[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 174 (Monday, September 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 50909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19619]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95). This program helps to ensure that requested data 
can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and 
financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly 
understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents 
can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed 
collection: Authorization for Release of Medical Information (CM-936). 
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained 
by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this 
Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before November 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by 
hand to Ms. Anjanette Suggs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax (202) 354-9660; or 
by Email to [email protected]. Please use only one method of 
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax, or Email). Please note 
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be 
considered.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

 I. Background

    The Black Lung Benefits Act, as amended, 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and 
20 CFR 725.405 require that all relevant medical evidence be considered 
before a decision can be made regarding a claimant's eligibility for 
benefits. By signing the CM-936 form, the claimant authorizes 
physicians, hospitals, medical facilities or organizations, and the 
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to release 
medical information about the miner to the Department of Labor's Office 
of Workers' Compensation Programs. The form contains information 
required by medical institutions and private physicians to enable them 
to release pertinent medical information. This information collection 
is currently approved for use through February 28, 2022.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    * 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 
submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks approval for the extension of this 
currently-approved information collection in order to obtain claimant 
consent for the release of medical information for consideration by the 
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs in their claim for benefits. 
Failure to gather this information would inhibit the adjudication of 
black lung claims because pertinent medical data would not be available 
for consideration during the processing of the claim.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Title: Authorization for Release of Medical Information.
    OMB Number: 1240-0034.
    Agency Number: CM-936.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents: 5,000.
    Total Annual Responses: 5,000.
    Average Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 417 hours.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $5,300.00.
    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.

Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2021-19619 Filed 9-10-21; 8:45 am]
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