[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 15, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42732-42742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12931]



[[Page 42732]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

42 CFR Part 71

[Docket No. CDC-2019-0063]
RIN 0920-AA72


Control of Communicable Diseases; Importation of Human Remains

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within 
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is issuing this 
Final Rule (FR) to amend two provisions within its Foreign Quarantine 
regulations to best protect the public health of the United States. The 
provisions in this Final Rule clarify various safeguards to prevent the 
importation and spread of communicable diseases affecting human health 
into the United States from threats posed by human remains.

DATES: This rule is effective August 14, 2020. Direct written comments 
regarding the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) items contained in this 
document by August 14, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding this Final 
Rule: Ashley C. Altenburger, J.D., Division of Global Migration and 
Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton 
Road NE, MS-H16-4, Atlanta, GA 30329. For information regarding CDC 
operations related to this Final Rule: ATTN: Kendra Stauffer, D.V.M., 
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-V-18-2, Atlanta, GA 
30329. Either person may also be reached by telephone 404-498-1600 or 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Public Participation
II. Background
    A. Legal authority
    B. Regulatory History
III. Summary of the Final Rule
IV. Overview of Public Comment to the 2019 NPRM
V. Alternatives Considered
VI. Required Regulatory Analyses
    A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
    B. Executive Order 13771
    C. The Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. The Paperwork Reduction Act
    E. Executive Order 12866
    F. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    G. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform
    H. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    I. The Plain Language Act of 2010

I. Public Participation

    On November 25, 2019, HHS/CDC published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) (84 FR 64808) to amend 42 CFR part 71 (Foreign 
Quarantine). The public was invited to comment on these amendments. In 
the NPRM, HHS/CDC specifically requested public comment on the 
following:
     Proposed Definitions for ``death certificate,'' ``human 
remains,'' ``importer,'' and ``leak-proof container.''
     Whether other valid documents should be accepted in lieu 
of a death certificate.
     The applicability of 42 CFR 71.63 to 42 CFR 71.55.
     The costs to importers to support inspections and respond 
to CDC questions.
     Repackaging costs or decomposition costs.
    The public comment period for the proposed rule ended on January 
24, 2020, and HHS/CDC received three comments from the public. A 
summary of those comments and responses to those comments are found at 
Section IV, below.

II. Background

A. Legal Authority

    The primary legal authorities supporting this rulemaking are 
sections 361 and 362 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264 
and 265). Section 361 authorizes the Secretary \1\ of HHS to make and 
enforce such regulations as in the Secretary's judgment are necessary 
to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable 
diseases from foreign countries into the states or possessions of the 
United States or from one state or possession into any other state or 
possession. A detailed explanation of these legal authorities was 
provided in the NPRM published at 84 FR 64809.
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 264 and 265 by their terms grant authority to the 
U.S. Surgeon General. The Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1966 
abolished the Office of the Surgeon General and transferred the 
Surgeon General's functions to the Secretary of Health, Education, 
and Welfare (now Secretary of HHS). 31 FR 8855, 80 Stat. 1610 (Jun. 
25, 1966). The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare was re-
designated the Secretary of Health and Human Services by section 
509(b) of Public Law No. 96-88, 93 Stat. 695 (codified at 20 U.S.C. 
3508(b)). Although the Office of the Surgeon General was re-
established in 1987, the Secretary of HHS has retained the authority 
for carrying out the functions of the Surgeon General under 42 
U.S.C. 264 and 265.
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B. Regulatory History

    On November 25, 2019, HHS/CDC published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking to update 42 CFR 71.50 and 42 CFR 71.55 within its Foreign 
Quarantine regulations to address the risk to public health from the 
importation of human remains into the United States. The provisions 
contained within the proposal were designed to enhance HHS/CDC's 
ability to prevent the importation and spread of communicable diseases 
into the United States and interstate by clarifying for the public HHS/
CDC's capabilities and current practices, while also making them more 
transparent.

III. Summary of the Final Rule

    To best reflect current practice, HHS/CDC has renamed 42 CFR 71.55 
``Importation of Human Remains'' to clarify that our authority extends 
to portions of the human body, and not only to ``dead bodies'' as a 
whole, as well as to highlight the difference in documentation needed 
between human remains imported for final resting (under Sec.  71.55) 
and human body parts primarily imported for other reasons, which may 
fall under Sec.  71.54 ``Import regulations for infectious biological 
agents, infectious substances, and vectors.'' Also for added clarity, 
HHS/CDC has included four new definitions under 42 CFR 71.50 Scope and 
definitions, which is applicable to importations under part 71 subpart 
F: ``death certificate,'' ``human remains,'' ``importer,'' and ``leak-
proof container.''
    Updated 42 CFR 71.55(a), now states that all human remains intended 
for import into the United States and those transiting through the 
United States en route to a foreign destination must be contained in a 
leak-proof container that is packaged and shipped in accordance with 
all applicable legal requirements. This requirement will ensure that 
individuals handling the packages of human remains are not exposed to 
body fluids that may contain an infectious biological agent or 
embalming material, regardless of whether the remains are intended for 
importation or are in transit through the United States.
    Section 71.55(b) informs the public that imports of human remains 
known to contain or reasonably suspected of containing an infectious 
biological agent must abide by 42 CFR 71.54 to ensure that all measures 
are taken to protect U.S. public health. This includes remains known to 
contain or reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological 
agent that have not or cannot be rendered noninfectious.

[[Page 42733]]

