[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 87 (Thursday, May 5, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27059-27067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10424]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

20 CFR Part 421

[Docket No. SSA-2016-0011]
RIN 0960-AH95


Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: We propose to implement provisions of the NICS Improvement 
Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) that require Federal agencies to provide 
relevant records to the Attorney General for inclusion in the National 
Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Under the proposed 
rule, we would identify, on a prospective basis, individuals who 
receive Disability Insurance benefits under title II of the Social 
Security Act (Act) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments under 
title XVI of the Act and also meet certain other criteria, including an 
award of benefits based on a finding that the individual's mental 
impairment meets or medically equals the requirements of section 12.00 
of the Listing of Impairments (Listings) and receipt of benefits 
through a representative payee. We propose to provide pertinent 
information about these individuals to the Attorney General on not less 
than a quarterly basis. As required by the NIAA, at the commencement of 
the adjudication process we would also notify individuals, both orally 
and in writing, of their possible Federal prohibition on possessing or 
receiving firearms, the consequences of such inclusion, the criminal 
penalties for violating the Gun Control Act, and the availability of 
relief from the prohibitions imposed by Federal law. Finally, we also 
propose to establish a program that permits individuals to request 
relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions based on our 
adjudication. The proposed rule would allow us to fulfill 
responsibilities that we have under the NIAA.

DATES: To ensure that your comments are considered, we must receive 
them no later than July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any one of three methods--
Internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same comment multiple times 
or by more than one method. Regardless of which method you choose, 
please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA-2016-0011 so 
that we may associate your comments with the correct regulation.
    Caution: You should be careful to include in your comments only 
information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge 
you not to include in your comments any personal information, such as 
Social Security numbers or medical information.
    1. Internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your comments 
via the Internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Use the ``Search'' function to find docket number 
SSA-2016-0011. The system will issue a tracking number to confirm your 
submission. You will not be able to view your comment immediately 
because we must post each comment manually. It may take up to a week or 
more for your comment to be viewable.
    2. Fax: Fax comments to (410) 966-2830.
    3. Mail: Mail your comments to NICS Comments, Social Security 
Administration, 3100 West High Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401.

[[Page 27060]]

    Comments are available for public viewing on the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov or in person, during 
regular business hours, by arranging with the contact identified below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Social Security Administration, 410-
965-3735 or [email protected]. We will not accept public comments at 
this telephone number or email address; to comment, please follow the 
instructions above. For information on eligibility or filing for 
benefits, call our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-
800-325-0778, or visit our Internet site, Social Security Online, at 
http://www.socialsecurity.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady 
Act) required the Attorney General to establish the NICS, which allows 
a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) to determine whether the law 
prohibits a potential buyer from possessing or receiving a firearm.\1\ 
The Brady Act and its implementing regulations are designed to prevent 
the transfer of firearms by FFLs to individuals who are not allowed to 
possess or receive them because of restrictions contained in the Gun 
Control Act of 1968, as amended,\2\ or State law. Federal law makes it 
unlawful for certain persons to ship, transport, receive, or possess 
any firearm or ammunition that has been shipped or transported in 
interstate or foreign commerce.\3\ As relevant to our programs, the 
Federal prohibition on the possession or receipt of firearms or 
ammunition applies to a person who, in the language of the statute, 
``has been adjudicated as a mental defective.'' \4\
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    \1\ Public Law 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536, 1541 (codified at 18 
U.S.C. 922 note).
    \2\ Codified at 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44.
    \3\ 18 U.S.C. 922(g) and (n).
    \4\ 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4). In these rules, we will refer to this 
prohibition as the ``Federal mental health prohibitor'' although we 
also use the statutory language in section 922(g)(4) in our proposed 
regulatory language below.
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    In 2007, Congress found that many background checks were delayed if 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not have automated access 
to complete information concerning persons prohibited from possessing 
or receiving a firearm under Federal or State law. Congress noted that 
the primary cause of delay in the NICS background checks included a 
lack of automated access to information concerning persons prohibited 
from possessing or receiving a firearm because of mental illness, 
restraining orders, or misdemeanor convictions for domestic 
violence.\5\ Congress also found that computerizing information 
relating to criminal history, criminal dispositions, mental illness, 
restraining orders, and misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence, 
or making this information available to the NICS in a usable format, 
could improve automated access to it.\6\
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    \5\ NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA), Public Law 
110-180, sec. 2, 121 Stat. 2559, 2559-2560.
    \6\ Id.
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    To address these concerns, Congress enacted the NIAA,\7\ which 
strengthened the NICS by increasing the quantity and quality of 
relevant records from Federal, State, and tribal authorities accessible 
by the system. Among other things, the NIAA requires that, if a Federal 
department or agency has any record demonstrating that a person falls 
within one of the categories in 18 U.S.C. 922(g) or (n), the head of 
that department or agency must provide the pertinent information 
contained in the record to the Attorney General, not less frequently 
than quarterly, for inclusion in the NICS.\8\
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    \7\ Public Law 110-180, 121 Stat. 2559 (codified at 18 U.S.C. 
922 note).
    \8\ NIAA, sec. 101(a)(4), 121 Stat. at 2161.
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    On January 16, 2013, the President issued a Memorandum to Federal 
departments and agencies aimed at further strengthening the accuracy 
and efficiency of the Federal background check system for firearms 
purchases.\9\ The President directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to 
provide guidance to agencies regarding the identification and sharing 
of relevant Federal records and their submission to the NICS; DOJ 
provided its guidance to agencies in March 2013.\10\
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    \9\ Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and 
Agencies, Improving Availability of Relevant Executive Branch 
Records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, 78 
FR 4297 (2013).
    \10\ Department of Justice, Guidance to Agencies Regarding 
Submission of Relevant Federal Records to the NICS (March 2013) 
(``DOJ Guidance'').
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    The relevant section of the DOJ Guidance discusses the Federal 
mental health prohibitor and the relevant agency records with respect 
to that prohibitor as follows:

    Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4), any person `who has been 
adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a 
mental institution' is prohibited from shipping, transporting, 
possessing or receiving firearms under federal firearms laws. ATF 
has clarified through regulations that this prohibitor covers the 
following circumstances and categories of individuals:
    (1) A determination by a court, board, commission or other 
lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal 
intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition or disease:
    [cir] Is a danger to himself, herself or others; or
    [cir] Lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his or her 
own affairs.
    This includes (1) a person found to be insane by a court in a 
criminal case, and (2) a person found incompetent to stand trial or 
found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility pursuant 
to articles 50a and 76b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10 
U.S.C. 850a, 876b.
    (2) A formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a 
court, board, commission or other lawful authority. This includes 
commitment to a mental institution involuntarily, commitment for 
mental defectiveness or mental illness or commitment for other 
reasons, such as for drug use. It does not include a person in a 
mental institution for observation or a voluntary admission to a 
mental institution.

