[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50045-50046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20314]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Authorization for Release of Medical 
Information for Black Lung Benefits

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Office of 
Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) sponsored information collection 
request (ICR) revision titled, ``Authorization for Release of Medical 
Information for Black Lung Benefits,'' to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public 
comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives 
on or before September 17, 2015.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge 
from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201505-1240-002 (this link will only become active 
on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting 
Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are 
not toll-free numbers) or sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request by mail or courier to the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-
OWCP, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202-395-5806 (this is not a toll-free 
number); or by email: [email protected]. Commenters are 
encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the 
Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance 
Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; or by email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202-693-
4129, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or sending an 
email to [email protected].

     Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This ICR seeks approval under the PRA for 
revisions to the Authorization for Release of Medical Information for 
Black Lung Benefits information collection, Form CM-936. Regulations 20 
CFR 725.405 requires all relevant medical evidence be considered before 
a decision is made regarding a claimant's eligibility for black lung 
benefits; consequently, a person who files such a claim may submit 
medical information to the OWCP, Division of Coal Mine Workers' 
Compensation to help develop the claim. Form CM-936 gives the 
claimant's consent for the release of that medical information by any 
physician, hospital, agency, or other organization to the OWCP. This 
information collection has been classified as a revision, because of 
minor changes to CM-936 to provide clearer language so claimants can 
better understand what information they need to provide. Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act of 1977 section 436 authorizes this information 
collection. See 30 U.S.C. 936.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that 
does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 
1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection 
under Control Number 1240-0034. The current approval is scheduled to 
expire on October 31, 2015; however, the DOL notes that existing 
information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a 
month-to-month extension while they undergo review. New requirements 
would only take effect upon OMB approval. For additional substantive 
information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the 
Federal Register on May 18, 2015 (80 FR 28302).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1240-0034. 
The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information,

[[Page 50046]]

including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-OWCP.
    Title of Collection: Authorization for Release of Medical 
Information for Black Lung Benefits.
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0034.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 900.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 900.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 75 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

     Dated: August 12, 2015.
Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-20314 Filed 8-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CK-P