[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 48533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22610]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Rehabilitation 
Action Report (OWCP-44). A copy of the proposed information collection 
request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the 
date section of this Notice. This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted by December 18, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by 
hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax to (202) 354-9647; 
or by Email to [email protected]. Please use only one method of 
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note 
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be 
considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) 
administers the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and the 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These acts 
provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible workers with 
disabilities. Section 8104(a) of the FECA and Sec.  939(c) of the LHWCA 
provide that eligible injured workers are to be furnished vocational 
rehabilitation services, and Sec.  8111(b) of the FECA and Sec.  908(g) 
of the LHWCA provide that persons undergoing such vocational 
rehabilitation receive maintenance allowances as additional 
compensation. Form OWCP-44 is used to collect information necessary to 
decide if maintenance allowances should continue to be paid. Form OWCP-
44 is submitted to OWCP by contractors hired to provide vocational 
rehabilitation services. Form OWCP-44 gives prompt notification of key 
events that may require OWCP action in the vocational rehabilitation 
process. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through December 31, 2017.
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
    * 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, 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 
submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks the approval 
for the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to ascertain the status of a rehabilitation case and to expedite 
adjudicatory claims action based on events arising from a 
rehabilitation effort.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Title: Rehabilitation Action Report.
    OMB Number: 1240-0008.
    Agency Number: OWCP-44.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; State, Local, or 
Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 4,066.
    Total Annual Responses: 4,066.
    Average Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 678.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: October 4, 2017.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2017-22610 Filed 10-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CR-P