    Please note the following four important things about this 
prohibitor:

     First, `mental institution' includes mental health 
facilities, mental hospitals, sanitariums, psychiatric facilities 
and other facilities that provide diagnoses by licensed 
professionals of mental retardation or mental illness, including a 
psychiatric ward in a general hospital.
     Second, `mental defective' does not include a person 
who has been granted relief from the disability through a qualifying 
federal or state relief from disability program as authorized by the 
NIAA.
     Third, `mental defective' also does not include a 
person whose adjudication or commitment was imposed by a federal 
department or agency, and:
    [cir] The adjudication or commitment has been set aside or 
expunged, or the person has otherwise been fully released or 
discharged from all mandatory treatment, supervision or monitoring;
    [cir] The person has been found by a court, board, commission or 
other lawful authority to no longer suffer from the mental health 
condition that was the basis of the adjudication or commitment, or 
has otherwise been found to be rehabilitated through any procedure 
available under law; or
    [cir] The adjudication or commitment is based solely on a 
medical finding of disability, without an opportunity for a hearing 
by a court, board, commission or other lawful authority, and the 
person has not been adjudicated as a mental defective consistent 
with 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4), except that nothing in this section or any 
other provision of law shall prevent a federal department or agency 
from providing to the Attorney General any record demonstrating that 
a person was adjudicated to be not guilty by reason of insanity, or 
based on lack of mental responsibility, or found incompetent to 
stand trial, in any criminal case or under the Uniform Code of 
Military Justice.
     Fourth, agencies that conduct mental health 
adjudications must provide both oral and written notice to the 
individual at the commencement of the adjudication process. Such 
notice must include:

[[Page 27061]]

    [cir] Notification that adjudication of the person as a mental 
defective or commitment to a mental institution, when final, will 
prohibit the individual from purchasing, possessing, receiving, 
shipping or transporting a firearm or ammunition under 18 U.S.C. 
922(d)(4) or 922(g)(4);
    [cir] Information about the penalties imposed for unlawful 
possession, receipt, shipment or transportation of a firearm under 
18 U.S.C. 924(a)(2); and
    [cir] Information about the availability of relief from the 
disabilities imposed by federal laws with respect to the 
acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation or 
possession of firearms.
    Relevant Records. Records that are relevant to this prohibitor 
include judgment and commitment orders, sentencing orders and court 
or agency records of adjudications of an individual's inability to 
manage his or her own affairs if such adjudication is based on 
marked subnormal intelligence or mental illness, incompetency, 
condition or disease. This last category includes certain agency 
designations of representative or alternate payees for program 
beneficiaries.\11\
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    \11\ The ATF regulations discussed in the DOJ Guidance are found 
at 27 CFR 478.11.

    Therefore, DOJ has determined that to comply with the NIAA, we must 
report to the Attorney General information about some of our title II 
and title XVI beneficiaries.\12\
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    \12\ As part of our responsibilities under the NIAA, we will 
also provide the Attorney General with copies of court orders that 
we receive regarding adult title II and title XVI disability 
beneficiaries who have been declared legally incompetent by a State 
or Federal court. Our procedures regarding these types of orders are 
found in POMS GN 00502.005 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502005) and GN 00502.300 (available at: 
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502300). The FBI 
would determine whether these court orders meet the requirements of 
the Federal mental health prohibitor.
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    The FBI collects and maintains, in the NICS Index, certain 
identifying information about individuals who are subject to one or 
more Federal prohibitors and thus are ineligible to possess or receive 
firearms.\13\ The minimum information required in a NICS Index record 
consists of the name of the ineligible individual, the individual's 
date of birth, sex, codes indicating the applicable prohibitor, and the 
submitting entity. We also propose to include the individual's Social 
Security number to ensure accurate identification. For individuals 
subject to the Federal mental health prohibitor, we would submit to the 
NICS only the fact that the individual is subject to that prohibitor; 
we would not provide underlying diagnoses, treatment records, or other 
identifiable health information, nor does the NICS maintain that 
information.
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    \13\ See National Instant Criminal Background Check System 
(NICS) Operations, 2014, at page 1 (available at: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics//2014-operations-report) (The NICS 
Index, ``a database created specifically for the NICS, contains 
information contributed by local, state, tribal, and federal 
agencies pertaining to persons prohibited from receiving or 
possessing a firearm pursuant to state and/or federal law. 
Typically, the records maintained in the NICS Index are not 
available via the III [Interstate Identification Index] or the NCIC 
[National Crime Information Center].'').
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    A NICS background check queries the NICS Index and certain other 
national databases to determine whether a prospective buyer's 
identifying information matches any prohibiting records contained in 
the databases.\14\ The NICS Index can be accessed only for the limited 
purposes authorized by regulation.\15\ The potential transfer of a 
firearm from an FFL to a prospective buyer proceeds as follows: (1) The 
prospective buyer is required to provide personal information on a 
Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473); (2) unless the prospective 
buyer has documentation that he or she qualifies for an exception to 
the NICS background check requirement,\16\ the FFL contacts the NICS--
electronically, by telephone, or through a State level point of 
contact--and provides certain identifying information about the 
prospective buyer from ATF Form 4473; \17\ (3) the FFL receives a 
response that the prospective firearm transfer may proceed, is denied, 
or is delayed. If the prospective buyer's information matches a record 
contained in one of the databases reviewed, but there is insufficient 
information in the record to immediately determine whether the firearm 
transfer should proceed or be denied, the transfer is delayed.
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    \14\ See National Instant Criminal Background Check System, Fact 
Sheet (available at: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nics/general-information/fact-sheet.) The other databases include the III, which 
contains criminal history record information; and the NCIC, which 
includes, e.g., information on persons subject to civil protection 
orders and arrest warrants.
    \15\ 28 CFR 25.6(j). Under this regulation, access to the NICS 
Index for purposes unrelated to NICS background checks is limited to 
uses for the purposes of: (1) Providing information to Federal, 
state, tribal, or local criminal justice agencies in connection with 
the issuance of a firearm-related or explosives-related permit or 
license, including permits or licenses to possess, acquire, or 
transfer a firearm, or to carry a concealed firearm, or to import, 
manufacture, deal in, or purchase explosives; (2) responding to an 
inquiry from ATF in connection with a civil or criminal law 
enforcement activity relating to the Gun Control Act or the National 
Firearms Act; or (3) disposing of firearms in the possession of a 
Federal, state, tribal, or local criminal justice agency.
    \16\ These exceptions are outlined in 27 CFR 478.102(d). For 
example, a NICS check would not be required where the potential 
recipient of a firearm has presented a valid State permit or 
license, provided conditions at 27 CFR 478.102(d)(1) are met.
    \17\ The form collects the prospective buyer's name; demographic 
information such as address, place and date of birth, sex, 
citizenship, race and ethnicity; and ``yes'' or ``no'' answers to 
questions about the person's criminal history and other potential 
prohibitors. The form is available at http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf.
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    If there is a match, a NICS examiner reviews the record to 
determine whether the information it contains is, in fact, prohibiting 
and then either: (1) Advises the FFL to proceed with the transaction if 
the record does not contain prohibiting information, (2) denies the 
transaction (due to ineligibility) if the record does contain 
prohibiting information, or (3) delays the transaction pending further 
research if it is unclear based solely on the existing information in 
the record whether it is prohibiting.\18\ The NICS examiner does not 
disclose the reason for the determination to the FFL. As a result, the 
FFL does not learn that the individual is ineligible due to the Federal 
mental health prohibitor. If the NICS examiner does not provide a final 
status to the FFL within 3 business days of the initial background 
check request, the FFL may proceed with the transaction, if he or she 
chooses to do so.\19\
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    \18\ For example, a ``delay'' response may mean that further 
research is required because potentially prohibitive criteria exist, 
but the matched records are incomplete. See Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) Fact Sheet, available at: www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/nice/general-information/fact-sheet.
    \19\ Some States have waiting periods that also must be complied 
with before a firearm may be transferred, regardless of whether a 
proceed response from the NICS is received by the FFL within 3 
business days.
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The Proposed Rule