    Under Sec.  71.55(c)(1)(i), to ensure that human remains imported 
for final resting enter only for the intended purpose, we have included 
a requirement that such remains be consigned ``directly'' to a licensed 
mortuary, cemetery, or crematory. Section 71.55(c)(1)(ii), requires 
that these remains (unless embalmed) must also be accompanied by a 
death certificate or, if the death certificate is incomplete or 
missing, an importer certification statement confirming that the human 
remains are not known to contain or stating why the human remains are 
not reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent. 
Such documentation ensures that the human remains do not pose a threat 
to public health because the decedent succumbed to a communicable 
disease, including a quarantinable communicable disease.
    Under Sec.  71.55(c)(2)(i), if human remains are imported for 
medical examination or autopsy, the remains must be consigned directly 
to an entity authorized to perform such functions under the laws of the 
applicable jurisdiction prior to subsequent burial, entombment, or 
cremation. By ``authorized,'' HHS/CDC includes government entities that 
typically perform medical examinations or autopsies such as state or 
local coroners' offices, as well as private entities operating in 
compliance with the laws of the relevant jurisdiction. Upon completion 
of the medical examination or autopsy, the human remains must be 
immediately delivered to a licensed mortuary, cemetery, or crematory 
that will be responsible for final resting. Section 71.55(c)(2)(ii), 
requires that these remains (unless embalmed) be accompanied by a death 
certificate or, if the death certificate is incomplete or missing, an 
importer certification statement confirming that the human remains are 
not known to contain or stating why the human remains are not 
reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent. Such 
documentation ensures that the human remains being imported do not pose 
a threat to public health because the decedent succumbed to a 
communicable disease, including a quarantinable communicable disease.
    Section 71.55(c)(3) requires that, unless embalmed, all ``human 
remains'' (as that term is defined) imported into the United States for 
purposes other than final resting or autopsy be accompanied by an 
importer certification statement confirming that the human remains are 
not known to contain or stating why the human remains are not 
reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent. This 
language addresses the other uses for human remains such as medical 
training or anatomical display.
    Finally, under Sec.  71.55(d), the CDC Director may suspend the 
entry or importation of human remains under 42 CFR 71.63 if the 
Director determines that such an action is necessary to protect the 
public health. Such an action may occur when (i) the import is coming 
from a foreign country designated by the CDC Director as a place where 
a communicable disease exists that could threaten U.S. public health 
and (ii) the import increases the risk of introducing or spreading the 
communicable disease into the United States. In the past, this 
provision has only been invoked to temporarily suspend wildlife 
reservoirs of zoonotic disease and HHS/CDC does not anticipate that 
this provision will be invoked frequently absent a public health 
emergency where such measures would be needed to protect U.S. public 
health.
    As in the proposal, HHS/CDC notes that certain federal partners, 
such as the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State 
(DOS), may require that human remains of military or civilian personnel 
continue on to a place of final resting outside of the United States 
after the remains are transported into the United States. Such a 
transport will not be deemed an ``import'' under this Final Rule and 
therefore will not be subject to the requirement that remains be 
consigned ``directly'' to a licensed mortuary, cemetery, or crematory, 
because the remains are ``transiting'' through the United States en 
route to final destination. We note also that, under this Final Rule, 
HHS/CDC will not prevent human remains from transiting through a U.S. 
port of entry en route to another country, provided that the remains 
are properly packaged in a leak-proof container and in compliance with 
applicable transportation requirements.
    Upon consideration of the public comments received, HHS/CDC did not 
make any changes to the language proposed to amend part 71 as set forth 
in the November 2019 NPRM (84 FR 64808). Therefore, this regulation is 
finalized as proposed.

IV. Overview of Public Comments to the 2019 NPRM

    On November 25, 2019, HHS/CDC published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking proposing to amend the current foreign quarantine 
regulations for the control of communicable diseases. The NPRM included 
a 60-day public comment period and during this time, HHS/CDC received 
three comments from the public.
    All comments received were in support of this regulation. All three 
of the commenters expressed that this regulation is important for 
safeguarding public health. In addition, one commenter expressed that 
the updated regulation ``represent[s] an appropriate response to 
complaints concerning public health'' and ``the updated definition and 
unambiguous re-codification of these provisions are simple enough for a 
(sic) someone lacking education in medicine to understand and can be 
adhered to by almost anyone.'' Furthermore, another commenter expressed 
that ``. . . these new provisions would be a good idea to amend, as 
they make the process of bringing remains to the United States safer [ 
. . . ] these additional safety nets are needed, especially when 
regarding public health.''
    HHS/CDC thanks the commenters for their input on the proposed rule.

V. Alternatives Considered

    As discussed in more detail above and analyzed in VI(A), HHS/CDC 
amends two provisions within its foreign quarantine regulations 
(specifically, 42 CFR 71.50 and 71.55) to provide additional clarity 
and safeguards to address the risk to public health from the 
importation of human remains into the United States.
    In addition to quantitatively analyzing the economic impact of 
providing additional clarity and safeguards to address the public 
health risk from importation of human remains relative to the status 
quo baseline, HHS/CDC also considered alternatives to this Final Rule. 
HHS/CDC considered alternatives that were both more and less burdensome 
than the amendments to 42 CFR 71.50 and 71.55 described in this Final 
Rule.
    First, HHS/CDC considered whether a leak-proof container was 
necessary for importing human remains. If HHS/CDC did not specify leak-
proof containers for importation, such an alternative would be a 
potentially less burdensome requirement than transport of human remains 
in leak-proof containers. This alternative may potentially reduce the 
burden of airlines and importers. However, the reduced burden is hard 
to quantify because it is unclear whether importers or airlines would 
change their current practices if the less burdensome alternative was 
chosen. HHS/CDC does not believe this regulatory alternative would 
significantly change the current status quo baseline.
    First, the reduced burden to airlines of this alternative would 
probably be

[[Page 42734]]

