[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59941-59942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18668]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Worker's Compensation Programs

[OMB Control No. 1240-0045]


Proposed Extension of Information Collection; Rehabilitation Plan 
and Award, (OWCP-16)

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation, Division of Federal Employees' 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, (OWCP/DFELHWC), Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
request for comment to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed collections of information 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request 
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, OWCP/DFELHWC is soliciting comments on the information 
collection for Rehabilitation Plan and Award, (OWCP-16).

DATES: All comments must be received on or before October 30, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comment as follows. Please note that late, 
untimely filed comments will not be considered.
    Written/Paper Submissions: Submit written/paper submissions in the 
following way:
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Mail or visit DOL-OWCP/DFELHWC, Office 
of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of Federal Employees' 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, U.S. