(table) (in which the court applied PSOB regulations (effective May 6, 
1977) that post-dated the Dec. 20, 1976, alleged injury). Consistent 
with that principle governing regulations, therefore, as indicated 
above this final rule is intended (insofar as consistent with law) to 
be effective and applicable to all claims from and after the effective 
date hereof, whether pending (in any stage) as of that date or 
subsequently filed.) Another comment correctly indicated that some of 
the parenthetical statements contained within the proposed definition 
of Act in section 32.3 were misleading or inaccurate, because they 
lumped death and disability provisions together, where the law 
distinguishes between them. (The comment went on to point out a similar 
problem in the definition of Public employee in that section.) BJA 
agrees and has made corresponding changes.
     Miscellaneous. In keeping with one of the principal 
purposes of the proposed rule, which was to remove ``previously 
unnoticed flaws, gaps, or ambiguities,'' one commentator correctly 
pointed an ambiguity out in paragraph 32.4(a), which provides that 
``[t]he first three provisions of 1 U.S.C. 1 (rules of construction) 
shall apply.'' As stated by the commentator, ``[t]he intention of this 
provision seems to be that those rules of construction apply to the 
regulations, but by its terms I think the provision strictly indicates 
only that those rules apply to the PSOB Act.'' BJA agrees, and a 
conforming change has been made to clarify that the rules apply to the 
regulations.
    Further to the changes proposed in section 32.15, a commentator 
asked if the term ``ruling'' in section 32.15(a)(2)--which also is 
found in section 32.25(a)(2)(ii)--means ``only formal rulings, or does 
it also include ordinary findings?'' The latter meaning is intended and 
a clarifying change has been made to both sections.
    In connection with proposed section 32.5(d)(3), one commentator 
asked if it were ``sufficient merely to apply for the benefits in order 
to avoid the possibility of the adverse inference, or must the claimant 
also pursue the application as well?'' The application must be pursued, 
and a change has been made to the rule accordingly.
    One commentator suggested that the proposed 32.5(f)(3) be 
reformatted into separate subparagraphs (without changing the substance 
of the provision) so as to make it less confusing; and suggested a 
similar change (again, without changing the substance of the provision) 
for the definitions of Nonroutine strenuous physical activity and 
Nonroutine stressful physical activity in section 32.13. As the 
commentator put it: ``Some of the component elements of those 
definitions are `excluded,' while others are listed as conditions. It 
would be far less confusing if all the elements of these definitions 
were formatted similarly [in separate subparagraphs], either all as 
exclusions, or all as conditions.'' BJA agrees and has made conforming 
changes.
    A commentator suggested a few (non-substantive) syntactical changes 
to the proposed definition of Routine in section 32.13, with which BJA 
agrees.
    An inquiry was received in connection with proposed section 
32.45(a): Specifically, asking what would happen if, with respect to 
the same deceased officer, there were claimants in different cities, 
who could not ``agree'' upon a location for the hearing. BJA agrees 
that the provision does not specifically address such a situation (but 
should) and has made a change so as to do so.
    One commentator suggested that the Department should begin to 
implement an unenacted bill; this, of course, is beyond the authority 
of the Executive Branch. Other commentators variously found fault with 
the Department for not including ``inspectors and code officials'' 
appointed to assess damage and building safety, ``emergency management 
personnel,'' ``volunteer haz mat responders,'' and ``emergency

[[Page 76527]]

services personnel'' as ``public safety officers''; under the statute, 
the term ``public safety officer'' is limited to law enforcement 
officers, firefighters, certain chaplains, and public-employee members 
of a rescue squad or ambulance crew, and certain disaster-relief 
workers (which does appear to include at least some of the emergency 
response personnel described in some of the comments, at least under 
some circumstances), and the Executive Branch is not at liberty to 
expand the categories beyond the limits prescribed in the statute; this 
having been said, it should be noted that the definition of Suppression 
of fire in section 32.3 expressly includes ``on-site hazard 
evaluation.''
    Another commentator opined that the educational assistance benefits 
available under 42 U.S.C. 3796d to 3796d-7 ``should be the FIRST source 
of funding for college not the LAST source''; the Executive Branch is 
not at liberty to implement this suggestion, because, notwithstanding 
the commentator's expressed belief that ``it was Congress' intent to 
provide scholarship funds to surviving spouses and children of fallen 
public safety officers without being directed to other sources first,'' 
in fact, 42 U.S.C. 3796d-1(a)(3)(A) expressly commands that the amount 
of the PSOB educational assistance benefit ``shall be reduced by the 
sum of * * * the amount of educational assistance benefits from other 
Federal, State, or local governmental sources to [sic] which the 
eligible dependent would otherwise be entitled to receive.''
    One comment expressed concern that the proposed definition of 
Prison security activity might allow security personnel who were not 
``sworn officers'' to be covered; the current definition of 
Involvement, found at section 32.3, which runs counter to such a 
result, remains in force. Another comment, in connection with proposed 
section 32.6(a), expressed concerns as to the difficulty inherent in 
determining who may have had ``the closest relationship'' with an 
officer who is deceased at the time of the determination; BJA agrees 
that such a determination well may be difficult in particular cases, 
but a similar difficulty currently exists under section 32.16(a), which 
has similar language and has proven to be workable nonetheless. Yet 
another comment sought clarification as to what life insurance policy 
would be ``the most recent'' if the one on file with the agency were 
older than one not on file; the statute, 42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(B), 
decrees that the relevant policy is the ``most recently executed life 
insurance policy on file at the time of death with such officer's 
public safety agency, organization, or unit,'' thus making any policy 
not so on file irrelevant, regardless of when it may have been 
executed.
    One commentator opined that the benefits available for government 
employees surpass those available for similarly-situated individuals in 
the private sector and objected that more resources are being allocated 
to government employees; the commentator should refer his views to the 
Congress, as the regulations do but implement a series of statutory 
enactments that enshrine the policy choice that funds collected from 
taxpayers by the federal government should be used to pay the benefits 
authorized thereby: It is not the regulations, but the statutes, that 
establish the program. Finally, one commentator asked for clarification 
regarding the meaning of the regulatory term ``purported spouse'' (a 
term used in several places in the program regulations): A ``purported 
spouse'' is any person who is alleged (on any basis or pretext) to be a 
spouse within the meaning of the PSOB Act and its implementing 
regulations.

III. Regulatory Certifications

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Office of 
Justice Programs has reviewed this regulation and by approving it 
certifies that this regulation will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following 
reasons: This rule addresses federal agency procedures; furthermore, 
this rule makes amendments to clarify existing regulations and agency 
practice concerning death, disability, and education payments and 
assistance to eligible public safety officers and their survivors and 
does nothing to increase the financial burden on any small entities.

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been drafted and reviewed in accordance with 
Executive Order No. 12866, Sec.  1(b). The costs of implementing this 
rule are minimal. The only costs to OJP consist of appropriated funds, 
and the benefits of the rule far exceed the costs. As discussed in more 
detail in the ``Background'' section above, all of the substantive 
regulatory changes in this rule tend to relieve unnecessary burdens and 
restrictions placed on claimants by the current rule. The non-
substantive changes largely incorporate existing law and clarify the 
regulation so that it reflects current agency practice. The rest of the 
changes, in main, are grammatical and syntactical.
    The Office of Justice Programs has determined that this rule is a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Sec.  3(f) of the Executive 
Order, and accordingly this rule has been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget.

Executive Order 13132

    This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. The PSOB Act provides benefits to individuals and does 
not impose any special or unique requirements on States or localities. 
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order No. 13132, it is 
determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in Sec. Sec.  
3(a) & (b)(2) of Executive Order No. 12988. Pursuant to Sec.  
3(b)(1)(I) of the Executive Order, nothing in this or any previous rule 
(or in any administrative policy, directive, ruling, notice, guideline, 
guidance, or writing) directly relating to the Program that is the 
subject of this rule is intended to create any legal or procedural 
rights enforceable against the United States, except as the same may be 
contained within part 32 of title 28 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of 
$100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. The PSOB Act is a federal benefits 
program that provides benefits directly to qualifying individuals. 
Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule as defined by Sec.  804 of the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will 
not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; 
a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse

[[Page 76528]]

effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to 
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains no new information collection or recordkeeping 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.).

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 32

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Disability benefits, 
Education, Emergency medical services, Firefighters, Law enforcement 
officers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Rescue squad.

0
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 32 of 
chapter I of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as 
follows:

PART 32--PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' DEATH, DISABILITY, AND EDUCATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS CLAIMS

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 32 to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. ch. 46, subch. XII; 42 U.S.C. 3782(a), 
3787, 3788, 3791(a), 3793(a)(4) &(b), 3795a, 3796c-1, 3796c-2; sec. 
1601, title XI, Public Law 90-351, 82 Stat. 239; secs. 4 through 6, 
Public Law 94-430, 90 Stat. 1348; secs. 1 and 2, Public Law 107-37, 
115 Stat. 219.


0
2. Revise Sec.  32.0 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.0  Scope of part.

    This part implements the Act, which, as a general matter, 
authorizes the payment of three different legal gratuities:
    (a) Death benefits;
    (b) Disability benefits; and
    (c) Educational assistance benefits.

0
3. Amend Sec.  32.3 as follows:
    a. Revise the definitions of ``Act'', ``Authorized commuting'', 
``Determination'', ``Divorce'', ``Eligible payee'', ``Fire 
protection'', ``Fire, rescue, or police emergency'', ``Firefighter'', 
``Hazardous-materials emergency response'', ``Heart attack'', 
``Injury'', ``Injury date'', ``Intentional misconduct'', ``Law 
enforcement'', ``Line of duty activity or action'', ``Occupational 
disease'', ``Posthumous child'', ``Public employee'', ``Qualified 
beneficiary'', ``Substantial factor'', and ``Voluntary intoxication at 
the time of death or catastrophic injury''.
    b. Add the definitions of ``Biological'', ``Certification'', 
``Certification described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public 
Law 107-37'', ``Commonly accepted'', ``Consequences of an injury that 
permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work'', 
``Direct and proximate cause'', ``Emergency response activity'', 
``Employment in a civilian capacity'', ``Official training program of a 
public safety officer's public agency'', ``Prison security activity'', 
and ``Public safety activity'' in alphabetical order.


Sec.  32.3  Definitions.

    Act means the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act of 1976 
(generally codified at 42 U.S.C. 3796, et seq.; part L of title I of 
the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968) (including 
(uncodified) sections 4 through 6 thereof (payment in advance of 
appropriations, rule of construction and severability, and effective 
date and applicability)), as applicable (cf. Sec.  32.4(d)) according 
to its effective date and those of its various amendments (e.g., Sept. 
29, 1976 (deaths of State and local law enforcement officers and 
firefighters); Jan. 1, 1978 (educational assistance (officer died)); 
Oct. 1, 1984 (deaths of federal law enforcement officers and 
firefighters); Oct. 18, 1986 (deaths of rescue squad and ambulance crew 
members); Nov. 29, 1990 (disabilities); Oct. 3, 1996 (educational 
assistance (officer disabled)); Oct. 30, 2000 (disaster relief 
workers); Sept. 11, 2001 (chaplains and insurance beneficiaries); Dec. 
15, 2003 (certain heart attacks and strokes); and Apr. 5, 2006 
(designated beneficiaries)); and also includes Public Law 107-37 and 
section 611 of the USA PATRIOT Act (both of which relate to payment of 
benefits, described under subpart 1 of such part L, in connection, 
respectively, with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or with 
such terrorist attacks as may occur after Oct. 26, 2001), as well as 
the proviso under the Public Safety Officers Benefits heading in title 
II of division B of section 6 of Public Law 110-161.
* * * * *
    Authorized commuting means travel (not being described in the Act, 
at 42 U.S.C. 3796a(1), and not being a frolic or a detour) by a public 
safety officer--
    (1) In the course of actually responding (as authorized) to a fire-
, rescue-, or police emergency, or to a particular and extraordinary 
request (by the public agency he serves) for that specific officer to 
perform public safety activity (including emergency response activity 
the agency is authorized to perform), within his line of duty; or
    (2) Between home and work (at a situs (for the performance of line 
of duty activity or action) authorized or required by the public agency 
he serves), or between any such authorized or required situs and 
another--
    (i) Using a vehicle provided by such agency, pursuant to a 
requirement or authorization by such agency that he use the same for 
commuting; or
    (ii) Using a vehicle not provided by such agency, pursuant to a 
requirement by such agency that he use the same for work.
* * * * *
    Biological means genetic, but does not include circumstances where 
the genetic donation (under the laws of the jurisdiction where the 
offspring is conceived) does not (as of the time of such conception) 
legally confer parental rights and obligations.
* * * * *
    Certification means a formal assertion of a fact (or facts), in a 
writing that is--
    (1) Expressly intended to be relied upon by the PSOB determining 
official in connection with the determination of a claim specifically 
identified therein;
    (2) Expressly directed to the PSOB determining official;
    (3) Legally subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1001 (false 
statements) and 1621 (perjury), and 28 U.S.C. 1746 (declarations under 
penalty of perjury), and expressly declares the same to be so;
    (4) Executed by a natural person with knowledge of the fact (or 
facts) asserted and with legal authority to execute the writing (such 
as to make the assertion legally that of the certifying party), and 
expressly declares the same (as to knowledge and authority) to be so;
    (5) In such form as the Director may prescribe from time to time;
    (6) True, complete, and accurate (or, at a minimum, not known or 
believed by the PSOB determining official to contain any material 
falsehood, incompleteness, or inaccuracy); and
    (7) Unambiguous, precise, and unequivocal, in the judgment of the 
PSOB determining official, as to any fact asserted, any matter 
otherwise certified, acknowledged, indicated, or declared, and any 
provision of this definition.
    Certification described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public 
Law 107-37, means a certification, acknowledging all the matter 
specified in Sec.  32.5(f)(1) and (2)--
    (1) In which the fact (or facts) asserted is the matter specified 
in Sec.  32.5(f)(3);
    (2) That expressly indicates that all of the terms used in making 
the assertion described in paragraph (1) of this definition (or used in 
connection with such assertion) are within the meaning of the Act, at 
42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public Law 107-37, and of this part; and

[[Page 76529]]

    (3) That otherwise satisfies the provisions of the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public Law 107-37, and of this part.
* * * * *
    Commonly accepted means generally agreed upon within the medical 
profession.
    Consequences of an injury that permanently prevent an individual 
from performing any gainful work means an injury whose consequences 
permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work.
* * * * *
    Determination means the approval or denial of a claim (including an 
affirmance or reversal pursuant to a motion for reconsideration under 
Sec.  32.27), the determination described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 
3796(c), or any recommendation under Sec.  32.54(c)(3).
* * * * *
    Direct and proximate cause--Except as may be provided in the Act, 
at 42 U.S.C. 3796(k), something directly and proximately causes a 
wound, condition, or cardiac-event, if it is a substantial factor in 
bringing the wound, condition, or cardiac-event about.
* * * * *
    Divorce means a legally-valid divorce from the bond of wedlock 
(i.e., the bond of marriage), except that, otherwise, and 
notwithstanding any other provision of law, a spouse (or purported 
spouse) of an individual shall be considered to be divorced from that 
individual within the meaning of this definition if, subsequent to his 
marriage (or purported marriage) to that individual (and while that 
individual is living), the spouse (or purported spouse)--
    (1) Holds himself out as being divorced from, or not being married 
to, the individual;
    (2) Holds himself out as being married to another individual; or
    (3) Was a party to a ceremony purported by the parties thereto to 
be a marriage between the spouse (or purported spouse) and another 
individual.
* * * * *
    Eligible payee means--
    (1) An individual (other than the officer) described in the Act, at 
42 U.S.C. 3796(a), with respect to a claim under subpart B of this 
part; or
    (2) An individual described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(b), with 
respect to a claim under subpart C of this part.
* * * * *
    Emergency response activity means response to a fire-, rescue-, or 
police emergency.
* * * * *
    Employment in a civilian capacity refers to status as a civilian, 
rather than to the performance of civilian functions.
* * * * *
    Fire protection means--
    (1) Suppression of fire;
    (2) Hazardous-material response; or
    (3) Emergency medical services or rescue activity of the kind 
performed by firefighters.
    Fire-, rescue-, or police emergency includes disaster-relief 
emergency.
    Firefighter means an individual who--
    (1) Is trained in--
    (i) Suppression of fire; or
    (ii) Hazardous-material response; and
    (2) Has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in the 
suppression of fire, as--
    (i) An employee of the public agency he serves, which legally 
recognizes him to have such (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or has 
not denied) him to have such); or
    (ii) An individual otherwise included within the definition 
provided in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(4).
* * * * *
    Hazardous-material response means emergency response to the 
threatened or actual release of hazardous materials, where life, 
property, or the environment is at significant risk.
    Heart attack means--
    (1) A myocardial infarction; or
    (2) A cardiac-event (i.e., cessation, interruption, arrest, or 
other similar disturbance of heart function), not included in paragraph 
(1) of this definition, that is--
    (i) Acute; and
    (ii) Directly and proximately caused by a pathology (or 
pathological condition) of the heart or of the coronary arteries.
* * * * *
    Injury means a traumatic physical wound (or a traumatized physical 
condition of the body) directly and proximately caused by external 
force (such as bullets, explosives, sharp instruments, blunt objects, 
or physical blows), chemicals, electricity, climatic conditions, 
infectious disease, radiation, virii, or bacteria, but does not 
include--
    (1) Any occupational disease; or
    (2) Any condition of the body caused or occasioned by stress or 
strain.
    Injury date--Except with respect to claims under the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796(k) (where, for purposes of determining beneficiaries under 
the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a), it generally means the time of the heart 
attack or stroke referred to in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(k)(2)), 
injury date means the time of the line of duty injury that--
    (1) Directly and proximately results in the public safety officer's 
death, with respect to a claim under--
    (i) Subpart B of this part; or
    (ii) Subpart D of this part, by virtue of his death; or
    (2) Directly (or directly and proximately) results in the public 
safety officer's total and permanent disability, with respect to a 
claim under--
    (i) Subpart C of this part; or
    (ii) Subpart D of this part, by virtue of his disability.
* * * * *
    Intentional misconduct--A public safety officer's action or 
activity is intentional misconduct if--
    (1) As of the date it is performed,
    (i) Such action or activity--
    (A) Is in violation of, or otherwise prohibited by, any statute, 
rule, regulation, condition of employment or service, official mutual-
aid agreement, or other law; or
    (B) Is contrary to the ordinary, usual, or customary practice of 
similarly-situated officers within the public agency in which he 
serves; and
    (ii) He knows, or reasonably should know, that it is so in 
violation, prohibited, or contrary; and
    (2) Such action or activity--
    (i) Is intentional; and
    (ii) Is--
    (A) Performed without reasonable excuse; and
    (B) Objectively unjustified.
* * * * *
    Law enforcement means enforcement of the criminal laws, including--
    (1) Control or reduction of crime or of juvenile delinquency;
    (2) Prosecution or adjudication of individuals who are alleged or 
found to have violated such laws;
    (3) Prison security activity; and
    (4) Supervision of individuals on parole or probation for having 
violated such laws.
    Line of duty activity or action--Activity or an action is performed 
in the line of duty, in the case of a public safety officer who is--
    (1) A law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or a member of a 
rescue squad or ambulance crew--
    (i) Whose primary function (as applicable) is public safety 
activity, only if, not being described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 
3796a(1), and not being a frolic or detour, it is activity or an action 
that he is obligated or authorized by statute, rule, regulation, 
condition of employment or service, official mutual-aid agreement, or 
other law, to perform (including any social, ceremonial, or athletic 
functions (or any official training programs of his public agency)

[[Page 76530]]

to which he is assigned, or for which he is compensated), under the 
auspices of the public agency he serves, and such agency (or the 
relevant government) legally recognizes that activity or action to have 
been so obligated or authorized at the time performed (or, at a 
minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) it to have been such); or
    (ii) Whose primary function is not public safety activity, only if, 
not being described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796a(1), and not being a 
frolic or detour--
    (A) It is activity or an action that he is obligated or authorized 
by statute, rule, regulation, condition of employment or service, 
official mutual-aid agreement, or other law, to perform, under the 
auspices of the public agency he serves, and such agency (or the 
relevant government) legally recognizes that activity or action to have 
been so obligated or authorized at the time performed (or, at a 
minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) it to have been such); and
    (B) It is performed (as applicable) in the course of public safety 
activity (including emergency response activity the agency is 
authorized to perform), or taking part (as a trainer or trainee) in an 
official training program of his public agency for such activity, and 
such agency (or the relevant government) legally recognizes it to have 
been such at the time performed (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or 
has not denied) it to have been such);
    (2) A disaster relief worker, only if, not being described in the 
Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796a(1), and not being a frolic or detour, it is 
disaster relief activity, and the agency he serves (or the relevant 
government), being described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(B) or 
(C), legally recognizes it to have been such at the time performed (or, 
at a minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) it to have been such); 
or
    (3) A chaplain, only if, not being described in the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796a(1), and not being a frolic or detour--
    (i) It is activity or an action that he is obligated or authorized 
by statute, rule, regulation, condition of employment or service, 
official mutual-aid agreement, or other law, to perform, under the 
auspices of the public agency he serves, and such agency (or the 
relevant government) legally recognizes it to have been such at the 
time performed (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) it 
to have been such); and
    (ii) It is performed in the course of responding to a fire-, 
rescue-, or police emergency, and such agency (or the relevant 
government) legally recognizes it to have been such at the time 
performed (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) it to 
have been such).
* * * * *
    Occupational disease means a disease (including an ailment or 
condition of the body) that routinely constitutes a special hazard in, 
or is commonly regarded as a concomitant of, an individual's 
occupation.
* * * * *
    Official training program of a public safety officer's public 
agency means a program--
    (1) That is officially sponsored, -conducted, or -authorized by the 
public agency in which he serves; and
    (2) Whose purpose is to train public safety officers of his kind in 
(or to improve their skills in), specific activity or actions 
encompassed within their respective lines of duty.
* * * * *
    Posthumous child--An individual is a posthumous child of a public 
safety officer only if he is a biological child of the officer, and the 
officer is--
    (1) Alive at the time of his conception; and
    (2) Deceased at or before the time of his birth.
    Prison security activity means correctional or detention activity 
(in a prison or other detention or confinement facility) of individuals 
who are alleged or found to have violated the criminal laws.
* * * * *
    Public employee means--
    (1) An employee of a government described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 
3796b(8), (or of a department or agency thereof) and whose acts and 
omissions while so employed are legally those of such government, which 
legally recognizes them as such (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or 
has not denied) them to be such); or
    (2) An employee of an instrumentality of a government described in 
the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(8), who is eligible to receive disability 
benefits (or whose survivors are eligible to receive death benefits) 
from such government on the same basis as an employee of that 
government (within the meaning of paragraph (1) of this definition), or 
his survivors, would.
* * * * *
    Public safety activity means any of the following:
    (1) Law enforcement;
    (2) Fire protection;
    (3) Rescue activity; or
    (4) The provision of emergency medical services.
    Qualified beneficiary--An individual is a qualified beneficiary 
under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public Law 107-37, only if he is 
an eligible payee--
    (1) Who qualifies as a beneficiary pursuant to a final agency 
determination that--
    (i) The requirements of the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a) or (b) 
(excluding the limitations relating to appropriations), as applicable, 
have been met; and
    (ii) The provisions of this part, as applicable, relating to payees 
otherwise have been met; and
    (2) Whose actions were not a substantial contributing factor to the 
death of the public safety officer (with respect to a claim under 
subpart B of this part).
* * * * *
    Substantial factor--A factor substantially brings about a death, 
injury, disability, wound, condition, cardiac-event, heart attack, or 
stroke if--
    (1) The factor alone was sufficient to have caused the death, 
injury, disability, wound, condition, cardiac-event, heart attack, or 
stroke; or
    (2) No other factor (or combination of factors) contributed to the 
death, injury, disability, wound, condition, cardiac-event, heart 
attack, or stroke to so great a degree as it did.
* * * * *
    Voluntary intoxication at the time of death or catastrophic injury 
means the following, as shown by any commonly-accepted tissue, -fluid, 
or -breath test or by other competent evidence:
    (1) With respect to alcohol, (i) In any claim arising from a public 
safety officer's death in which the death was simultaneous (or 
practically simultaneous) with the injury, it means intoxication as 
defined in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(5), unless convincing evidence 
demonstrates that the officer did not introduce the alcohol into his 
body intentionally; and
    (ii) In any claim not described in paragraph (1)(i) of this 
definition, unless convincing evidence demonstrates that the officer 
did not introduce the alcohol into his body intentionally, it means 
intoxication--
    (A) As defined in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(5), mutatis mutandis 
(i.e., with ``post-mortem'' (each place it occurs) and ``death'' being 
substituted, respectively, by ``post-injury'' and ``injury''); and
    (B) As of the injury date; and
    (2) With respect to drugs or other substances, it means 
intoxication as defined in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(5), as evidenced 
by the presence (as of the injury date) in the body of the public 
safety officer--
    (i) Of any controlled substance included on Schedule I of the drug

[[Page 76531]]

control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 812(a)), or any controlled 
substance included on Schedule II, III, IV, or V of such laws (see 21 
U.S.C. 812(a)) and with respect to which there is no therapeutic range 
or maximum recommended dosage, unless convincing evidence demonstrates 
that such introduction was not a culpable act of the officer's under 
the criminal laws; or
    (ii) Of any controlled substance included on Schedule II, III, IV, 
or V of the drug control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 812(a)) 
and with respect to which there is a therapeutic range or maximum 
recommended dosage--
    (A) At levels above or in excess of such range or dosage, unless 
convincing evidence demonstrates that such introduction was not a 
culpable act of the officer's under the criminal laws; or
    (B) At levels at, below, or within such range or dosage, unless 
convincing evidence demonstrates that--
    (1) Such introduction was not a culpable act of the officer's under 
the criminal laws; or
    (2) The officer was not acting in an intoxicated manner immediately 
prior to the injury date.

0
4. Revise Sec.  32.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.4  Terms; construction, severability; effect.

    (a) In determining the meaning of any provision of this part, 
unless the context should indicate otherwise, the first three 
provisions of 1 U.S.C. 1 (rules of construction) shall apply.
    (b) If benefits are denied to any individual pursuant to the Act, 
at 42 U.S.C. 3796a(4), or otherwise because his actions were a 
substantial contributing factor to the death of the public safety 
officer, such individual shall be presumed irrebuttably, for all 
purposes, not to have survived the officer.
    (c) Any provision of this part held to be invalid or unenforceable 
by its terms, or as applied to any person or circumstance, shall be 
construed so as to give it the maximum effect permitted by law, unless 
such holding shall be one of utter invalidity or unenforceability, in 
which event such provision shall be deemed severable herefrom and shall 
not affect the remainder hereof or the application of such provision to 
other persons not similarly situated or to other, dissimilar 
circumstances.
    (d) Unless the same should expressly provide otherwise (e.g., by 
use of the word ``hereafter'' in an appropriations proviso), any 
amendment to the Act (or any statutory enactment otherwise directly 
referent or -applicable to the program that is the subject of this 
part), shall apply only with respect to injuries (or, in connection 
with claims under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(k), shall apply only with 
respect to heart attacks or strokes referred to in the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796(k)(2)) occurring on or after the date it takes effect.

0
5. Revise Sec.  32.5 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.5  Evidence.

    (a) Except as otherwise may be expressly provided in the Act or 
this part, a claimant has the burden of persuasion as to all material 
issues of fact, and by the standard of proof of ``more likely than 
not.''
    (b) Except as otherwise may be expressly provided in this part, the 
PSOB determining official may, at his discretion, consider (but shall 
not be bound by) the factual findings of a public agency.
    (c) Rules 301 (presumptions), 401 (relevant evidence), 402 
(admissibility), 602 to 604 (witnesses), 701 to 704 (testimony), 901 to 
903 (authentication), and 1001 to 1007 (contents of writings, records, 
and photographs) of the Federal Rules of Evidence shall apply, mutatis 
mutandis, to all filings, hearings, and other proceedings or matters. 
No extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to 
admissibility shall be required with respect to any document purporting 
to bear the signature of an expert engaged by the BJA.
    (d) In determining a claim, the PSOB determining official may, at 
his discretion, draw an adverse inference if, without reasonable 
justification or excuse--
    (1) A claimant fails or refuses to file with the PSOB Office--
    (i) Such material- or relevant evidence or -information within his 
possession, control, or ken as may reasonably be requested from time to 
time by such official; or
    (ii) Such authorizations or waivers as may reasonably be requested 
from time to time by such official to enable him (or to assist in 
enabling him) to obtain access to material- or relevant evidence or -
information of a medical, personnel, financial, or other confidential 
nature;
    (2) A claimant under subpart C of this part fails or refuses to 
appear in person--
    (i) At his hearing under subpart E of this part (if there be such a 
hearing); or
    (ii) Before such official (or otherwise permit such official 
personally to observe his condition), at a time and location reasonably 
convenient to both, as may reasonably be requested by such official; or
    (3) A claimant under subpart B or C of this part fails or refuses 
to apply for (or to pursue to completion), in timely fashion, the 
benefits, if any, described in Sec.  32.15(a)(1)(i) or Sec.  
32.25(a)(1)(i), respectively.
    (e) In determining a claim, the PSOB determining official may, at 
his discretion, draw an inference of voluntary intoxication at the time 
of death or catastrophic injury if, without reasonable justification or 
excuse, appropriate toxicologic analysis (including autopsy, in the 
event of death) is not performed, and/or the results thereof are not 
filed with the PSOB Office, where there is credible evidence suggesting 
that intoxication may have been a factor in the death or injury, or 
that the public safety officer--
    (1) As of or near the injury date, was--
    (i) A consumer of alcohol--
    (A) In amounts likely to produce a blood-alcohol level of .10 per 
centum or greater in individuals similar to the officer in weight and 
sex; or
    (B) In any amount, after ever having been treated at an inpatient 
facility for alcoholism;
    (ii) A consumer of controlled substances included on Schedule I of 
the drug control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 812(a)); or
    (iii) An abuser of controlled substances included on Schedule II, 
III, IV, or V of the drug control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 
812(a)); or
    (2) Immediately prior to the injury date, was under the influence 
of alcohol or drugs or other substances or otherwise acting in an 
intoxicated manner.
    (f) In determining a claim under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or 
Public Law 107-37, the certification described therein shall constitute 
prima facie evidence--
    (1) Of the public agency's acknowledgment that the public safety 
officer, as of the injury date, was--
    (i) A public safety officer of the kind described in the 
certification;
    (ii) Employed by the agency (i.e., performing official functions 
for, or on behalf of, the agency); and
    (iii) One of the following:
    (A) With respect to a law enforcement officer, an officer of the 
agency;
    (B) With respect to a firefighter,
    (1) An officially recognized or designated member of the agency (if 
it is a legally organized volunteer fire department); or
    (2) An employee of the agency;
    (C) With respect to a chaplain,
    (1) An officially recognized or designated member of the agency (if 
it is a legally organized police or volunteer fire department); or

[[Page 76532]]

    (2) An officially recognized or designated public employee of the 
agency (if it is a legally organized police or fire department);
    (D) With respect to a member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew, 
an officially recognized or designated public employee member of one of 
the agency's rescue squads or ambulance crews; or
    (E) With respect to a disaster relief worker, an employee of the 
agency (if it is described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(B) or 
(C));
    (2) Of the public agency's acknowledgment that there are no 
eligible payees other than those identified in the certification; and
    (3) That the public safety officer--
    (i) Sustained a line of duty injury in connection with public 
safety activity (or, otherwise, with efforts described in the Act, at 
42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public Law 107-37) related to a terrorist attack 
(under the former statute) or to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 
2001 (under the latter statute); and
    (ii) As a direct and proximate result of such injury, was (as 
applicable)--
    (A) Killed (with respect to a claim under subpart B of this part); 
or
    (B) Totally and permanently disabled (with respect to a claim under 
subpart C of this part).
    (g) In determining a claim, the PSOB determining official shall 
have, in addition to the hearing-examiner powers specified at 42 U.S.C. 
3787 (hearings, subpoenas, oaths, witnesses, evidence), and to the 
authorities specified at 42 U.S.C. 3788(b)-(d) (experts, consultants, 
government resources) and in the Act and this part, the authority 
otherwise and in any reasonable manner to conduct his own inquiries, as 
appropriate.
    (h) Acceptance of payment (by a payee (or on his behalf)) shall 
constitute prima facie evidence that the payee (or the pay agent)--
    (1) Endorses as his own (to the best of his knowledge and belief) 
the statements and representations made, and the evidence and 
information provided, pursuant to the claim; and
    (2) Is aware (in connection with the claim) of no--
    (i) Fraud;
    (ii) Concealment or withholding of evidence or information;
    (iii) False, incomplete, or inaccurate statements or 
representations;
    (iv) Mistake, wrongdoing, or deception; or
    (v) Violation of 18 U.S.C. 287 (false, fictitious, or fraudulent 
claims), 1001 (false statements), or 1621 (perjury), or 42 U.S.C. 3795a 
(falsification or concealment of facts).
    (i) A public safety officer's response to an emergency call from 
his public agency for him to perform public safety activity (including 
emergency response activity the agency is authorized to perform) shall 
constitute prima facie evidence of such response's non-routine 
character.

0
6. Revise Sec.  32.6 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.6  Payment and repayment.

    (a) No payment shall be made to (or on behalf of) more than one 
individual, on the basis of being a particular public safety officer's 
spouse. If more than one should qualify, payment shall be made to the 
one with whom the officer considered himself, as of the injury date, to 
have the closest relationship, except that the individual (if any) who 
was a member of the officer's household (as of such date) shall be 
presumed rebuttably to be such one, unless legal proceedings (by the 
officer against such member, or vice versa) shall have been pending 
then in any court.
    (b) No payment shall be made, save--
    (1) To (or on behalf of) a living beneficiary; and
    (2) Pursuant to--
    (i) A written claim filed by (or on behalf of) such beneficiary; 
and
    (ii) Except as provided in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(c), approval 
of such claim.
    (c) Any amounts that would be paid but for the provisions of 
paragraph (b) of this section shall be retained by the United States 
and not paid.
    (d) With respect to the amount paid to a payee (or on his behalf) 
pursuant to a claim, the payee shall repay the following, unless, for 
good cause shown, the Director grants a full or partial waiver pursuant 
to the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(m):
    (1) The entire amount, if approval of the claim was based, in whole 
or in material part, on the payee's (or any other person's or entity's) 
fraud, concealment or withholding of evidence or information, false, 
incomplete, or inaccurate statements or representations, mistake, 
wrongdoing, or deception; or
    (2) The entire amount subject to divestment, if the payee's 
entitlement to such payment is divested, in whole or in part, such as 
by the subsequent discovery of individuals entitled to make equal or 
superior claims.
    (e) At the discretion of the Director, repayment of amounts owing 
or collectable under the Act or this part may, as applicable, be 
executed through setoffs against future payments on financial claims 
under subpart D of this part.

0
7. Revise Sec.  32.12 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.12  Time for filing claim.

    (a) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director extends the time for 
filing, no claim shall be considered if it is filed with the PSOB 
Office after the later of--
    (1) Three years after the public safety officer's death; or
    (2) One year after--
    (i) A final determination of entitlement to receive, or of denial 
of, the benefits, if any, described in Sec.  32.15(a)(1)(i); or
    (ii) The receipt of the certification described in Sec.  
32.15(a)(1)(ii).
    (b) A claimant may file with his claim such supporting documentary, 
electronic, video, or other nonphysical evidence and legal arguments as 
he may wish to provide.

0
8. Amend Sec.  32.13 as follows:
    a. Remove the definitions of ``Circumstances other than engagement 
or participation'', ``Commonly accepted'', and ``Engagement in a 
situation''.
    b. Revise the definitions of ``Beneficiary of a life insurance 
policy of a public safety officer'', ``Beneficiary under the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(A)'', ``Competent medical evidence to the contrary'', 
``Most recently executed life insurance policy of a public safety 
officer'', ``Nonroutine strenuous physical activity'', ``Nonroutine 
stressful physical activity'', ``Participation in a training 
exercise'', ``Public safety agency, organization, or unit'', and 
``Risky behavior''.
    c. Add the definitions of ``Designation on file'', ``Extrinsic 
circumstances'', ``Engagement in a situation involving law enforcement, 
fire suppression, rescue, hazardous material response, emergency 
medical services, prison security, disaster relief, or other emergency 
response activity'', ``Life insurance policy on file'', and ``Routine'' 
in alphabetical order.