minor. The current requirements of the four largest U.S. carriers to 
ship human remains are already consistent with the HHS/CDC's leak-proof 
container requirement. If HHS/CDC did not specify that human remains be 
imported in leak-proof containers, airlines may choose to maintain 
their existing requirements for transporting human remains 
internationally in leak-proof containers to avoid exposures to their 
employees. The usage of leak-proof containers may also be regulated 
under the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration's requirements (refer to 29 CFR 1910.1030) after entry 
through ports of entry.
    In addition, importers (other than colleges, hospitals, or 
laboratories) of human remains for purposes other than burial, 
entombment, or cremation may already be subject to U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) packaging requirements delineated in 49 CFR 
173.199. These requirements are more burdensome than HHS/CDC's leak-
proof container requirement.
    Another alternative would be to require a more burdensome 
requirement, such as a hermetically sealed casket, to import all un-
embalmed human remains. This alternative would increase importers' 
burdens compared to the Final Rule. The increased burden, however, is 
hard to quantify because of limited data. The cost of this alternative 
would be much more expensive than the cost associated with the status 
quo guidance and HHS/CDC does not believe the marginal improvement to 
public health would justify the substantially increased cost of 
requiring hermetically sealed caskets to import all un-embalmed human 
remains. For the purposes of this Final Rule, HHS/CDC will apply an 
established definition of embalming as the (1) reduction of 
microorganisms within the dead human body; (2) retarding of organic 
decomposition, and (3) restoring the deceased to a life-like 
appearance.\2\
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    \2\ The American Board of Funeral Services Education, course 
content, 2001, and (3) Mayer, RG. Embalming, History, Theory, and 
Practice, 5th edition. 2012: McGraw-Hill Medical; ISBN 978-0-07-
174139-2.
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    From a public health perspective, embalming of human remains is 
considered a mechanism to render the remains noninfectious so they no 
longer pose a risk of exposure to communicable diseases. For some 
diseases, such as Ebola virus disease, embalming may pose a public 
health risk to personnel performing the embalming process because of 
the very high risk of exposure to blood and other body fluids; for 
these diseases, embalming is not recommended.
    HHS/CDC documentation requirements are consistent with existing 
international agreements and instruments governing the international 
transportation of human remains as noted in the DOS Foreign Affairs 
Manual, 7 FAM 252(b).\3\ The documentation requirements listed in 42 
CFR 71.55(c) only apply to human remains that are not embalmed. Since 
the majority of human remains imported for burial, entombment, or 
cremation are embalmed, most importations would not be affected by this 
codification of current practice.
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    \3\ The international agreements and instruments listed in 7 FAM 
252(b) are (1) Council of Europe, Agreement on The Transfer Of 
Corpses, Signed at Strasbourg, October 26th, 1973; (2) Pan American 
World Health Organization, XVII Pan American Sanitary Conference, 
XVIII Regional Committee Meeting, Resolution XXIX, adopted in 
Washington, October 7th, 1966, International Transportation Of Human 
Remains; and (3) International Arrangements Concerning the 
Conveyance of Corpses, Signed at Berlin, February 10, 1937.
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    A less burdensome alternative would be to also eliminate the 
documentation requirements for un-embalmed human remains. However, as 
noted in 7 FAM 258, DOS states that the consular mortuary certificate 
is designed to facilitate U.S. Customs Clearance. In addition, DOS 
requests a certificate of death, an affidavit by the local funeral 
director, and a transit permit as required by local laws to support 
exporting human remains. It should be noted that the documentation 
requested by DOS to support the transportation of cremated human 
remains (which are exempt from HHS/CDC requirements) are similar to the 
requested documentation for non-cremated human remains.\4\ In general, 
HHS/CDC would expect that death certificates or the Affidavit of 
Foreign Funeral Director and Transit Permit would be created in the 
event of an overseas death and would be available for most human 
remains imported for burial, entombment, or cremation. However, it may 
be necessary to provide either a (translated) death certificate or to 
translate the Affidavit of Foreign Funeral Director or Transit Permit. 
Thus, the primary cost may be for translation services for these 
documents if human remains are imported from a non-English-speaking 
country. However, since the importation of most human remains are 
already facilitated by DOS consular offices, translated documentation 
may already be provided to U.S. consular offices in most cases. Without 
the documentation required in this Final Rule, it would not be possible 
for HHS/CDC to confirm that individuals did not die from a 
quarantinable communicable disease or otherwise pose a public health 
risk to individuals exposed to their un-embalmed remains. In the past, 
HHS/CDC has not routinely had issues obtaining these documents for 
imported, un-embalmed human remains for burial, entombment, or 
cremation, and did not receive any public comments on the cost or 
burden of producing such documentation. HHS/CDC believes that the costs 
associated with increased risk of exposure to un-embalmed human remains 
infected with communicable diseases justify the expense for the 
documentation requirements in new 42 CFR 71.55(c), once finalized, for 
un-embalmed human remains.
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    \4\ Refer to 7 FAM 256.
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    A more burdensome documentation requirement would be to require 
that all importations of human remains (i.e., embalmed remains as well 
as un-embalmed remains) comply with this documentation requirement. 
However, HHS/CDC does not believe that the public health risks posed by 
embalmed human remains (e.g., exposure to embalming fluids) shipped in 
leak-proof containers necessitate additional documentation requirements 
for public health purposes.
    HHS/CDC also considered an alternative in which different 
requirements would apply to different countries. However, since most 
human remains that are imported to the United States were U.S. 
citizens, permanent residents, or their relatives, HHS/CDC does not 
generally believe the risk of exposure to communicable diseases is 
likely to vary depending based on the country from which human remains 
are imported. HHS/CDC does address the potential need to apply 
different requirements to different countries in 42 CFR 71.55(d). The 
CDC Director may suspend the entry or importation of human remains 
under 42 CFR 71.63 if the Director determines that such an action is 
necessary to protect the public health. Such an action may occur when 
(i) the import is coming from a foreign country designated by the CDC 
Director as a place where a communicable disease exists that could 
threaten U.S. public health and (ii) the import increases the risk of 
introducing or spreading the communicable disease into the United 
States. In the past, this provision has only been invoked to 
temporarily suspend wildlife reservoirs of zoonotic disease such as 
suspension of six genera of African rodents to prevent further 
importation of monkeypox virus during the 2003 monkeypox outbreak. The 
order was later replaced by an interim Final Rule on November 3, 2003 
(42 CFR 71.56 and

[[Page 42735]]

42 CFR 1240.63). HHS/CDC does not anticipate that this provision will 
be invoked frequently absent a public health emergency where such 
measures would be needed to protect U.S. public health.

