[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37281-37282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12198]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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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. 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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``BLS Data Sharing 
Program.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section of this notice on or before August 7, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, Division 
of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room G225, 2 
Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20212. Written comments also 
may be transmitted by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Good, BLS Clearance Officer, at 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number). (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    An important aspect of the mission of the BLS is to disseminate to 
the public the maximum amount of information possible. Not all data are 
publicly available because of the importance of maintaining the 
confidentiality of BLS data. However, the BLS has opportunities 
available on a limited basis for eligible researchers to access 
confidential data for purposes of conducting valid statistical analyses 
that further the mission of the BLS as permitted in the Confidential 
Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA).
    The BLS makes confidential data available to eligible researchers 
through three major programs:
    1. The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY) is designed to 
document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. The 
NLSY collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior 
and educational experiences over time. The NLSY includes three 
different cohorts: the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 
(NLSY79), the NLSY79 Young Adult Survey, and the National Longitudinal 
Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). NLSY data beyond the public use data are 
made available in greater detail through an offsite program to eligible 
researchers.
    2. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), as part of the 
BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count 
of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. 
Multiple sources are used in order to provide as complete and accurate 
information concerning workplace fatalities as possible. A research 
file containing CFOI data is made available offsite to eligible 
researchers.
    3. Additionally, the BLS makes available data from several 
employment, prices, compensation, and working conditions surveys to 
eligible researchers for onsite use. Eligible visiting researchers can 
access these data in researcher rooms at the BLS national office in 
Washington, DC or at a Federal Statistical Research Data Center 
(FSRDC).

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for a 
revision of the BLS Data Sharing Program. In order to provide access to 
confidential data under CIPSEA, the BLS must enter into legal 
agreements with approved researchers' institutions. This information 
collection allows the BLS to obtain the necessary details for those 
legal agreements which are not captured through the Standard 
Application Process (SAP).
    An Emergency OMB Clearance Package 1220-0199 approved collection of 
an additional Special Agreement Check Information Form for 180 days. 
This form is used to fulfill a Department of Labor (DOL) security 
requirement that all visitors require a minimal background check to 
access Federal facilities. Continued collection of this information is 
essential to granting approved researchers access to restricted data at 
the BLS National Office. Package 1220-0199 expires on December 31, 
2023, after which time the form will be covered under this package 
1220-0180.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics 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

[[Page 37282]]

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.
     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.
    Title of Collection: BLS Data Sharing Program.
    OMB Number: 1220-0180.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Affected Public: Individuals.

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                                                                                   Average time      Estimated
             Form                    Total          Frequency          Total       per response    total burden
                                  respondents                        responses       (minutes)         hours
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NLSY..........................              95  Once (on                      95              15           23.75
                                                 occasion).
CFOI..........................               3  Once (on                       3              15            0.75
                                                 occasion).
FSRDC Researcher..............              10  Once (on                      10              15             2.5
                                                 occasion).
Onsite Researcher.............              20  Once (on                      20              25            8.33
                                                 occasion).
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    Totals....................             128  ................             128  ..............           35.33
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    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 also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on June 2, 2023.
Leslie A. Bennett,
Chief, Division of Management Systems.
[FR Doc. 2023-12198 Filed 6-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P