[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64109-64110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25089]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Wage and Hour Division


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Information Collections: Application of the Employee Polygraph 
Protection Act

AGENCY: Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension to the information collection request 
(ICR) titled, ``Application of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.'' 
This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
    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. A copy of the proposed information request can be obtained by 
contacting the office listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before January 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Control Number 1235-
0005, by either one of the following methods: Email: 
[email protected]; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Division of 
Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210.
    Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one 
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and 
Control Number identified above for this information collection. 
Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail in the 
Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit 
their comments electronically via email or to submit them by mail 
early. Comments, including any personal information provided, become a 
matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or included 
in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of 
the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Waterman, Compliance 
Specialist, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, 
Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-0406 
(this is not a toll-free number). Copies of this notice may be obtained 
in alternative formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape, or Disc), 
upon request, by calling (202) 693-0023 (not a toll-free number). TTY/
TTD callers may dial toll-free (877) 889-5627 to obtain information or 
request materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department 
of Labor (DOL) administers the Employee

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Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA), 29 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. The 
EPPA prohibits most private employers from using any lie detector tests 
either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment. 
The Act contains an exemption applicable to Federal, State and local 
government employers. The EPPA also contains several limited exemptions 
authorizing polygraph tests under certain conditions, including 
testing: (1) By the Federal Government of experts, consultants, or 
employees of Federal contractors engaged in national security 
intelligence or counterintelligence functions; (2) of employees the 
employer reasonably suspects of involvement in a workplace incident 
resulting in economic loss or injury to the employer's business; (3) of 
some prospective employees of private armored cars, security alarm and 
security guard firms; and (4) of some current and prospective employees 
of certain firms authorized to manufacture, distribute, or dispense 
controlled substances. The WHD may assess civil money penalties against 
employers who violate any EPPA provision. This amount increases 
annually due to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015. On November 2, 2015, the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 was signed 
into law to advance the effectiveness of civil money penalties and to 
strengthen their deterrent effect. Outdated penalties are a problem 
because civil penalties are less effective when they do not keep pace 
with the cost of living. The law directs agencies across the federal 
government to adjust their penalties for inflation each year in 
January.
    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;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
     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;
     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 an approval for 
the extension of this information collection in order to ensure 
effective administration of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Wage and Hour Division.
    Title: Application of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
    OMB Number: 1235-0005.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions, Farms, State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 593,400.
    Total Annual Responses: 593,400.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 68,739.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30-45 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operation/maintenance): $0.

    Dated: November 13, 2019.
Amy DeBisschop,
Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation.
[FR Doc. 2019-25089 Filed 11-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-27-P