VI. Required Regulatory Analyses

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' and 
13563 ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,'' direct agencies 
to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives 
and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, 
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both 
costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting 
flexibility.
Statement of Need
    As discussed in more detail above, HHS/CDC amends two provisions 
within its foreign quarantine regulations (specifically, 42 CFR 71.50 
and 71.55) to provide additional clarity and safeguards to address the 
risk to public health from the importation of human remains into the 
United States. In recent years, HHS/CDC has received an increased 
number of notifications regarding the importation of body parts that 
are improperly packaged (e.g., contained in garbage bags or coolers 
susceptible of leaking fluid) or that lack proper documentation (e.g., 
importers stating only that the remains are to be used for 
``training.'').5 6 In some cases, importers have 
misrepresented the contents of their shipped packages containing human 
remains, and the shipped containers with human remains were 
subsequently found to be leaking.
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    \5\ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/26/the-husband-and-wife-duo-who-allegedly-dismembered-diseased-bodies-and-sold-them-for-profit/.
    \6\ https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodies-brokers/.
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    HHS/CDC has two regulatory provisions that control the safe 
importation of human remains into the United States:
     Under Sec.  71.54, CDC requires an import permit for the 
importation of a whole body or body part that is known to contain or 
reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent.
     Under current Sec.  71.55, CDC requires that imported 
human remains be cremated, or properly embalmed and placed in a 
hermetically sealed casket, or accompanied by a permit issued by the 
CDC Director if the cause of death was a quarantinable communicable 
disease.
    Because both Sec. Sec.  71.54 and 71.55 are applicable to imported 
human remains, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents often hold 
bodies and body parts for several days at the port of entry until a 
determination is made as to which regulatory provision should apply. 
While CDC has published guidance on its website, it believes that 
further rulemaking is needed to address these concerns. Therefore, HHS/
CDC is formally amending its regulations to codify current policy, to 
clarify roles and responsibilities, and to better inform importers what 
requirements may apply, including when a permit may be needed. These 
changes are not intended to affect the operations of other federal 
partners who have a role in either the importation of human remains or 
the regulation of such imports.
    The regulatory changes described in the preamble and reported below 
are a codification of current requirements authorized under existing 42 
CFR 71.32(b), 71.54, 71.55, and 71.63, and described in guidance. Since 
this Final Rule does not change the regulatory baseline, HHS/CDC 
expects minimal economic impacts on importers of human remains, 
Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection/
Transportation Security Administration (DHS/CBP, DHS/TSA,), HHS/CDC, 
Department of State (DOS), airline or other industries that facilitate 
the importation of human remains, or state and local public health 
departments (Ph.D.s).
    HHS/CDC regulations are necessary to correct the market failure in 
which human remains are improperly packaged (e.g. contained in garbage 
bags or coolers susceptible of leaking fluid) or that lack proper 
documentation that could pose additional risk to individuals in the 
event of an accidental exposure. These changes should reduce risks of 
exposure for other non-importer stakeholders (e.g., carrier or vessel 
staff, other travelers, TSA or CBP staff who inspect cargo) to 
communicable diseases. The container requirement limits exposures to 
leaking fluids. The documentation requirements ensure that human 
remains that pose a public health risk are accompanied with the proper 
permit documentation under existing 42 CFR 71.54 or, under 42 CFR 
71.55(c)(1)(i) are consigned ``directly'' to a licensed mortuary, 
cemetery, or crematory. If human remains are consigned directly to a 
licensed mortuary, cemetery, or crematory, the human remains will be 
handled by professionals with experience handling human remains. 
Otherwise, the documentation and container requirements would limit 
others' exposures to human remains or may provide additional 
information (via the documentation requirements) on potential public 
health risks in the event of an exposure.
    The requirements specified under 42 CFR 71.55(a) conform with 
existing CDC guidance that human remains should be transported in a 
leak-proof container that is packaged and shipped in accordance with 
all applicable legal requirements. For human remains for which the 
cause of death was a quarantinable communicable disease, HHS/CDC 
requirements will change from the more burdensome hermetically sealed 
casket to the less burdensome leak-proof container. These requirements 
are also consistent with requirements imposed by the four largest U.S. 
carriers in 2019 for transport of human remains (i.e., Delta, American, 
United, and Southwest Airlines). In practice, HHS/CDC is unaware of any 
imported human remains of individuals who died of a quarantinable 
disease in the previous 15 years. HHS/CDC eliminates specific 
requirements under current Sec.  71.55 that human remains of a person 
who died of a quarantinable communicable disease be ``embalmed'' and 
placed into a ``hermetically sealed casket'' because this no longer 
reflects current best practices and would unnecessarily increase the 
burden on importers.
    The requirements under 42 CFR 71.55(b) simply refer to existing 
permit requirements described in 42 CFR 71.54 for all imported human 
remains known to contain or reasonably suspected of containing an 
infectious biological agent. There is no change to 42 CFR 71.54, simply 
clarification in 42 CFR 71.55(b) of when 42 CFR 71.54 should apply to 
transport of human remains. The requirements under 42 CFR 71.55(c) 
clarify the documentation requirements for un-embalmed human remains 
imports that do not need permits according to existing 42 CFR 71.54. 
These documentation requirements are consistent with existing practices 
in the Department of State's Foreign Affairs Manual and consistent with 
other agencies' requirements for transporting human remains to 
facilitate U.S. Customs Clearance.
    DOS works with U.S. residents to process the required documentation 
for importing human remains into the United States for burial, 
entombment, or cremation. Their requirements are

[[Page 42736]]

reported in the current version of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM). In 
7 FAM 252(a)(3), DOS notes that CDC's authority is not limited to 
quarantinable communicable diseases but extends to the importation of 
remains of persons who died of other communicable diseases. 
Specifically, 7 FAM 252(a)(3) states that ``In general, U.S. public 
health requirements will be satisfied if the remains are shipped in a 
leak-proof container and accompanied by the death certificate or the 
consular mortuary certificate, which must state that the deceased did 
not die from a quarantinable communicable disease. A leak-proof 
container is one that is puncture-resistant and sealed in a manner to 
contain all contents and prevent leakage of fluids during handling, 
storage, transport, or shipping. While additional restrictions are not 
generally employed, CDC reserves the right to do so on a case-by-case 
basis when necessary to prevent the spread of disease.''
    This description is consistent with the codification of 
requirements of human remains for the purposes of burial, entombment, 
or cremation under the new 42 CFR 71.55, once effective, as summarized 
above. Because this is a codification of current practice, the economic 
impact on importers of human remains and DOS are expected to be 
minimal. To estimate the cost to DOS to update the FAM to include 
references to 42 CFR 71.55, the cost was estimated by assuming that 1 
GS-14, step 5 employee and one GS-15, step 5 employee each spend 40 
hours (i.e., 80 hours in total) for any updates to cite the language in 
42 CFR 71.55. The hourly wage rates for two employees based in 
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA are $62.23 (GS-14) and 
$73.20 (GS-15).\7\ To account for the non-wage benefits, we multiplied 
the wage cost by two to result in a total cost estimate of $10,834. The 
costs for CBP and CDC are expected to be similar (Table 1), because 
this change is a codification of current practice. Thus, the expected 
one-time costs associated with codification for all three agencies can 
be estimated at $31,906.
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    \7\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Accessed on March 27, 2019.