    The regulatory changes in this proposed rule fall into three 
general categories: (1) Identifying relevant records and reporting 
pertinent information to the NICS, (2) oral and written notification to 
our title II and title XVI beneficiaries who meet the requisite 
criteria, and (3) establishing a program that permits our beneficiaries 
who meet the requisite criteria to apply for relief from the firearms 
prohibition imposed by 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) or (g)(4) by virtue of our 
adjudication.\20\
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    \20\ Section 101(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the NIAA specifies that relief 
and judicial review with respect to the ``relief from disabilities'' 
program shall be available according to the standards prescribed in 
18 U.S.C. 925(c). In these rules, we will refer to this program as 
the ``relief from firearm prohibitions'' program in order to avoid 
any possible confusion with our disability programs.
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Identifying Relevant Records and Reporting Pertinent Information to the 
NICS

    To comply with the requirements of the NIAA, we propose to 
identify, on a prospective basis, any title II or title XVI beneficiary 
whom we are required to

[[Page 27062]]

report for inclusion in the NICS because that person is subject to the 
Federal mental health prohibitor as a result of our adjudication. Under 
the governing regulations, the Federal mental health prohibitor applies 
when there has been a ``determination by a court, board, commission, or 
other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal 
intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease: 
(1) Is a danger to himself or to others; or (2) Lacks the mental 
capacity to contract or manage his own affairs.'' \21\ This regulation 
therefore contains three operative components. First, there must be a 
determination by a ``lawful authority.'' Second, the adjudication must 
concern (as relevant to our programs) an individual's inability to 
manage his or her own affairs. Third, the adjudication regarding the 
inability to manage an individual's affairs must be based on ``marked 
subnormal intelligence or mental illness, incompetency, condition or 
disease.''
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    \21\ 27 CFR 478.11.
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    There are several relevant observations regarding the application 
of these three factors to our adjudication process. First, our 
determination regarding an individual's claim for benefits, 
specifically our determination regarding the appointment of a 
representative payee, which we make in accordance with the authority 
granted to the Commissioner under the Act, constitutes a determination 
by a ``lawful authority.'' \22\ Second, the regulation's focus on an 
individual's lack of ``mental capacity to contract or manage his or her 
own affairs'' makes our appointment of a representative payee the 
determination that makes a person subject to the Federal mental health 
prohibitor.\23\ The DOJ Guidance discussed above makes that point 
clear, specifying that relevant records for the Federal mental health 
prohibitor include ``certain agency designations of representative or 
alternate payees for program beneficiaries.'' As we discuss in more 
detail below, once we have determined that an individual is disabled, 
we may need to decide whether he or she is capable of managing his or 
her benefits, or whether his or her interest would be served by the 
appointment of a representative payee.\24\ Finally, the regulation 
requires that the individual lack the mental capacity to manage his or 
her own affairs ``as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or 
mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease.'' Consequently, 
the basis for the individual's inability to manage his or her own 
affairs must therefore be the ``result of'' his or her mental 
impairment. As a result, individuals whom we are required to report to 
NICS will be a subset of the universe of individuals for whom we have 
appointed a representative payee.
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    \22\ See 42 U.S.C. 405(b)(1), 1383(c)(1)(A) (directing the 
Commissioner to ``make findings of fact, and decisions as to the 
rights of any individual applying for a payment'' under titles II 
and XVI of the Act), 902(a)(4) (providing that the Commissioner 
``shall be responsible for the exercise of all powers and the 
discharge of all duties of the Administration, and shall have 
authority and control over all personnel and activities thereof.'').
    \23\ See 42 U.S.C. 405(j)(1)(A), 1383(a)(2)(A)(ii); 20 CFR 
404.2010(a), 416.610(a).
    \24\ Id.
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    We recognize that there is no perfect fit between: (1) Our 
adjudication regarding a claimant's entitlement to benefits and 
determination of whether to designate a representative payee; and (2) 
the regulatory definition of an individual who is subject to the 
Federal mental health prohibitor. Considering the relevant regulatory 
factors, discussed above, however, we believe that there is a 
reasonable and appropriate fit between the criteria we use to decide 
whether some of our beneficiaries are disabled and require a 
representative payee and the Federal mental health prohibitor. 
Accordingly, we propose that, during the title II or title XVI claim 
development and adjudication process, or when we take certain post-
entitlement or post-eligibility actions, we will identify individuals 
who: (1) Filed a claim based on disability; (2) we have determined to 
be disabled based on a finding at step three of our sequential 
evaluation process that the individual's impairment(s) meets or 
medically equals the requirements of one of the Mental Disorders 
Listing of Impairments (Listings) (12.00 et seq.); \25\ (3) have a 
primary diagnosis code in our records that is based on a mental 
impairment; \26\ (4) have attained age 18, but have not yet attained 
full retirement age; and (5) require their benefit payments to be made 
through a representative payee because we have found that they are 
incapable of managing benefit payments.
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    \25\ See 20 CFR 404.1520(a)(4)(iii), 404.1520(d), 404.1525, 
404.1526, 416.920(a)(4)(iii), 416.920(d), 416.925, 416.926. The 
Listings are found in 20 CFR part 404, subpart P, appendix 1.
    \26\ The relevant diagnosis codes are: Listing 12.02: 2940 
(Organic Mental Disorders); Listing 12.03: 2950 (Schizophrenic, 
Paranoid and Other Psychotic Disorders); Listing 12.04: 2960 
(Affective Disorders); Listing 12.05: 3180 (Intellectual 
Disability); Listing 12.06: 3000 (Anxiety-Related Disorders); 
Listing 12.07: 3060 (Somatoform Disorders); Listing 12:08: 3010 
(Personality Disorders); and Listing 12.10: 2990 (Autistic Disorders 
and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders). See Program Operations 
Manual System (POMS) DI 26510.015G (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0426510015); DI 28084.035A 
(available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0428084035). If we find a claimant's borderline intellectual 
functioning to be of listing-level severity, we will use the code 
3195 and base the appropriate listing category for our finding of 
medical equivalence on a consideration of all the cognitive and 
behavioral manifestations in the particular claim. POMS DI 
26510.015G.
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    We propose to include the first four factors in order to help us 
identify individuals for whom our determination is the ``result of'' 
his or her mental impairment, and not because of another factor, such 
as the individual's age or physical impairment. The final factor, our 
appointment of a representative payee, focuses on the second factor 
under the applicable regulations, the individual's inability to manage 
his or her affairs.\27\
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    \27\ Our choice of an age criterion--individuals who have 
attained age 18, but have not yet attained full retirement age--also 
reflects the fact that when we appoint a representative payee for 
individuals at full retirement age or older, we do not obtain the 
type of medical evidence that would allow us to determine whether 
the inability to manage their benefit payments is as a result of a 
mental impairment or for some other reason.
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    We propose to include the existence of a Listing-level mental 
impairment as one of the criteria for our reporting to the NICS because 
the existence of such an impairment best identifies those beneficiaries 
who are unable to manage their affairs as a result of their mental 
impairment, and are therefore subject to the Federal mental health 
prohibitor. We use a five-step sequential evaluation process to decide 
if an individual who has filed a claim for benefits is disabled.\28\ At 
the third step of that process, we decide whether the individual has an 
impairment, or combination of impairments, that meets or medically 
equals the requirements of an impairment in the Listings.\29\ The 
Listings describe, for each of the major body systems, impairments that 
we consider severe enough to prevent an individual from doing any 
gainful activity, regardless of his or her age, education, or work 
experience.
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    \28\ 20 CFR 404.1520(a), 416.920(a). When we perform a 
continuing disability review, we use a separate sequential 
evaluation process to decide if a beneficiary continues to be 
disabled. 20 CFR 404.1594(f), 416.994(b)(5).
    \29\ In the sequential evaluation process we use to determine an 
individual's continuing eligibility, we consider whether the 
individual's medically determinable impairment(s) meets or medically 
equals the requirements of the Listings at the second step of the 
process in title II claims, and at the first step of the process in 
title XVI claims. 20 CFR 404.1594(f)(2), 416.994(b)(5)(i).
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    Most body system sections in the Listings contain two parts: An 
introduction and the specific listings. The introduction to each body 
system contains information relevant to the use

[[Page 27063]]

of the listings in that body system; for example, examples of common 
impairments in the body system and definitions used in the listings for 
that body system. The introductory section also may include specific 
criteria for establishing a diagnosis, confirming the existence of an 
impairment, or establishing that an impairment(s) satisfies the 
criteria of a particular listing in the body system. The specific 
listings follow the introduction in each body system. Within each 
listing, we specify the objective medical evidence and other findings 
needed to satisfy the criteria of that Listing.\30\
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    \30\ 20 CFR 404.1525(c), 416.925(c).
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    The Listings help us ensure that determinations or decisions of 
disability have a sound medical basis, that claimants receive equal 
treatment throughout the country, and that we can readily identify the 
majority of persons who are disabled. The level of severity described 
in the Listings--the inability to perform any gainful activity--is such 
that an individual who is not engaging in substantial gainful activity 
and who has an impairment that meets or medically equals the 
requirements of the Listings is generally considered unable to work by 
reason of the medical impairment alone.\31\ Thus, individuals who have 
a Listing-level impairment are the most severely disabled beneficiaries 
we serve. In our view, given the medical severity of a Listing-level 
impairment, using our award of benefits based on the mental disorders 
listings, combined with the appointment of a representative payee, as 
part of the criteria we use to identify individuals for reporting to 
the NICS most appropriately identifies beneficiaries who are subject to 
the Federal mental health prohibitor in a manner consistent with the 
congressional purpose expressed in the NIAA.
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    \31\ Social Security Ruling (SSR) 86-8 (available at: https://ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR86-08-di-01.html).
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    We acknowledge that we are not proposing to identify and report for 
inclusion in the NICS those individuals for whom we have appointed a 
representative payee after a finding of disability at step five of our 
sequential evaluation process. At step five of the sequential 
evaluation process we decide whether an individual can perform a 
significant number of jobs that exist in the national economy 
considering his or her age, education, past work experience, and 
residual functional capacity.\32\ In contrast to a step three finding 
of disability, which focuses on medical severity as established by 
objective criteria, a step five finding of disability takes into 
account vocational factors and depends on an assessment of the number 
of jobs in the economy that a person can perform. For the reasons 
discussed above, we believe that including individuals whom we have 
determined to have a Listing-level mental impairment (and who meet the 
other criteria that we propose), most closely comports with the 
requirements of the NIAA, the regulatory definition of the Federal 
mental health prohibitor, and the DOJ Guidance. However, we recognize 
that applying the proposal to beneficiaries who are found disabled at 
step five of our sequential evaluation process may also be a reasonable 
interpretation of the NIAA, its implementing regulations, and the DOJ 
Guidance, as applied to our programs. Therefore, during the comment 
period for this NPRM, we invite comment on the possible benefits and 
limitations of applying the proposal to beneficiaries who are found 
disabled based on a finding at step five of our sequential evaluation 
process. Further, we invite comment on the possible manner in which we 
could implement the proposal with respect to these beneficiaries in a 
manner that is least disruptive to our ability to process claims and 
deliver services to the public. We will consider the comments we 
receive on this issue, and determine whether to include these 
beneficiaries in our reporting to the NICS. If we decide to include 
beneficiaries who are found disabled at step five of our sequential 
evaluation process in our reporting to the NICS, we will respond to the 
comments and explain our reasons for doing so in any final rule, and 
make appropriate modifications to the regulatory language in the final 
rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See 20 CFR 404.1520(a)(4)(v), 404.1520(g), 
416.920(a)(4)(v), 416.920(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The information about the individual that we propose to report for 
inclusion in the NICS would consist of his or her: (1) Name, (2) full 
date of birth, (3) sex, and (4) Social Security number. We propose to 
provide the pertinent information about individuals meeting the 
proposed criteria to the Attorney General for inclusion in the NICS on 
not less than a quarterly basis. We also propose to provide information 
regarding these individuals on a prospective basis. That means we would 
report individuals to the Attorney General for inclusion in the NICS 
based on representative payee determinations meeting the 18 U.S.C. 
922(g)(4) requirements, that we make on or after the effective date of 
any final rule.
    In addition, if we conduct a continuing disability review 
(including an age-18 disability redetermination) in an individual's 
case and determine, on or after the effective date of any final rule, 
that the individual meets the criteria for inclusion in the NICS, we 
would also report that individual for inclusion in the NICS. That means 
that we would report an individual for inclusion in the NICS after a 
continuing disability review if we appoint a representative payee for 
the person because he or she is incapable of managing benefit payments 
as a result of a primary mental impairment that meets or medically 
equals the requirements of one of the Mental Disorders Listings. We 
would do so even if we originally determined that the individual did 
not require a representative payee because of his or her mental 
impairment before the effective date of any final rule.

Oral and Written Notification to Beneficiaries

    Under our representative payee policy, unless direct payment is 
prohibited, we presume that an adult beneficiary is capable of managing 
or directing the management of benefits. However, if we have 
information that the beneficiary has a mental or physical impairment 
that prevents him or her from managing or directing the management of 
benefits, we will develop the issue of capability.\33\ If a beneficiary 
has a mental impairment, we will develop the capability issue if there 
is an indication that the beneficiary may lack the ability to reason 
properly, is disoriented, has seriously impaired judgment, or is unable 
to communicate with others.\34\
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    \33\ POMS GN 00502.020 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502020). Under our policy, we prohibit 
legally incompetent beneficiaries and children under age 15 from 
receiving benefits directly. In these cases, we will appoint a 
representative payee. POMS GN 00502.005A (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502005).
    \34\ POMS GN 00502.020A.2.
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    It is also important to remember that we can reevaluate a 
beneficiary's capability even though we may have already determined a 
beneficiary's capability in the past. We are always alert to changes in 
circumstances that might indicate the need for a new capability 
determination. For example, a once incapable beneficiary who requests 
direct payment may now be capable, or a once capable beneficiary who is 
admitted to a mental hospital may now be incapable. We consider 
reviewing capability in a number of situations, including: When we 
perform a continuing disability review or an SSI redetermination 
(including an age-18 disability redetermination), when we discover that 
a beneficiary manages any other benefits that he or she may be

[[Page 27064]]