Sec.  32.13  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Beneficiary of a life insurance policy of a public safety officer--
An individual (living or deceased on the date of death of the public 
safety officer) is designated as beneficiary of a life insurance policy 
of such officer as of such date, only if the designation is, as of such 
date, legal and valid (as a designation of beneficiary of a life 
insurance policy) and unrevoked (by such officer or by operation of 
law) or otherwise unterminated, except that--
    (1) Any designation of an individual (including any designation of 
the biological or adoptive offspring of such individual) made in 
contemplation of such individual's marriage (or purported marriage) to 
such officer shall

[[Page 76533]]

be considered to be revoked by such officer as of such date of death if 
the marriage (or purported marriage) did not take place, unless 
preponderant evidence demonstrates that--
    (i) It did not take place for reasons other than personal 
differences between the officer and the individual; or
    (ii) No such revocation was intended by the officer; and
    (2) Any designation of a spouse (or purported spouse) made in 
contemplation of or during such spouse's (or purported spouse's) 
marriage (or purported marriage) to such officer (including any 
designation of the biological or adoptive offspring of such spouse (or 
purported spouse)) shall be considered to be revoked by such officer as 
of such date of death if the spouse (or purported spouse) is divorced 
from such officer after the date of designation and before such date of 
death, unless preponderant evidence demonstrates that no such 
revocation was intended by the officer.
    Beneficiary under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(A)--An 
individual (living or deceased on the date of death of the public 
safety officer) is designated, by such officer (and as of such date), 
as beneficiary under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(A), only if the 
designation is, as of such date, legal and valid and unrevoked (by such 
officer or by operation of law) or otherwise unterminated, except 
that--
    (1) Any designation of an individual (including any designation of 
the biological or adoptive offspring of such individual) made in 
contemplation of such individual's marriage (or purported marriage) to 
such officer shall be considered to be revoked by such officer as of 
such date of death if the marriage (or purported marriage) did not take 
place, unless preponderant evidence demonstrates that--
    (i) It did not take place for reasons other than personal 
differences between the officer and the individual; or
    (ii) No such revocation was intended by the officer; and
    (2) Any designation of a spouse (or purported spouse) made in 
contemplation of or during such spouse's (or purported spouse's) 
marriage (or purported marriage) to such officer (including any 
designation of the biological or adoptive offspring of such spouse (or 
purported spouse)) shall be considered to be revoked by such officer as 
of such date of death if the spouse (or purported spouse) is divorced 
from such officer subsequent to the date of designation and before such 
date of death, unless preponderant evidence demonstrates that no such 
revocation was intended by the officer.
* * * * *
    Competent medical evidence to the contrary--The presumption raised 
by the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(k), is overcome by competent medical 
evidence to the contrary, when evidence indicates to a degree of 
medical probability that extrinsic circumstances, considered in 
combination (as one circumstance) or alone, were a substantial factor 
in bringing the heart attack or stroke about.
    Designation on file--A designation of beneficiary under the Act, at 
42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(A), is on file with a public safety agency, -
organization, or -unit, only if it is deposited with the same by the 
public safety officer making the designation, for it to maintain with 
its personnel or similar records pertaining to him.
* * * * *
    Engagement in a situation involving law enforcement, fire 
suppression, rescue, hazardous material response, emergency medical 
services, prison security, disaster relief, or other emergency response 
activity--A public safety officer is so engaged only when, within his 
line of duty--
    (1) He is in the course of actually--
    (i) Engaging in law enforcement;
    (ii) Suppressing fire;
    (iii) Responding to a hazardous-material emergency;
    (iv) Performing rescue activity;
    (v) Providing emergency medical services;
    (vi) Performing disaster relief activity; or
    (vii) Otherwise engaging in emergency response activity; and
    (2) The public agency he serves (or the relevant government) 
legally recognizes him to have been in such course at the time of such 
engagement (or, at a minimum, does not deny (or has not denied) him so 
to have been).
* * * * *
    Extrinsic circumstances means--
    (1) An event or events; or
    (2) An intentional risky behavior or intentional risky behaviors.
    Life insurance policy on file--A life insurance policy is on file 
with a public safety agency, -organization, or -unit, only if--
    (1) It is issued through (or on behalf of) the same; or
    (2) The original (or a copy) of one of the following is deposited 
with the same by the public safety officer whose life is insured under 
the policy, for it to maintain with its personnel or similar records 
pertaining to him:
    (i) The policy (itself);
    (ii) The declarations page or -statement from the policy's issuer;
    (iii) A certificate of insurance (for group policies);
    (iv) Any instrument whose execution constitutes the execution of a 
life insurance policy; or
    (v) The substantial equivalent of any of the foregoing.
* * * * *
    Most recently executed life insurance policy of a public safety 
officer means the most recently executed policy insuring the life of a 
public safety officer that, being legal and valid (as a life insurance 
policy) upon its execution, as of the date of death of such officer--
    (1) Designates a beneficiary; and
    (2) Remains legally unrevoked (by such officer or by operation of 
law) or otherwise unterminated.
    Nonroutine strenuous physical activity means line of duty activity 
that--
    (1) Is not excluded by the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(l);
    (2) Is not performed as a matter of routine; and
    (3) Entails an unusually-high level of physical exertion.
* * * * *
    Nonroutine stressful physical activity means line of duty activity 
that--
    (1) Is not excluded by the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(l);
    (2) Is not performed as a matter of routine;
    (3) Entails non-negligible physical exertion; and
    (4) Occurs--
    (i) With respect to a situation in which a public safety officer is 
engaged, under circumstances that objectively and reasonably--
    (A) Pose (or appear to pose) significant dangers, threats, or 
hazards (or reasonably-foreseeable risks thereof), not faced by 
similarly-situated members of the public in the ordinary course; and
    (B) Provoke, cause, or occasion an unusually-high level of alarm, 
fear, or anxiety; or
    (ii) With respect to a training exercise in which a public safety 
officer participates, under circumstances that objectively and 
reasonably--
    (A) Simulate in realistic fashion situations that pose significant 
dangers, threats, or hazards; and
    (B) Provoke, cause, or occasion an unusually-high level of alarm, 
fear, or anxiety.
* * * * *
    Participation in a training exercise--A public safety officer 
participates (as a trainer or trainee) in a training exercise only when 
actually taking formal part in a structured activity that itself is--

[[Page 76534]]

