[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44327-44328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15833]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Workers' Compensation Programs


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Rehabilitation Plan and Award (OWCP-16)

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the 
information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Rehabilitation Plan and 
Award'' (OWCP-16). 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).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
September 21, 2020.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Anjanette Suggs by telephone at 202-354-9660 or by email at 
[email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs, Room S3323, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20210; by email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjanette Suggs by telephone at 202-
354-9660 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the OMB for final approval. This 
program helps to ensure 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 can be properly assessed.
    Background: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is 
the agency responsible for administration of the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) and the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act (FECA). 33 U.S.C. 939 (LHWCA) and 5 U.S.C. 8104 and 
8111 (FECA) authorize OWCP to pay for approved vocational 
rehabilitation services to eligible workers with work-related 
disabilities. In order to decide whether to approve a rehabilitation 
plan, OWCP must receive a copy of the plan, supporting vocational 
testing materials and the estimated cost to implement the plan, broken 
down to show the fees, supplies, tuition and worker maintenance 
payments that are contemplated. OWCP also must receive the signature of 
the rehabilitation counselor to show that the proposed plan is 
appropriate. Form OWCP-16 is the standard format for the collection of 
this information. The regulations implementing these statutes allow for 
the collection of information needed for OWCP to determine if a 
rehabilitation plan should be approved and payment of any related 
expenses should be authorized. This information collection is currently 
approved for use through December 31, 2020.
    DOL authorizes this information collection. This information 
collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot 
conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is 
generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless 
the OMB under the PRA approves it and displays a currently valid OMB 
Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of 
law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Written comments will receive 
consideration, and summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB# 1240-0045.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The DOL is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

[[Page 44328]]

    Type of Review: Extension to a currently approved collection.
    Title of Collection: Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
    Agency Form Number: OWCP-16.
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0045.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; businesses or other 
for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3176.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 3176.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1588.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)

Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office if Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2020-15833 Filed 7-21-20; 8:45 am]
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