entitled to, when a beneficiary appeals the appointment of a payee, and 
when any other contact with the beneficiary or payee raises a question 
about the beneficiary's capability.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ POMS GN 00502.020A.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We base our determination of whether to pay a beneficiary directly 
or through a representative payee on evidence provided to us.\36\ When 
we adjudicate an individual's capability, we consider anything that 
helps us understand the beneficiary's ability to manage funds.\37\ 
Usually, we characterize evidence of capability as one of three types. 
First, we consider legal evidence; legal evidence is required only 
where there is an allegation that the beneficiary is legally 
incompetent.\38\ Second, we consider medical evidence; whenever 
possible, we will obtain medical evidence that indicates the 
beneficiary cannot manage or direct someone else to manage his or her 
benefits. Third, we consider lay evidence; in the absence of legal 
evidence, we will obtain lay evidence in all cases. If legal evidence 
establishes that the beneficiary is incompetent to manage or direct 
someone else to manage his or her benefits, the beneficiary must 
receive benefits through a representative payee, and no other 
development is necessary. Otherwise, we will make a capability 
determination based on lay and medical evidence.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See 20 CFR 404.2015, 416.625.
    \37\ POMS GN 00502.020B.
    \38\ POMS GN 00502.005A.2 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502005). Under our policy, there must be a 
court order in place for a finding that an individual is 
incompetent. The appointment of a legal guardian alone does not 
necessarily mean the beneficiary is legally incompetent. The court 
order must specifically address the beneficiary's competency or must 
contain a statement regarding the individual's ability to handle his 
or her financial affairs. If the court order does not specify 
incompetency, we may use the Digest of State Guardianship Laws found 
in POMS GN 00502.300 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502300) to help determine if the court order 
represents a finding of legal incompetence, or we may call the court 
for clarification. Id.
    \39\ POMS GN 00502.020B. We explain how we consider legal 
evidence of capability in POMS GN 00502.005 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502005). We explain how we 
consider medical evidence of capability in POMS GN 00502.025 
(available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502025). We explain how we consider lay evidence of capability 
in POMS GN 00502.030 (available at: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200502030).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NIAA requires any Federal department or agency that conducts 
proceedings to adjudicate a person as subject to the Federal mental 
health prohibitor to provide the person with both oral and written 
notice of several things at the commencement of the adjudication 
process.\40\ Consistent with the NIAA, the oral and written notice we 
propose to provide would advise the affected individual of the 
following: (1) The adjudication, when final, will prohibit him or her 
from purchasing, shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing 
firearms and ammunition, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4); 
(2) any person who knowingly violates these restrictions may be 
imprisoned for up to 10 years or fined up to $250,000, or both; and (3) 
relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions imposed by 18 U.S.C. 
922(d)(4) and (g)(4) as a result of our adjudication is available to 
the individual.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ Section 101(c)(3) of the NIAA, 121 Stat. at 2564.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For our purposes, we consider the commencement of the adjudication 
process to mean the beginning of the capability determination process 
described above.\41\ Under these proposed rules, we would provide oral 
and written notice to the beneficiary after we have determined that he 
or she meets the medical requirements for disability based on a finding 
that his or her impairment(s) meets or medically equals the 
requirements of the Mental Disorders Listings, but before we find that 
he or she requires a representative payee. We recognize that this means 
we would provide some beneficiaries with the oral and written notice 
required by the NIAA, but ultimately not report them to the NICS 
because we determine that they do not require representative payees. We 
believe that the NIAA requires this result. Section 101(c)(3)(A) of the 
NIAA specifically states that an agency must provide oral and written 
notice that, ``should the agency adjudicate the person as a mental 
defective,'' the adjudication, ``when final, will prohibit the 
individual from purchasing, possessing, receiving, shipping, or 
transporting a firearm or ammunition.'' (Emphasis added). The statutory 
language clearly indicates that Congress intended for us to provide the 
oral and written notice before we actually find that an individual 
needs a representative payee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ We recognize that, for purposes of reporting an individual 
to NICS, the ``commencement of the adjudication process'' differs 
from the meaning that we would attribute to that phrase in the 
context of our disability determination process. As we discuss here, 
for the purpose of these proposed rules, the commencement of the 
adjudication process refers to the commencement of the process we 
use to determine whether an individual requires a representative 
payee, after we have determined the individual to be disabled based 
on a finding at step three of our sequential evaluation process that 
