[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 205 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55060-55061]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25684]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Renewal From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Transportation Security Officer (TSO) 
Medical Questionnaire

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.

ACTION: 60-day renewal notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), OMB control number 1652-0032, abstracted below, that we will 
submit to the Office of Management and Budget

[[Page 55061]]

(OMB) for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The 
ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The collection involves using a questionnaire to collect 
medical information from candidates for the job of Transportation 
Security Officer (TSO) to ensure their qualifications to perform TSO 
duties pursuant to sec. 111 of the Aviation and Transportation Security 
Act (ATSA).

DATES: Send your comments by December 28, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to the 
Office of Information Technology, Attention TSA PRA Officer, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ginger LeMay at the above address, or 
by telephone (571) 227-3616 or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

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

Information Collection Requirement

OMB Number 1652-0032; TSO Medical Questionnaire

    TSA currently collects relevant medical information from 
Transportation Security Officer (TSO) candidates for the purpose of 
assessing whether the candidates meet the medical qualification 
standards the agency has established pursuant to the Aviation and 
Transportation Security Act (ATSA), Pub. L. 107-71 (November 19, 2001). 
TSA collects this information through a medical questionnaire completed 
by TSO candidates and, in certain cases, supplemental forms completed 
by TSO candidates' health care providers. The medical questionnaire and 
supplemental forms are used to evaluate a candidate's physical and 
medical qualifications to be a TSO, including visual and aural acuity, 
and physical coordination and motor skills. Only TSO candidates who 
successfully complete the steps in the hiring process leading up to the 
medical portion are required to complete the medical questionnaire. 
Candidates who disclose certain medical conditions on the medical 
questionnaire may be asked to have their health care provider complete 
one or more supplemental forms. Historical data indicate that 
approximately 30 percent of candidates reaching the medical evaluation 
will be required to complete one or more further evaluation forms.
    TSA has a variety of supplemental forms, each of which pertain to 
particular body systems and medical conditions, including cardiac, 
orthopedic, endocrine, vitals, and others. The type of supplemental 
form(s) completed by a candidate's health care provider depend(s) on 
the condition(s) revealed during a candidate's initial medical 
evaluation and disclosed on the initial medical questionnaire. For 
example, a candidate who discloses a previous back injury may be 
required to have his/her health care provider complete a supplemental 
form to enable the agency to better evaluate whether the candidate can 
perform the TSO job safely and efficiently without excessive risk of 
accident or injury to himself/herself or others.
    The current OMB control number for the medical questionnaire and 
supplemental forms is about to expire. TSA seeks to make minor 
modifications to the supplemental forms, and renew its OMB 
authorization to continue to use the medical questionnaire and 
supplemental forms, as modified. The modifications include moving 
language that clarifies that additional costs for further medical 
evaluations necessary to complete the supplemental forms will be 
incurred by the candidate and adding additional language to reflect 
changes in current medical practices/tests.
    TSA estimates that the potential annual respondent population for 
this collection of information will be 19,175 candidates and health 
care providers. This number includes 14,750 candidates and 4,425 health 
care providers, nationwide. TSA estimates the total annual hour burden 
as a result of the TSO medical questionnaire and supplemental forms to 
be 11,677 hours.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on October 21, 2009.
Ginger LeMay,
Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of Information Technology.
[FR Doc. E9-25684 Filed 10-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P