[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4842-4843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01417]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Extension From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service 
Physical and Mental Health Certification

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-Day notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0043, 
abstracted below, that we will submit to OMB for an extension in 
compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The 
collection involves forms that applicants and incumbents are required 
to complete, regarding their physical and mental health history, for 
the position of Federal Air Marshal (FAM).

DATES: Send your comments by March 27, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 6595 Springfield Center Drive, 
Springfield, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control

[[Page 4843]]

number. The ICR documentation will be available at https://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB. Therefore, in preparation 
for OMB review and approval of the following information collection, 
TSA is soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control Number 1652-0043; Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 
Service Physical and Mental Health Certification. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 
44917, TSA has authority to deploy Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) on 
passenger flights and to provide appropriate training, supervision, and 
equipment of FAMs. Pursuant to this authority, TSA requires that 
applicants/incumbents for FAM positions meet certain physical and 
mental health standards.
    TSA has established medical guidelines designed to ensure FAMs can 
safely and effectively perform the tasks essential to the arduous, 
rigorous, and hazardous functions of the FAM position. The medical 
guidelines ensure a level of health status and physical and 
psychological fitness for this public safety law enforcement position 
which requires a high degree of responsibility. Medical guidelines are 
based on cognitive, physical, psychomotor, and psychological abilities 
related to the essential job functions of a FAM.
    TSA uses a Practical Exercise Performance Requirements (PEPR) form, 
and a Treating Physician Status Report (TPSR) form to assist in the 
determination of physical health standards. These forms may be in 
conjunction with further evaluation requests as needed. Physical 
medical examinations include, but are not limited to, cardiac, 
pulmonary, audiometric, and visual acuity testing. Incumbent FAMs 
undergo medical examinations every other year until the age 45, and 
annually thereafter, while in a FAM position. Based on conditions 
identified during the pre-employment or recurrent periodic examination, 
the applicant/incumbent employee may be required to provide a completed 
PEPR form, or TPSR form, signed by a healthcare provider in order to 
determine if the FAM is medically qualified.
    TSA uses a Mental Health Certification (MHC) form to facilitate the 
determination of applicants' ability to meet established mental health 
standards and safely and effectively perform the essential functions of 
the public safety law enforcement position. As part of the 
psychological assessment, applicants are required to complete the MHC 
form related to their mental health history. Applicants are asked 
questions that may be indicative of mental health conditions that may 
impact the ability to safely and effectively perform the essential 
functions of the position. All forms submitted by applicants and 
incumbents are sent directly to the Federal Air Marshal Service Medical 
Programs Section for initial screening via fax, mail, or in person. 
Individual responses may require further medical evaluation.
    TSA estimates that the total annual burden for this collection is 
approximately 225 hours and the total annual respondents is 200. TSA 
estimates 100 health care providers will complete the PEPR forms for 50 
applicants and 50 incumbent FAMs and complete the TPSR forms for 50 
applicants and 50 incumbent FAMs, totaling 200 forms. TSA estimates it 
will take approximately 15 minutes (0.25 hours) for the healthcare 
provider to complete each of the 200 forms, for an annual hour burden 
of 50 hours. In addition, TSA estimates that the average round-trip 
travel time for the applicant's visit to the healthcare provider is 
approximately 1 hour, and the time waiting for the healthcare provider 
to complete the form is 0.05 hours for an annual hour burden of 75 
hours. Finally, TSA assesses that 100 applicants must self-certify 
certain information regarding their mental health, using the MHC form. 
TSA estimates it will take 1 hour to complete the MHC form for an 
annual hour burden of 100 hours.

    Dated: January 19, 2023.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2023-01417 Filed 1-24-23; 8:45 am]
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