[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 32 (Thursday, February 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 7694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3522]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration on Aging


Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and 
Instructions for Older Americans Act Title VII

AGENCY: Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity 
for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by 
the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), 
Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to 
allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice 
solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating 
to State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and Instructions for 
Older Americans Act Title VII.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by April 20, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to: [email protected].
    Submit written comments on the collection of information to: 
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201. Attention: Sue Wheaton.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Wheaton, by telephone: (202) 357-
3587 or by e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal 
agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. 
``Collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 
1320.3(c) and includes agency request or requirements that members of 
the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a 
third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) 
requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, 
before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with 
this requirement, AoA is publishing notice of the proposed collection 
of information set forth in this document. With respect to the 
following collection of information, AoA invites comments on: (1) 
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of AoA's functions, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of AoA's 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information 
technology.
    Under section 712(c), and section 712(h)(1)-(3) of the Older 
Americans Act, as amended, states are required to provide information 
on ombudsmen activities to AoA, which AoA is then required to present 
to Congress. The reporting system, the National Ombudsman Reporting 
System (NORS), was developed in response to these directives and other 
needs pertaining to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget for use for the first time in FY 
1995-96; it was extended a second time with slight modifications for 
use in FY 1997-2001 and extended for the third time with no change for 
use from FY 2002-2006. It was extended, with modifications, a fourth 
time for use from FY 2007-2008. This current (fifth) request is to 
extend, with no modifications, use of the existing State Annual Long-
Term Care Ombudsman Report (and Instructions) for use from FY 2009-
2011. The current form and instructions are posted on the AoA Web site 
at:
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/elder_rights/LTCombudsman/NORS/Form_
final.doc
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/elder_rights/LTCombudsman/NORS/
Instructions_Final.doc
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/elder_rights/LTCombudsman/NORS/
Complaint%20Code%20Definition%20Final.doc.
    AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows: Approximately one and one-half hour per respondent, with 52 
State Agencies on Aging responding annually for a total of 78 hours per 
year.

    Dated: February 13, 2009.
Edwin L. Walker,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. E9-3522 Filed 2-18-09; 8:45 am]
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