 Table 1--Summary of the One-Time Costs in 2018 USD To Update Official Documents for Department of State (DOS),
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Costs From the
  Codification in 42 CFR 71.55 of the Requirements Authorized Under Existing 42 CFR 71.32(b), 71.54, and 71.63
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Multiplier for
                                                                    Hourly wage      non-wage
              Agency                       Cost components           rate \8\      benefits and        Total
                                                                                     overhead
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOS...............................  80 hours split between GS-            $67.72               2         $10,834
                                     14, step 5 and GS-15, step
                                     5 levels.
CDC...............................  80 hours split between GS-             63.99               2          10,238
                                     14, step 5 and GS-15, step
                                     5 levels.
CBP...............................  80 hours split between GS-             67.72               2          10,834
                                     14, step 5 and GS-15, step
                                     5 levels.
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.........................  ............................  ..............  ..............          31,906
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Individuals importing human remains for purposes other than burial, 
entombment, or cremation, may be less familiar with CDC requirements 
authorized under existing 42 CFR 71.32(b) and 71.54. As a result, 
importers of human remains for other purposes may not be aware of the 
requirement that human remains must arrive in an appropriate, leak-
proof shipping container as specified under new 42 CFR 71.55(a), once 
effective. In addition, they may not be aware that, unless human 
remains are embalmed and therefore rendered noninfectious, they must be 
accompanied by a death certificate listing cause of death or that if 
the death certificate is incomplete or if cause of death is not listed, 
the human remains must be accompanied by an importer certification 
statement either confirming that the human remains are not known to 
contain or stating why the human remains are not reasonably suspected 
of containing an infectious biological agent as specified under 42 CFR 
71.55(c). In addition, importers would need to apply for a permit under 
existing 42 CFR 71.54 if they are unable to demonstrate that human 
remains are not reasonably suspected of containing an infectious 
biological agent. Upon publishing of this Final Rule, CDC will update 
its website to ensure that importers have access to the most up-to-date 
information regarding packaging and documentation requirements for 
human remains.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Accessed on March 27, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The codification of existing requirements should not result in an 
additional regulatory burden and should help reduce the costs by 
reducing confusion regarding the requirements for importing human 
remains for purposes other than burial, entombment or cremation. 
However, as an upper bound cost estimate, we assumed that one 
additional importer would apply for a permit to import human remains 
every other year after the Final Rule goes into effect. When importers 
first apply for a permit, the greatest expense is associated with the 
need for DSAT to perform an inspection of the importers' facilities and 
to document their findings. This process also requires time for 
importers to support the inspection and respond to questions from DSAT 
subject matter experts. HHS/CDC estimated the amount of time per 
inspection to include about 20 hours of staff time split between the 
GS-12, GS-13, and GS-14 pay levels. To estimate costs, HHS/CDC assumed 
the staff would be compensated at step 5 as summarized in Table 2. In 
addition to hourly wages, non-wage benefits and overhead costs were 
estimated by multiplying the wage cost by two. The average round trip 
airfare for flights from Atlanta was estimated at $367 using data from 
the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.\9\ The average Federal per 
diem for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses was estimated at $158 
per day for one day.\10\ Assuming that inspections occur on average 
(0.5

[[Page 42737]]

times per year, the annual cost would be estimated at $1,518 per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Average Domestic 
Airfares (Atlanta, 2018 Q4). https://transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/. 
Accessed on June 19, 2019.
    \10\ FederalPay.org 2018 Federal Per Diem Rates. (Average of 50 
states). https://www.federalpay.org/perdiem/2018. Accessed on June 
19, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to CDC costs, importers would have to spend time to 
support the inspection and respond to CDC questions. HHS/CDC did not 
receive public comments on the costs to importers to support such 
inspections. HHS/CDC assumed the amount of time required would be 
equivalent to CDC staff time (i.e., about 20 hours) and that the 
individual working on the inspection would be compensated at a rate 
equivalent to the national average wage rate reported for individuals 
working as Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, 
Technical and Scientific Products as reported in the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics' May 2018 National Occupational Employment and Wage 
Estimates (Occupation code = 41-4011).\11\ Their 2018 reported hourly 
wage rate was $44.15. Assuming 0.5 inspections per year and a 
multiplier of 2 to cover non-wage benefits and overhead, the annual 
cost for importers was estimated at $883 per year. In total, the annual 
cost for increased inspections for CDC ($1,518) and importers ($883) 
was estimated at $2,401. This should represent an upper bound estimate 
as HHS/CDC does not anticipate a large increase in inspections as a 
result of this Final Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018 National Occupational 
Employment and Wage Estimates (Occupation code = 41-4011). https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm. Accessed on June 19, 2019.

 Table 2--Estimated Annual CDC Cost in 2018 USD for Inspections of the Facilities for an Importer of Human Remains for Purposes Other Than Final Resting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Number of     Number of hours
                  Type of CDC staff                       Number of      inspections       spent per      Average hourly     Overhead       Annual cost
                                                            staff         per year         inspection     wage rate \12\    multiplier
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GS-12 (step 5).......................................            0.33             0.5                 20          $41.85               2            $276
GS-13 (step 5).......................................            0.33             0.5                 20           49.76               2             328
GS-14 (step 5).......................................            0.33             0.5                 20           58.80               2             388
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................................  ..............  ..............  .................  ..............  ..............             993
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel cost............................  Airfare \13\................             367      Hotel, food, lodging \14\                 158             525
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total (personnel + travel).........  ............................  ..............  .................  ..............  ..............           1,518
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total projected costs over a 10-year time horizon for each 
government agency and for importers can be estimated using a 3% 
discount rate. Table 3 summarizes the present value and annualized 
value of costs over the full 10-year period. In total, the estimated 
cost is $46,977 over 10 years or an annualized value of $5,507 per 
year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Atlanta-Athens-Clarke county-Sandy Springs, GA-AL 
Accessed on June 19, 2019.
    \13\ Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Average Domestic 
Airfares (Atlanta, 2018 Q4). https://transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/. 
Accessed on June 19, 2019.
    \14\ FederalPay.org 2018 Federal Per Diem Rates. (Average of 50 
states). https://www.federalpay.org/perdiem/2018. Accessed on June 
19, 2019.

Table 3--Present Value and Annualized Value of Costs in 2018 USD Over 10
Years Using a 3% Discount Rate for Government Agencies and for Importers
         of Human Remains for Purposes Other Than Final Resting
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Net present cost   Annualized cost
                                       over 10-year       over 10-year
                                         horizon            horizon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDC...............................            $18,408             $2,158
CBP...............................             10,518              1,233
DoS...............................             10,518              1,233
Importers of human remains for                  7,532                883
 other purposes...................
                                   -------------------------------------
    Total.........................             46,977              5,507
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the past, imported human remains for reasons other than burial, 
entombment or cremation have arrived in inappropriate (i.e., not leak-
proof) containers or without sufficient documentation to determine 
whether such remains may contain or be reasonably suspected of 
containing an infectious biological agent. This has led to confusion at 
the port of entry and detention of the human remains pending an 
investigation. CDC reviewed available importation records and 
identified six human remains shipments that required repackaging over 
the 5-year period from 2014 to 2018. Of the six shipments, four 
occurred between November 2017 and the end of 2018. These 
investigations required significant effort to resolve. CDC involvement 
usually includes scientific, legal, policy, and leadership staff from 
CDC/DGMQ and CDC/DSAT. In each of these cases, CDC determined that a 
permit issued according to existing 42 CFR 71.54 would be required when 
human remains are reasonably suspected of containing an infectious 
biological agent if they are without adequate shipping containers or 
proper documentation, unless they are cremated, embalmed, or otherwise 
rendered noninfectious per the definition of ``human remains.''
    Although the amount of time per investigation event varies, on 
average, each importation investigation was