the individual's impairment(s) meets or medically equals the 
requirements of one of the Mental Disorders Listing of Impairments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Program for Relief

    Section 101(a)(2)(A) of the NIAA requires a Federal agency that 
makes any adjudication related to the mental health of a person to 
establish a program that permits a person to apply for relief from the 
firearms prohibitions imposed by 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4). We propose to 
allow a person who is subject to the Federal mental health prohibitor 
because he or she meets the criteria in Sec.  421.110(b) to apply for 
relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions imposed as a result of 
our adjudication.
    We propose to provide these individuals with a process by which 
they can apply for relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions and a 
means to submit evidence for us to consider. As required by the NIAA, 
this request for relief process would focus on whether the 
circumstances regarding the disability, and the applicant's record and 
reputation, are such that we find the applicant will not be likely to 
act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that the granting of 
the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.\42\ To make 
these required findings, we propose to require the individual who 
requests relief to provide us with certain evidence, including evidence 
from his or her primary mental health provider regarding his or her 
current mental health status and mental health status for the past 5 
years. We also propose to require an applicant for relief to submit 
written statements and any other evidence regarding the applicant's 
reputation. As part of the relief process, we would also obtain a 
criminal history report on the applicant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ Section 101(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the NIAA, 121 Stat. at 2563; 
see 18 U.S.C. 925(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After the applicant submits the evidence required under the rules, 
a decision maker who was not involved in finding that the applicant's 
benefit payments must be made through a representative payee would 
review the evidence and act on the request for relief. We would notify 
the applicant in writing of our action regarding the request for 
relief.
    Section 101(c)(2)(A)(iii) of the NIAA specifies \43\ that relief 
and judicial review with respect to the relief program shall be 
available according to the standards prescribed in 18 U.S.C. 925(c). 
Section 925(c), in turn, provides that any person whose application for 
relief is denied may file a petition for a judicial review of the 
denial with the United States district court for the district in which 
he or she resides. The court may, in its discretion, admit additional 
evidence where failure to do

[[Page 27065]]

so would result in a miscarriage of justice. Consistent with the 
standards contained in 18 U.S.C. 925(c), we propose to include in the 
regulation a provision that the individual may seek judicial review 
when we deny his or her request for relief through the filing of a 
petition for relief in the United States district court for the 
district in which the individual resides.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ 121 Stat. at 2563.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866

    We have consulted with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
and determined that these proposed rules meet the requirements for a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and were 
subject to OMB review.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We certify that these proposed rules would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
only affect individuals. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis 
is not required under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    These proposed rules pose new public reporting burdens in Sec.  
421.150(b), 421.151(b)(1) and (2) and (c)(1) through (3), 421.152(b), 
and 421.165(b). Since we will create new forms for these requirements, 
we will solicit public comment for them in a separate future notice in 
the Federal Register as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act process.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Program Nos. 96.001, Social Security--
Disability Insurance; 96.002, Social Security--Retirement Insurance; 
96.004, Social Security--Survivors Insurance, and 96.006, 
Supplemental Security Income)

List of Subjects

    Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information, 
Privacy, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Carolyn W. Colvin,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security.


0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, we propose to add part 421 to 
chapter III of title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as 
follows:

PART 421--NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM (NICS)

Sec.
421.100 What is this part about?
421.105 Definitions of terms used in this part.
421.110 Identifying records relevant to the NICS.
421.120 NICS reporting requirements.
421.140 Notice requirements for an affected individual.
421.150 Requesting relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions.
421.151 Evidentiary requirements and processing a request for 
relief.
421.152 Time limits to provide evidence supporting a request for 
relief.
421.155 Burden of proof in requests for relief.
421.160 Granting a request for relief.
421.165 Actions on a request for relief.
421.170 Judicial review following a denial of a request for relief.

    Authority:  Section 702(a)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 902(a)(5)); sec. 101, Public Law 110-180, 121 Stat. 2559, 
2561 (18 U.S.C. 922 note).


Sec.  421.100  What is this part about?

