[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5663-5664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01858]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[30Day-20-0215]


Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection request titled Application Form and Related Forms for the 
Operation of the National Death Index (NDI) to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a 
``Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations'' notice on October 9, 2019 to obtain comments from the 
public and affected agencies. CDC received one comment related to the 
previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for 
public and affected agency comments.
    CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information 
collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly 
interested in comments that:
    (a) 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;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected;
    (d) 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; and
    (e) Assess information collection costs.
    To request additional information on the proposed project or to 
obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call 
(404) 639-7570 or send an email to [email protected]. Direct written comments 
and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the 
Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Provide 
written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

    Application Form and Related Forms for the Operation of the 
National Death Index (NDI) (OMB Control No. 0920-0215, Exp. 12/31/
2019)--Reinstatement with Change--National Center for Health Statistics 
(NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C.), as 
amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect statistics on the extent and 
nature of illness and disability of the population of the United 
States.
    The National Death Index (NDI) is a database containing identifying 
death record information submitted annually to NCHS by all the 
jurisdiction (states and territories) vital statistics offices, 
beginning with deaths in 1979. Searches against the NDI file provide 
the jurisdictions and dates of death, and the death certificate numbers 
of deceased study subjects.
    Using the NDI Plus service, researchers have the option of also 
receiving cause of death information for deceased subjects, thus 
reducing the need to request copies of death certificates from the 
jurisdictions. The NDI Plus option currently provides the International 
Classification of Disease (ICD) codes for the underlying and multiple 
causes of death for the years 1979-2018. Health researchers must 
complete administrative forms in order to apply for NDI services, and 
submit records of study subjects for computer matching against the NDI 
file.
    CDC requests OMB approval to continue the use of the three 
administrative forms (the application form, repeat request form, and 
transmittal form) utilized in the operation of the National Death Index 
(NDI) program, along with worksheets used to calculate related fees. 
These forms are submitted by NDI users when applying for use of the NDI 
and when actually using the service. In addition, this request includes 
the introduction of electronic versions that will ultimately replace 
the three paper documents, one of which will include a minor reduction 
in the number of data collection items.
    OMB approval is requested for three years. Participation is 
voluntary and there is no cost to respondents except for their time. 
Total estimated annualized burden will increase 330 hours, due 
primarily to the expected increase in use of the NDI application, 
repeat request and transmittal forms. The revised total estimated 
annualized burden hours are 787.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Average
                                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per
          Type of respondents                   Form name           respondents    responses per   response  (in
                                                                                    respondent        hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Researcher............................  Application Form--Paper.              10               1               3
Researcher............................  Application Form--                   120               1             2.5
                                         electronic.

[[Page 5664]]

 
Researcher............................  Repeat Request Form--                140               1           18/60
                                         Paper/Electronic.
Researcher............................  Transmittal Form--Paper/             300               3           18/60
                                         Electronic.
Researcher............................  Early Transmittal Form--             100               3           18/60
                                         Paper/Electronic.
Researcher............................  Fee Worksheet...........             216               1           15/60
Researcher............................  Early Release Fee                     44               1            2/60
                                         Worksheet.
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Jeffrey M. Zirger,
Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific 
Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2020-01858 Filed 1-30-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4163-18-P