[[Page 42738]]

estimated to require approximately 600 hours of CDC staff time split 
between the GS-13, GS-14, and GS-15 levels. The time spent included 
conference calls with the importer and CBP, legal review, permit 
issuance under 42 CFR 71.54, if applicable, among other activities 
(Table 4). The 2018 reported hourly wage rates for GS-13, GS-14, and 
GS-15 employees at step 5 are $49.76, $58.80, and $69.17 per hour 
respectively in the Atlanta, GA area.\15\ If this amount of time is 
split evenly across each level, the estimated cost per investigation 
would be $35,546. This amount can then be multiplied by 2 to account 
for non-wage benefits and overhead to estimate a total cost of $71,092 
per investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Accessed on March 27, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to CDC costs, CBP also incurs costs to deal with each 
investigation including time spent communicating with CDC. The amount 
of time spent by CBP is also significant and conservatively estimated 
at 50% of the time spent by CDC staff. The estimated hourly wage rate 
for CBP officers was estimated by assuming that the workload would be 
split evenly across employees at the GS-5, GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12 
levels with support from GS-15 managers providing additional 
coordination with CDC senior staff. Thus, compensation was split evenly 
across grades and each grade was assumed to be compensated at the step 
5 level using the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington hourly pay scale (on 
average, $41.02 per hour).\16\ This would result in a wage cost of 
$12,306. After multiplying wages by 2 to account for non-wage benefits 
and overtime, the estimated CBP cost would be $24,614. Adding the CBP 
and CDC costs, the total cost per investigation event would be $71,092 
+ $24,614 = $95,706.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Accessed on March 27, 2019.

Table 4--Benefits (Averted Costs) per Event in 2018 USD in Which Human Remains Without Adequate Documentation or
  Shipping Containers Are Imported for Purposes Other Than Burial, Entombment, or Cremation and Are Held at the
                                     Port of Entry Pending an Investigation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Multiplier for
                                                                    Hourly wage      non-wage
              Agency                       Cost components           rate \17\     benefits and        Total
                                                                                     overhead
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDC...............................  600 hours split between GS-           $59.24               2         $71,092
                                     13, step 5; GS-14, step 5;
                                     and GS-15, step 5 levels.
CBP...............................  300 hours at the GS-5, GS-9,           41.02               2          24,614
                                     GS-11, GS-12, and GS-15,
                                     step 5 level.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.........................  ............................  ..............  ..............          95,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to costs to CDC and CBP, importers of human remains for 
purposes other than final resting might not use leak-proof containers 
or fail to provide import permits or importer certification 
statement(s). When this occurs, importers spend a considerable amount 
of time communicating with CDC and CBP about missing documentation, 
searching for missing documentation after those human remains arrive at 
ports of entry, or repackaging shipments at the importer's expense. 
This codification of requirements authorized under 42 CFR 71.32(b), 
71.54, and 71.55 pertaining to the importation of human remains should 
reduce confusion. Besides the time spent on searching for documentation 
and the cost of repackaging, the human remains may begin to decompose 
during the investigation process, which would affect the value of 
imports that may otherwise be used for purposes other than final 
resting. HHS/CDC does not have any way to estimate time for repackaging 
costs or decomposition costs, and did not receive any public comments 
on these costs. By reducing confusion, some of these costs may be 
averted when 42 CFR 71.55 goes into effect. On the other hand, 
codification of these requirements may increase the costs of human 
remains for purposes other than burial, entombment, or cremation if 
such importations are currently occurring without CBP or CDC oversight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ U.S. Office of Personnel and Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2018/general-schedule/. Accessed on March 27, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The one-time costs of updating communications materials and the 
costs for an additional 0.5 importers per year to undergo an inspection 
to verify their ability to safely import human remains for purposes 
other than final resting was estimated to cost $46,977 over 10 years 
(annualized cost: $5,507). These costs can be compared to the benefits 
(averted costs per investigation after human remains are held at the 
port of entry because they arrived in a container that was not leak-
proof or with improper documentation ($95,706)). During calendar years 
2014-2018, there were seven time-intensive investigations for an 
average 1.4 investigations per year. Among these events, one shipment 
of human remains was re-exported. The remaining six shipments all 
required repackaging and were held by CBP for between 2 days and 22 
days (average hold: 11.3 days). Of the seven total investigations, six 
involved human remains imported for purposes other than final resting. 
One of these shipments was re-exported and the other five shipments of 
human remains were cremated after being held by CBP. Four of the seven 
investigations occurred in 2018, demonstrating an increasing trend in 
improperly imported human remains.
    A comparison can be made between the estimated costs and potential 
benefits (i.e., averted federal government costs for an investigation). 
This comparison suggests that even if only one held importation 
requiring investigation will be averted in the 10 years after the 
codification goes into effect, the expected benefits (averted costs) 
would exceed expected costs assuming a discount rate of 3% per year. To 
the extent that this Final Rule would increase the number of 
inspections by DSAT, the need to conduct investigations should decrease 
proportionately. This is because it is assumed that the need for 
investigations results from lack of awareness of importation 
requirements for human remains for purposes other than final resting as 
authorized under existing 42 CFR 71.32(b), 71.54 and 71.55. However, 
the inspection process itself should allow importers to fully

[[Page 42739]]

understand their import requirements in regard to shipping containers, 
documentation, or permits.
    In addition to the reduced costs associated with imported human 
remains for purposes other than burial, entombment, or cremation 
arriving with inadequate documentation or shipping containers, there 
may be additional savings for the small numbers of human remains that 
arrive with insufficient documentation for burial, entombment, or 
cremation. During calendar years 2014 through 2018, CDC requested 
additional documentation from seven importers of human remains for 
burial, entombment or cremation (average 1.4 events per year) and 9 
importers of human remains for purposes other than final resting (1.8 
events per year). In contrast to the time-intensive investigation 
events described above, these events were usually resolved quickly 
because death certificates listing cause of death or importer 
certification statements either confirming that the human remains were 
not known to contain or stating why the human remains were not 
reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent were 
provided relatively quickly. However, delays still incur some 
additional time costs that may be averted if the requirements codified 
in 42 CFR 71.55 are better understood.
    Finally, the language in 42 CFR 71.55(d) indicating that 42 CFR 
71.63 may apply to imported human remains, if the Director designates a 
foreign country and determines that such an action is necessary to 
protect the public health, is cross-referencing an the existing 
requirement in 42 CFR 71.63. Since its enactment, CDC has applied 42 
CFR 71.63 one time, on May 10, 2019, to suspend entry of dogs from 
Egypt after three dogs with canine rabies virus variant were imported 
into the United States within four years.\18\ However, the suspension 
has not been in place long enough to do a full economic analysis and a 
suspension of imports for dogs may not be analogous to a suspension of 
imports for human remains in terms of economic impact.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ CDC (May 10, 2019) Notice of Temporary Suspension of Dogs 
Entering the United States From Egypt. 84 FR 20628. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/05/10/2019-09654/notice-of-temporary-suspension-of-dogs-entering-the-united-states-from-egypt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Executive Order 13771

    Executive Order 13771 ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs,'' requires executive departments and agencies to 
eliminate at least two existing regulations for every new significant 
regulation that imposes costs. HHS/CDC has determined that this rule 
imposes no more than de minimis costs, and therefore not considered a 
regulatory action.

