[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 105 (Monday, June 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 33021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-10261]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Part 361

[Docket ID ED-2019-OSERS-0140]


State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

AGENCY: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. 
Department of Education.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period; policy interpretation.

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SUMMARY: On February 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education 
(Department) published a policy interpretation and request for comment 
concerning a change in policy regarding the use of Federal vocational 
rehabilitation (VR) funds reserved for pre-employment transition 
services. The interpretation established a deadline of March 30, 2020, 
for submitting comments. This document reopens the comment period.

DATES: The comment period for the policy interpretation that published 
February 28, 2020, at 85 FR 11848, is reopened. Comments are due July 
1, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Dobak, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 5153, Potomac Center Plaza, 
Washington, DC 20202-5108. Telephone: (202) 245-7325. Email: 
[email protected].
    If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text 
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 28, 2020, the Department 
published in the Federal Register (85 FR 11848) a notice of policy 
interpretation and request for comment concerning a change in policy 
regarding the use of Federal VR funds reserved for pre-employment 
transition services.
    Specifically, the Department issued this notice of interpretation 
to--(1) clarify current policy regarding the use of Federal VR funds 
reserved for the provision of pre-employment transition services to pay 
for auxiliary aids and services needed by all students with 
disabilities in order to access or participate in required pre-
employment transition services under section 113(b) of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and (2) announce a change in 
policy with respect to additional VR services needed by eligible 
students with disabilities that may be paid for with the 15 percent 
minimum of Federal VR grant funds reserved for the provision of pre-
employment transition services and the circumstances under which those 
funds may be used to pay for those additional VR services.
    The comment period closed on March 30, 2020. Because the novel 
coronavirus pandemic has disrupted operations of VR agencies, service 
providers, educational agencies, and other stakeholders nationwide, and 
because we have received a number of requests to reopen the comment 
period on this important issue, we are reopening the comment period 
until July 1, 2020.

    Note: All information in the notice of policy interpretation and 
request for comment concerning a change in policy regarding the use 
of Federal VR funds reserved for the provision of pre-employment 
transition services remains the same, except for the deadline for 
comments. For purposes of making comments, the notice of 
interpretation is published in full at 85 FR 11848 (Feb. 28, 2020).

    Accessible Format: Individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, 
audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the program contact person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other documents of this Department published 
in the Federal Register, in text or portable document format (PDF). To 
use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at 
the site.
    You may also access documents of the Department published in the 
Federal Register by using the article search feature at: 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

 Mark Schultz,
Commissioner, Rehabilitation, Services Administration. Delegated the 
authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant 
Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-10261 Filed 5-29-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4000-01-P