    The rules in this part relate to the Brady Handgun Violence 
Prevention Act (Brady Act), as amended by the NICS Improvement 
Amendments Act of 2007 (NIAA) (Pub. L. 110-180). The Brady Act required 
the Attorney General to establish the National Instant Criminal 
Background Check System (NICS), which allows a Federal firearms 
licensee to determine whether the law prohibits a potential buyer from 
possessing or receiving a firearm. Among other things, the NIAA 
requires a Federal agency that has any records demonstrating that a 
person falls within one of the categories in 18 U.S.C. 922(g) or (n) to 
report the pertinent information contained in the record to the 
Attorney General for inclusion in the NICS. The rules in this part 
define key terms and explain which records we will report to the NICS. 
They also explain how we will provide oral and written notification to 
our title II and title XVI beneficiaries who meet the requisite 
criteria. Finally, the rules in this part explain how beneficiaries who 
meet the requisite criteria may apply for relief from the Federal 
firearms prohibitions, and how we will process a request for relief.


Sec.  421.105  Definitions of terms used in this part.

    For the purposes of this part:
    Adjudicated as a mental defective, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 
922(g)(4), as amended, means a determination by a court, board, 
commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of 
marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, 
condition, or disease: Is a danger to himself or others; or lacks the 
mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs.
    Affected individual means an individual:
    (1) Who has been found disabled based on a finding that the 
individual's impairment(s) meets or medically equals the requirements 
of one of the Mental Disorders Listing of Impairments (sections 12.00 
through 12.10 of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of this chapter) 
under the rules in part 404, subpart P of this chapter, or under the 
rules in part 416, subpart I of this chapter; and
    (2) For whom we need to make a capability finding under the rules 
in part 404, subpart U of this chapter, or under the rules in part 416, 
subpart F of this chapter, and that finding is the result of marked 
subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition or 
disease.
    Commencement of the adjudication process means, with respect to an 
affected individual, the beginning of the process we use to determine 
whether, as a result of a mental impairment:
    (1) An individual is capable of managing his or her own benefits; 
or
    (2) Whether his or her interests would be better served if we 
certified benefit payments to another person as a representative payee, 
under the rules in part 404, subpart U of this chapter, or the rules in 
part 416, subpart F of this chapter.
    Full retirement age has the meaning used in Sec.  404.409 of this 
chapter.
    NICS means the National Instant Criminal Background Check System 
established by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 
103-159, 107 Stat. 1536 (codified at 18 U.S.C. 922 note), as amended.
    Primary diagnosis code means the code we use to identify an 
individual's primary medical diagnosis in our records. The primary 
diagnosis refers to the basic condition that renders an individual 
disabled under the rules in part 404, subpart P of this chapter, or 
under the rules in part 416, subpart I of this chapter.
    Us or We means the Social Security Administration.


Sec.  421.110  Identifying records relevant to the NICS.

    (a) In accordance with the requirements of the NIAA, we will 
identify the records of individuals whom we have ``adjudicated as a 
mental defective.'' For purposes of the Social Security programs 
established under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act, we have 
``adjudicated as a mental defective'' any individual who meets the 
criteria in paragraphs (b)(1) through (5) of this section.
    (b) During our claim development and adjudication process, or when 
we take certain post-entitlement or post-eligibility actions, we will 
identify any individual who:

[[Page 27066]]

    (1) Has filed a claim based on disability;
    (2) Has been determined to be disabled based on a finding that the 
individual's impairment(s) meets or medically equals the requirements 
of one of the Mental Disorders Listing of Impairments (sections 12.00 
through 12.10 of appendix 1 to subpart P of part 404 of this chapter) 
under the rules in part 404, subpart P of this chapter, or under the 
rules in part 416, subpart I of this chapter;
    (3) Has a primary diagnosis code in our records based on a mental 
impairment;
    (4) Has attained age 18, but has not attained full retirement age; 
and
    (5) Requires that his or her benefit payments be made through a 
representative payee because we have determined, under the rules in 
part 404, subpart U of this chapter, or the rules in part 416, subpart 
F of this chapter, that he or she is incapable of managing benefit 
payments as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental 
illness, incompetency, condition or disease.
    (c) We will apply the provisions of this section to:
    (1) Capability findings that we make in connection with initial 
claims on or after [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] under the rules 
in part 404, subpart U of this chapter or the rules in part 416, 
subpart F of this chapter, or
    (2) Capability findings that we make in connection with continuing 
disability reviews (including age-18 disability redeterminations under 
Sec.  416.987 of this chapter) on or after [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL 
RULE] under the rules in part 404, subpart U of this chapter, or the 
rules in part 416, subpart F of this chapter. We will apply the 
provisions of this paragraph only with respect to capability findings 
in which we appoint a representative payee for an individual in 
connection with a continuing disability review.


Sec.  421.120  NICS reporting requirements.

    On not less than a quarterly calendar basis, we will provide 
information about any individual who meets the criteria in Sec.  
421.110 to the Attorney General, or his or her designate, for inclusion 
in the NICS. The information we will report includes the name of the 
individual, his or her full date of birth, his or her sex, and his or 
her Social Security number. We will also report any other information 
that the Attorney General determines Federal agencies should report to 
the NICS.


Sec.  421.140  Notice requirements for an affected individual.

    At the commencement of the adjudication process, we will provide 
both oral and written notice to an affected individual that:
    (a) A finding that he or she meets the criteria in Sec.  
421.110(b)(1) through (5), when final, will prohibit the individual 
from purchasing, possessing, receiving, shipping, or transporting 
firearms and ammunition, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4);
    (b) Any person who knowingly violates the prohibitions in 18 U.S.C. 
922(d)(4) or (g)(4) may be imprisoned for up to 10 years or fined up to 
$250,000, or both, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 924(a)(2); and
    (c) Relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions imposed by 18 
U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4) by virtue of our adjudication is available 
under the NIAA.


Sec.  421.150  Requesting relief from the Federal firearms 
prohibitions.

    (a) If we report an individual to the NICS based on a finding that 
he or she meets the criteria in Sec.  421.110(b)(1) through (5), the 
individual may apply for relief from the Federal firearms prohibitions 
imposed by Federal law as a result of our adjudication. If such an 
individual requests relief from us, we will apply the rules in 
Sec. Sec.  421.150 through 421.165.
    (b) An application for relief filed under this section must be in 
writing and include the information required by Sec.  421.151. It may 
also include any other supporting data that we or the applicant deems 
appropriate. When an individual requests relief under this section, we 
will also obtain a criminal history report on the individual before 
deciding whether to grant the request for relief.