C. The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    HHS/CDC has analyzed the impacts of the Final Rule under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612). Unless we certify that 
the Final Rule is not expected to have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act (SBREFA), requires agencies to analyze regulatory options that 
would minimize any significant economic impact of a rule on small 
entities. Based on our analysis as described above, we certify that 
this Final Rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the RFA.
    This regulatory action is not a major rule as defined by section 
804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. 
This Final Rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of 
$100,000,000 or more; a major increase in cost or prices; or 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based 
companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and 
export markets.

D. The Paperwork Reduction Act

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information 
collection requests titled Foreign Quarantine Regulations (42 CFR part 
71) (OMB Control No. 0920-0134) and 0920-0199 Application for Permit to 
Import Biological Agents and Vectors of Human Disease into the United 
States and Application for Permit to Import or Transport Live Bats (42 
CFR 71.54) (expiration date 04/30/2021) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking on November 25, 2019 to obtain comments from the 
public and affected agencies. CDC received no comments related to the 
previous document. This document 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 document 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 final rule publication.
    HHS/CDC currently has approval to collect certain information 
concerning the importation of dead bodies under two OMB Control 
Numbers: 0920-0134 Foreign Quarantine Regulations (expiration date 03/
31/2022) and 0920-0199 Application for Permit to Import Biological 
Agents and Vectors of Human Disease into the United States and 
Application for Permit to Import or Transport Live Bats (42 CFR 71.54) 
(expiration date 04/30/2021). This Final Rule is updating one 
information collection: 0920-0134. CDC invited public comment on the 
burden to the public outlined in the NPRM and did not receive any 
comments.
Information Collections
    (1) Foreign Quarantine Regulations (42 CFR part 71) (OMB Control 
No. 0920-0134)--Nonmaterial/non-substantive change--National Center for 
Emerging, and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Description
    Section 361 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 264) 
authorizes the Secretary of Health and

[[Page 42740]]

Human Services to make and enforce regulations necessary to prevent the 
introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases from 
foreign countries into the United States. Legislation and existing 
regulations governing foreign and interstate quarantine activities (42 
CFR parts 70 and 71) authorize CDC quarantine officers and customs 
personnel to inspect and undertake necessary control measures in order 
to protect the public's health. Other inspection agencies assist 
quarantine officers in public health risk assessment and management of 
persons, animals, and other importations of public health importance, 
including human remains. Human remains may harbor communicable 
diseases, and if not packaged and processed according to accepted 
standards, may represent a risk to handlers and the receiving 
community.
    Requiring a death certificate that states the cause of death (or a 
specified alternative document) and requiring appropriate packaging of 
human remains mitigates the introduction and spread of communicable 
diseases into the United States with a minimum of recordkeeping and 
reporting as well as a minimum of interference with trade and travel. 
The death certificate will only be required for those seeking to import 
human remains that have not been embalmed or otherwise rendered 
noninfectious.
     At present, HHS/CDC has approval from OMB to collect 
certain information and impose recordkeeping requirements related to 
foreign quarantine responsibilities under OMB Control Number 0920-0134 
(expiration 03/31/2022). HHS/CDC is proposing a non-substantive/
nonmaterial change to:
     42 CFR 71.55 Dead Bodies, 42 CFR 71.32(b)--Death 
certificates (No Form)
     42 CFR 71.32 Statements or documentation of non-
infectiousness (No Form)
    Description of Respondents. Respondents to this data collection are 
individuals seeking to import human remains into the United States.
    There is no burden to respondents other than the time taken to 
acquire a death certificate for the human remains being imported to the 
United States or to produce documentation stating that the human 
remains have been embalmed or otherwise rendered non-infectious. 
However, death certificates and embalming documentation are routinely 
produced by mortuary providers or hospitals after a death. DOS also 
provides a consular mortuary certificate that also commonly states the 
cause of death for an individual who dies abroad or, if the cause of 
death is not known, can reference whether the person died of a 
communicable disease. HHS/CDC does not anticipate significant 
additional administrative burden in acquiring these documents.
    With data provided by CBP, CDC is updating the estimate of the 
number of imports of human remains that will require a death 
certificate from 20 to 150, and increasing by 1850 the estimate of the 
number of human remains that will require some statement or 
documentation of non-infectiousness. CDC believes this is a more 
accurate estimate of the volume of imported human remains imported into 
the United States, and not an increase in respondent burden. As stated 
above, both of these documents are routinely provided by mortuary 
services and do not represent an increase in respondent burden 
specifically for this rulemaking.
    Additionally, as this Final Rule clarifies the requirements for 
importing human remains, HHS/CDC is also renaming the provision. The 
associated information collections will clearly reference the title:
     42 CFR 71.55 Importation of Human Remains--Death 
Certificate (No Form).
     42 CFR 71.32, 71.55 Statements or documentation of non-
infectiousness (No Form).
    Table 5 below presents the estimate of annual burden (in hours) 
associated with the reporting requirement under this OMB control 
number, accounting for the rule changes.

                              Table 5--Estimated Annual Reporting Burden 0920-0134
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Regulatory                        Number of    Average burden
      Type of respondent          provision or       Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                    form name       respondents     respondent      (in hours)         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Importers.....................  42 CFR 71.55                 150               1               1             150
                                 Importation of
                                 Human Remains--
                                 Death
                                 Certificate (No
                                 Form).
Importer......................  42 CFR 71.32,               3850               1            5/60             321
                                 71.55
                                 Statements or
                                 documentation
                                 of non-
                                 infectiousness
                                 (No Form).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The estimates are based on experience to date with current 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements of 42 CFR 71.55 Dead Bodies--
Death Certificate (No Form) and 42 CFR 71.32 Statements or 
documentation of non-infectiousness, are based on discussion with 
partners at DOS and DHS.
    (2) Application for Permit to Import Biological Agents and Vectors 
of Human Disease into the United States and Application for Permit to 
Import or Transport Live Bats (42 CFR 71.54) (OMB Control No. 0920-
0199) No Change Requested-Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
    CDC/DSAT administers OMB Control No. 0920-0199 and did not make any 
changes in information collection. Due to DSAT's experience with 
issuing CDC import permits, DSAT does not expect any additional burden 
from respondents because respondents understand that any material 
including human remains that is reasonably suspected of containing an 
infectious biological agent requires submission of an application for 
CDC import permit.
    On an annual basis, DSAT usually receives approximately 3 
applications for importing human remains that are known to contain or 
reasonably suspected of containing an infectious biological agent. DSAT 
performs inspection of these requests to ensure that the facility has 
the appropriate biosafety conditions to receive these materials. DSAT 
plans to use current resources for processing any applications received 
for importing human remains that are known to contain or reasonably 
suspected of containing an infectious biological agent.