    (1) Within an official training (or -fitness) program of his public 
agency; and
    (2) Mandatory, rated (i.e., officially tested, -graded, -judged, -
timed, etc.), or directly supervised, -proctored, or -monitored.
    Public safety agency, -organization, or -unit means a department or 
agency (or component thereof)--
    (1) In which a public safety officer serves in an official 
capacity, with or without compensation, as such an officer (of any kind 
but disaster relief worker); or
    (2) Of which a public safety officer is an employee, performing 
official duties as described in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(B) or 
(C), as a disaster relief worker.
    Risky behavior means--
    (1) Failure (without reasonable justification or excuse) to 
undertake treatment--
    (i) Of any commonly-accepted cardiovascular-disease risk factor 
associated with clinical values, where such risk factor is--
    (A) Known (or should be known) to be present; and
    (B) Present to a degree that substantially exceeds the minimum 
value commonly accepted as indicating high risk;
    (ii) Of any disease or condition commonly accepted to be associated 
with substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease, where such 
associated disease or condition is known (or should be known) to be 
present; or
    (iii) Where a biological parent, -sibling, or -first-generation 
offspring, is known to have (or have a history of) cardiovascular 
disease;
    (2) Smoking an average of more than one-half of a pack of 
cigarettes (or its equivalent) per day;
    (3) Excessive consumption of alcohol;
    (4) Consumption of controlled substances included on Schedule I of 
the drug control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 812(a)), where 
such consumption is commonly accepted to be associated with increased 
risk of cardiovascular disease;
    (5) Abuse of controlled substances included on Schedule II, III, 
IV, or V of the drug control and enforcement laws (see 21 U.S.C. 
812(a)), where such abuse is commonly accepted to be associated with 
increased risk of cardiovascular disease; or
    (6) Any activity or action, specified in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 
3796a(1), (2), or (3), that is commonly accepted to be associated with 
substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
    Routine--Neither of the following shall be dispositive in 
determining whether an activity or action shall be understood to have 
been performed as a matter of routine:
    (1) Being generally described by the public agency as routine or 
ordinary; or
    (2) The frequency with which it may be performed.
* * * * *

0
9. Revise Sec.  32.14 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.14  PSOB Office determination.

    (a) Upon its approving or denying a claim, the PSOB Office shall 
serve notice of the same upon the claimant (and upon any other claimant 
who may have filed a claim with respect to the same public safety 
officer). In the event of a denial, such notice shall--
    (1) Specify the factual findings and legal conclusions that support 
it; and
    (2) Provide information as to requesting a Hearing Officer 
determination.
    (b) Upon a claimant's failure (without reasonable justification or 
excuse) to pursue in timely fashion the determination, by the PSOB 
Office, of his filed claim, the Director may, at his discretion, deem 
the same to be abandoned. Not less than thirty-three days prior 
thereto, the PSOB Office shall serve the claimant with notice of the 
Director's intention to exercise such discretion.
    (c) In connection with its determination (pursuant to a filed 
claim) of the existence of competent medical evidence to the contrary, 
the PSOB Office shall serve the claimant with notice (indicating that 
he may file such documentary, electronic, video, or other non-physical 
evidence (such as medical-history records, as appropriate) and legal 
arguments in support of his claim as he may wish to provide), where 
there is evidence before it that affirmatively suggests that--
    (1) The public safety officer actually knew or should have known 
that he had cardio-vascular disease risk factors and appears to have 
worsened or aggravated the same through his own intentional and risky 
behavior (as opposed to where the evidence affirmatively suggests 
merely that cardio-vascular disease risk factors were present); or
    (2) It is more likely than not that a public safety officer's heart 
attack or stroke was imminent.

0
10. Revise Sec.  32.15 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.15  Prerequisite certification.

    (a) Except as provided in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-1 or Public 
Law 107-37, and unless, for good cause shown, the Director grants a 
waiver, no claim shall be approved unless the following (which shall be 
necessary, but not sufficient, for such approval) are filed with the 
PSOB Office:
    (1) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section, a 
certification from the public agency in which the public safety officer 
served (as of the injury date) that he died as a direct and proximate 
result of a line of duty injury, and either--
    (i) That his survivors (listed by name, address, relationship to 
him, and amount received) have received (or legally are entitled to 
receive) the maximum death benefits legally payable by the agency with 
respect to deaths of public safety officers of his kind, rank, and 
tenure; or
    (ii) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, that the agency is 
not legally authorized to pay--
    (A) Any benefits described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, 
to any person; or
    (B) Any benefits described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, 
to public safety officers of the kind, rank, and tenure described in 
such paragraph;
    (2) A copy of any findings or rulings made by any public agency 
that relate to the officer's death; and
    (3) A certification from the claimant listing every individual 
known to him who is or might be the officer's child, spouse, or parent.
    (b) The provisions of paragraphs (a)(1) and (d) of this section 
shall also apply with respect to every public agency that legally is 
authorized to pay death benefits with respect to the agency described 
in that paragraph.
    (c) No certification described in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
section shall be deemed complete for purposes of this section unless 
it--
    (1) Lists every public agency (other than BJA) that legally is 
authorized to pay death benefits with respect to the certifying agency; 
or
    (2) States that no public agency (other than BJA) legally is 
authorized to pay death benefits with respect to the certifying agency.
    (d) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, if the 
Director finds that the conditions specified in the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 
3796(k), are satisfied with respect to a particular public safety 
officer's death, and that no circumstance specified in the Act, at 42 
U.S.C. 3796a(1), (2), or (3), applies with respect thereto--
    (1) The certification as to death, described in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, shall not be required; and
    (2) The certification as to benefits, described in paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section, shall be deemed complete for purposes of 
this section if it--
    (i) Describes the public agency's understanding of the 
circumstances

[[Page 76535]]

(including such causes of which it may be aware) of the officer's 
death; and
    (ii) States that, in connection with deaths occurring under the 
circumstances described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, the 
public agency is not legally authorized to pay any benefits described 
in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.

0
11. Revise Sec.  32.16 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.16  Payment.

    (a) No payment shall be made to (or on behalf of) more than one 
individual, on the basis of being a public safety officer's parent as 
his mother, or on that basis as his father. If more than one parent 
qualifies as the officer's mother, or as his father, payment shall be 
made to the one with whom the officer considered himself, as of the 
injury date, to have the closest relationship, except that any 
biological or legally adoptive parent whose parental rights have not 
been terminated as of the injury date shall be presumed rebuttably to 
be such one.
    (b) Any amount payable with respect to a minor or incompetent shall 
be paid to his legal guardian, to be expended solely for the benefit of 
such minor or incompetent.
    (c) If more than one individual should qualify for payment--
    (1) Under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(i), payment shall be 
made to each of them in equal shares, except that, if the designation 
itself should manifest a different distribution, payment shall be made 
to each of them in shares in accordance with such distribution; or
    (2) Under the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796(a)(4)(ii), payment shall be 
made to each of them in equal shares.

0
12. Revise Sec.  32.22 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.22  Time for filing claim.

    (a) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director extends the time for 
filing, no claim shall be considered if it is filed with the PSOB 
Office after the later of--
    (1) Three years after the injury date; or
    (2) One year after--
    (i) A final determination of entitlement to receive, or of denial 
of, the benefits, if any, described in Sec.  32.25(a)(1)(i); or
    (ii) The receipt of the certification described in Sec.  
32.25(a)(1)(ii).
    (b) A claimant may file with his claim such supporting documentary, 
electronic, video, or other nonphysical evidence and legal arguments as 
he may wish to provide.

0
13. Revise Sec.  32.29 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.29  Request for Hearing Officer determination.

    (a) In order to exhaust his administrative remedies, a claimant 
seeking relief from the denial of his claim shall request a Hearing 
Officer determination under subpart E of this part--
    (1) Of--
    (i) His entire claim, if he has not moved for reconsideration of a 
negative disability finding under Sec.  32.27; or
    (ii) Consistent with Sec.  32.42(c), the grounds (if any) of the 
denial that are not the subject of such motion, if he has moved for 
reconsideration of a negative disability finding under Sec.  32.27; and
    (2) Of a negative disability finding that is affirmed pursuant to 
his motion for reconsideration under Sec.  32.27.
    (b) Consistent with Sec.  32.8, the following shall constitute the 
final agency determination:
    (1) Any denial not described in Sec.  32.27 that is not the subject 
of a request for a Hearing Officer determination under paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section;
    (2) Any denial described in Sec.  32.27 that is not the subject of 
a request for a Hearing Officer determination under paragraph 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section, unless the negative disability finding is 
the subject of a motion for reconsideration; and
    (3) Any affirmance that is not the subject of a request for a 
Hearing Officer determination under paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

0
14. Revise Sec.  32.32 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.32  Time for filing claim.