Sec.  421.151  Evidentiary requirements and processing a request for 
relief.

    (a) When we decide whether to grant an application for relief, we 
will consider:
    (1) The circumstances regarding the firearms prohibitions imposed;
    (2) The applicant's record, which must include the applicant's 
mental health records and a criminal history report; and
    (3) The applicant's reputation, developed through witness 
statements or other evidence.
    (b) Evidence. The applicant must provide the following evidence to 
us in support of a request for relief:
    (1) A current statement from the applicant's primary mental health 
provider assessing the applicant's current mental health status and 
mental health status for the 5 years preceding the date of the request 
for relief; and
    (2) Written statements and any other evidence regarding the 
applicant's reputation.
    (c) Evidentiary requirements--(1) A current statement from the 
applicant's primary mental health provider submitted under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section. We will consider a statement from the 
applicant's primary mental health provider to be current if it is based 
on a complete mental health assessment that was conducted during the 
90-day period immediately preceding the date we received the 
applicant's request for relief under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. 
The statement must specifically address:
    (i) Whether the applicant has ever been a danger to himself or 
herself or others; and
    (ii) Whether the applicant would pose a danger to himself or 
herself or others if we granted the applicant's request for relief and 
the applicant purchased and possessed a firearm or ammunition.
    (2) Written statements regarding the applicant's character 
submitted under paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The statements must 
specifically:
    (i) Identify the person supplying the information;
    (ii) Provide the person's current address and telephone number;
    (iii) Describe the person's relationship with and frequency of 
contact with the applicant;
    (iv) Indicate whether the applicant has a reputation for violence 
in the community; and
    (v) Indicate whether the applicant would pose a danger to himself 
or herself or others if we granted the applicant's request for relief 
and the applicant purchased and possessed a firearm or ammunition.
    (3) The applicant may obtain written statements from anyone who 
knows the applicant, including but not limited to clergy, law 
enforcement officials, employers, friends, and family members, as long 
as the person providing the statement has known the applicant for a 
sufficient period, has had recent and frequent contact with the 
beneficiary, and can attest to the beneficiary's good reputation. The 
individual submitting the written statement must describe his or her 
relationship with the applicant and provide information concerning the 
length of time he or she has known the applicant and the frequency of 
his or her contact with the applicant. The applicant must submit at 
least one statement from an individual who is not related to the 
applicant by blood or marriage.

[[Page 27067]]

Sec.  421.152  Time limits to provide evidence supporting a request for 
relief.

    (a) An applicant has 30 days after the date on which he or she 
submits a request for relief under Sec.  421.150 to provide us with the 
evidence required under Sec.  421.151(b)(1) through (3).
    (b) An applicant may ask us for more time to submit evidence under 
paragraph (a) of this section. The request for an extension of time 
must be in writing and must give the reasons why the applicant cannot 
give us the required evidence within the 30-day period. If the 
applicant shows us that he or she had good cause for missing the 
deadline, we will extend the 30-day period. To determine whether good 
cause exists, we use the standards explained in Sec.  404.911 of this 
chapter.
    (c) If the applicant does not submit the evidence required under 
Sec.  421.151 within the 30-day period provided under paragraph (a) of 
this section, or within the extended period provided under paragraph 
(b) of this section, we will dismiss the request for relief.


Sec.  421.155  Burden of proof in requests for relief.

    An applicant who requests relief under Sec.  421.150 must prove 
that he or she is not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public 
safety and that granting relief from the prohibitions imposed by 18 
U.S.C. 922(d)(4) and (g)(4) will not be contrary to the public 
interest.


Sec.  421.160  Granting a request for relief.

    (a) We may grant an applicant's request for relief if the applicant 
establishes, to our satisfaction, that the circumstances regarding the 
disability, and the applicant's record and reputation, are such that 
the applicant will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public 
safety, and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to 
the public interest.
    (b) We will not grant an applicant's request for relief if the 
applicant is prohibited from possessing firearms by the law of the 
State in which the applicant resides.


Sec.  421.165  Actions on a request for relief.

    (a) After the applicant submits the evidence required under Sec.  
421.151 and any other evidence he or she wants us to consider, we will 
review the evidence, which will include any evidence from our records 
that we determine is appropriate. A decision maker who was not involved 
in making the finding that the applicant's benefit payments be made 
through a representative payee will review the evidence and act on the 
request for relief. We will notify the applicant in writing of our 
action regarding the request for relief.
    (b) If we deny an applicant's request for relief, we will send the 
applicant a written notice that explains the reasons for our action. We 
will also inform the applicant that if he or she is dissatisfied with 
our action, he or she has 60 days from the date he or she receives the 
notice of our action to file a petition seeking judicial review in 
Federal district court.
    (c) If we grant an applicant's request for relief, we will send the 
applicant a written notice that explains the reasons for our action. We 
will inform the applicant that we will notify the Attorney General, or 
his or her delegate, that the individual's record should be removed 
from the NICS database. We will also notify the applicant that he or 
she is no longer prohibited under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(4) from purchasing, 
possessing, receiving, shipping, or transporting firearms or ammunition 
based on the prohibition that we granted the applicant relief from. We 
will notify the Attorney General, or his or her delegate, that the 
applicant's record should be removed from the NICS database after we 
grant the applicant's request for relief.
    (d) The NIAA requires us to process each application for relief not 
later than 365 days after the date we receive it. If we fail to resolve 
an application for relief within that period for any reason, including 
a lack of appropriated funds, we will be deemed to have denied the 
relief request without cause. In accordance with the NIAA, judicial 
review of any petition brought under this paragraph shall be de novo.


Sec.  421.170  Judicial review following a denial of a request for 
relief.

    (a) Judicial review of our action denying an applicant's request 
for review is available according to the standards contained in 18 
U.S.C. 925(c). An individual for whom we have denied an application for 
relief may file a petition for judicial review with the United States 
district court for the district in which he or she resides.
    (b) If, on judicial review, a Federal court grants an applicant's 
request for relief, we will notify the Attorney General that the 
individual's record should be removed from the NICS database.

[FR Doc. 2016-10424 Filed 5-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4191-02-P