E. Executive Order 12866

    This rule is not being treated as a significant regulatory action 
as defined by Executive Order 12866. As such, it

[[Page 42741]]

has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

F. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    HHS/CDC has determined that the amendments to 42 CFR part 71 will 
not have a significant impact on the human environment.

G. Executive Order 12988: Civil Justice Reform

    HHS/CDC has reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12988 on Civil 
Justice Reform and determines that this Final Rule meets the standard 
in the Executive Order.

H. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Under Executive Order 13132, a Federalism analysis is required if a 
rulemaking has Federalism implications, would limit or preempt State or 
local law, or impose substantial direct compliance costs on State or 
local governments. Under such circumstances, a Federal agency must 
consult with State and local officials. Federalism implications is 
defined as having substantial direct effects on State or local 
governments, on the relationship between the national government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government. Under 42 U.S.C. 264(e), Federal 
public health regulations promulgated under that section do not preempt 
State or local public health regulations, except in the event of a 
conflict with the exercise of Federal authority. Other than to restate 
this statutory provision, this rulemaking does not alter the 
relationship between the Federal Government and State/local governments 
as set forth in 42 U.S.C. 264. There are no provisions in these 
regulations that impose direct compliance costs on State and local 
governments. Therefore, HHS/CDC believes that the rule does not warrant 
additional consultation under Executive Order 13132.

I. The Plain Language Act of 2010

    Under the Plain Language Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274, October 13, 
2010), Executive Departments and Agencies are required to use plain 
language in all proposed and Final Rules. Prior to publication, this 
Final Rule was reviewed by specialists in health communication and 
education to ensure the content and intention, as well as substance, 
were clear and accurate. HHS/CDC did not receive any public comment 
concerning plain language.

List of Subjects in 42 CFR Part 71

    Burial, communicable diseases, cremation, death certificate, 
entombment, human remains, importer, infectious biological agent, leak-
proof container, public health, quarantinable communicable diseases.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we amend 42 CFR part 71 
as follows:

PART 71--FOREIGN QUARANTINE

0
1. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Secs. 215 and 311 of the Public Health Service (PHS) 
Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 216, 243); secs. 361-369, PHS Act, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 264-272).

0
2. Amend Sec.  71.50, paragraph (b), by adding in alphabetical order 
definitions for ``Death certificate'', ''Human remains'', ``Importer'', 
and ``Leak-proof container'' to read as follows:


Sec.  71.50  Scope and definitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    Death certificate means an official government document that 
certifies that a death has occurred and provides identifying 
information about the deceased, including (at a minimum) name, age, and 
sex. The document must also certify the time, place, and cause of death 
(if known). If the official government document is not written in 
English, then it must be accompanied by an English language translation 
of the official government document, the authenticity of which has been 
attested to by a person licensed to perform acts in legal affairs in 
the country where the death occurred. In lieu of a death certificate, a 
copy of the Consular Mortuary Certificate and the Affidavit of Foreign 
Funeral Director and Transit Permit, shall together constitute 
acceptable identification of human remains.
* * * * *
    Human remains means a deceased human body or any portion of a 
deceased human body, except:
    (i) Clean, dry bones or bone fragments; human hair; teeth; 
fingernails or toenails; or
    (ii) A deceased human body and portions thereof that have already 
been fully cremated prior to import; or
    (iii) Human cells, tissues or cellular or tissue-based products 
intended for implantation, transplantation, infusion, or transfer into 
a human recipient.
    Importer means any person importing or attempting to import an item 
regulated under this subpart.
* * * * *
    Leak-proof container means a container that is puncture-resistant 
and sealed in such a manner as to contain all contents and prevent 
leakage of fluids during handling, storage, transport, or shipping, 
such as
    (i) A double-layered plastic, puncture-resistant body bag (i.e., 
two sealed body bags, one inside the other);
    (ii) A casket with an interior lining certified by the manufacturer 
to be leak-proof and puncture-resistant; or
    (iii) A sealed metal body-transfer case.
* * * * *

0
3. Revise Sec.  71.55 to read as follows:


Sec.  71.55  Importation of human remains.

    (a) Human remains imported into the United States, or in transit 
within the United States and not intended for import, must be fully 
contained within a leak-proof container that is packaged and shipped in 
accordance with all applicable legal requirements.
    (b) The provisions of 42 CFR 71.54 shall apply to all imported 
human remains known to contain or reasonably suspected of containing an 
infectious biological agent.
    (c) Unless accompanied by a permit issued under 42 CFR 71.54, human 
remains imported into the United States must meet one of the following 
requirements:
    (1) Human remains imported for burial, entombment, or cremation 
must:
    (i) Be consigned directly to a licensed mortuary, cemetery, or 
crematory for immediate and final preparation prior to burial, 
entombment, or cremation; and
    (ii) Unless embalmed, be accompanied by a death certificate or, if 
the death certificate is incomplete or missing, an importer 
certification statement confirming that the human remains are not known 
to contain or stating why the human remains are not reasonably 
suspected of containing an infectious biological agent.
    (2) Human remains imported for medical examination or autopsy must:
    (i) Be consigned directly to an entity authorized to perform such 
functions under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction prior to 
subsequent burial, entombment, or cremation; and
    (ii) Unless embalmed, be accompanied by a death certificate or, if 
the death certificate is incomplete or missing, an importer 
certification statement confirming that the human remains are not known 
to contain or stating why the human remains are not reasonably 
suspected of containing an infectious biological agent.
    (3) Human remains imported for any other purpose, unless embalmed, 
must be accompanied by an importer

[[Page 42742]]

certification statement confirming that the human remains are not known 
to contain or stating why the human remains are not reasonably 
suspected of containing an infectious biological agent.
    (d) The Director may suspend the importation of human remains under 
42 CFR 71.63 if the Director designates the foreign country and 
determines that such an action is necessary to protect the public 
health.

    Dated: June 3, 2020.
Alex M. Azar II,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-12931 Filed 7-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P