    (a) Subject to the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796d-1(c), and to paragraph 
(b) of this section, a claim may be filed with the PSOB Office at any 
time after the injury date.
    (b) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director grants a waiver, no 
financial claim may be filed with the PSOB Office, with respect to a 
grading period that commences more than six months after the date of 
filing.
    (c) A claimant may file with his claim such supporting documentary, 
electronic, video, or other nonphysical evidence and legal arguments as 
he may wish to provide.

0
15. Revise Sec.  32.41 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.41  Scope of subpart.

    Consistent with Sec.  32.1, this subpart contains provisions 
applicable to requests for Hearing Officer determination of claims 
denied under subpart B, C (including affirmances of negative disability 
findings described in Sec.  32.27), or D of this part, and of claims 
remanded (or matters referred) under Sec.  32.54(c).

0
16. Revise Sec.  32.42 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.42  Time for filing request for determination.

    (a) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, and unless, for good 
cause shown, the Director extends the time for filing, no claim shall 
be determined if the request therefor is filed with the PSOB Office 
later than thirty-three days after the service of notice of--
    (1) The denial (under subpart B, C (except as may be provided in 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section), or D of this part) of a claim; or
    (2) The affirmance (under subpart C of this part) of a negative 
disability finding described in Sec.  32.27.
    (b) A claimant may file with his request for a Hearing Officer 
determination such supporting documentary, electronic, video, or other 
non-physical evidence and legal arguments as he may wish to provide.
    (c) The timely filing of a motion for reconsideration under Sec.  
32.28(a) shall be deemed to constitute a timely filing, under paragraph 
(a) of this section, of a request for determination with respect to any 
grounds described in Sec.  32.29(a)(1)(ii) that may be applicable.

0
17. Revise Sec.  32.43 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.43  Appointment and assignment of Hearing Officers.

    (a) Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3787 (employment and authority of hearing 
officers), Hearing Officers may be appointed from time to time by the 
Director, to remain on the roster of such Officers at his pleasure.
    (b) Upon the filing of a request for a Hearing Officer 
determination (or upon remand or referral), the PSOB Office shall 
assign the claim to a Hearing Officer on the roster; the PSOB Office 
may assign a particular claim to a specific Hearing Officer if it 
judges, in its discretion, that his experience or expertise suit him 
especially for it.
    (c) Upon its making the assignment described in paragraph (b) of 
this section, the PSOB Office shall serve notice of the same upon the 
claimant, with an indication that any evidence or legal argument he 
wishes to provide is to be filed simultaneously with the PSOB Office 
and the Hearing Officer.
    (d) With respect to an assignment described in paragraph (b) of 
this section, the Hearing Officer's consideration shall be--
    (1) De novo (unless the Director should expressly prescribe 
otherwise, with respect to a particular remand or referral), rather 
than in review of the findings, determinations, affirmances,

[[Page 76536]]

reversals, assignments, authorizations, decisions, judgments, rulings, 
or other actions of the PSOB Office; and
    (2) Consistent with subpart B, C, or D of this part, as applicable.
    (e) OJP's General Counsel shall provide advice to the Hearing 
Officer as to all questions of law relating to any matter assigned 
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section.

0
18. Revise Sec.  32.45 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.45  Hearings.

    (a) Except with respect to a remand or referral, at the election of 
a claimant under subpart B or C of this part, the Hearing Officer shall 
hold a hearing, at a location agreeable to the claimant and the Officer 
(or, otherwise, at a location ruled by the Hearing Officer to be 
suitable), for the sole purposes of obtaining, consistent with Sec.  
32.5(c),
    (1) Evidence from the claimant and his fact or expert witnesses; 
and
    (2) Such other evidence as the Hearing Officer, at his discretion, 
may rule to be necessary or useful.
    (b) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director extends the time for 
filing, no election under paragraph (a) of this section shall be 
honored if it is filed with the PSOB Office later than ninety days 
after service of the notice described in Sec.  32.43(c).
    (c) Not less than seven days prior to any hearing, the claimant 
shall file simultaneously with the PSOB Office and the Hearing Officer 
a list of all expected fact or expert witnesses and a brief summary of 
the evidence each witness is expected to provide.
    (d) At any hearing, the Hearing Officer--
    (1) May exclude any evidence whose probative value is substantially 
outweighed by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless 
presentation of cumulative evidence; and
    (2) Shall exclude witnesses (other than the claimant, or any person 
whose presence is shown by the claimant to be essential to the 
presentation of his claim), so that they cannot hear the testimony of 
other witnesses.
    (e) Each hearing shall be recorded, and the original of the 
complete record or transcript thereof shall be made a part of the claim 
file.
    (f) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director grants a waiver, a 
claimant's failure to appear at a hearing (in person or through a 
representative) shall constitute a withdrawal of his election under 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (g) Upon a claimant's failure to pursue in timely fashion his filed 
election under paragraph (a) of this section, the Director may, at his 
discretion, deem the same to be abandoned. Not less than thirty-three 
days prior thereto, the PSOB Office shall serve the claimant with 
notice of the Director's intention to exercise such discretion.

0
19. Revise Sec.  32.52 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.52  Time for filing Director appeal.

    (a) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director extends the time for 
filing, no Director appeal shall be considered if it is filed with the 
PSOB Office later than thirty-three days after the service of notice of 
the denial (under subpart E of this part) of a claim.
    (b) A claimant may file with his Director appeal such supporting 
documentary, electronic, video, or other nonphysical evidence and legal 
arguments as he may wish to provide.

0
20. Revise Sec.  32.54 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.54  Director determination.

    (a) Upon the Director's approving or denying a claim, the PSOB 
Office shall serve notice of the same simultaneously upon the claimant 
(and upon any other claimant who may have filed a claim with respect to 
the same public safety officer), and upon any Hearing Officer who made 
a determination with respect to the claim. In the event of a denial, 
such notice shall--
    (1) Specify the factual findings and legal conclusions that support 
it; and
    (2) Provide information as to judicial appeals (for the claimant or 
claimants).
    (b) Upon a claimant's failure (without reasonable justification or 
excuse) to pursue in timely fashion the determination of his claim 
pursuant to his filed Director appeal, the Director may, at his 
discretion, deem the same to be abandoned, as though never filed. Not 
less than thirty-three days prior thereto, the PSOB Office shall serve 
the claimant with notice of the Director's intention to exercise such 
discretion.
    (c) With respect to any claim before him, the Director, as 
appropriate, may--
    (1) Remand the same to the PSOB Office, or to a Hearing Officer;
    (2) Vacate any related determination under this part; or
    (3) Refer any related matters to a Hearing Officer (as a special 
master), to recommend factual findings and dispositions in connection 
therewith.

0
21. Revise Sec.  32.55 to read as follows:


Sec.  32.55  Judicial appeal.

    (a) Consistent with Sec.  32.8, any approval or denial described in 
Sec.  32.54(a) shall constitute the final agency determination.
    (b) A claimant seeking relief from the denial of his claim may 
appeal judicially pursuant to the Act, at 42 U.S.C. 3796c-2.

    Dated: December 10, 2008.
Jeffrey L. Sedgwick,
Assistant Attorney General.
 [FR Doc. E8-29703 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-18-P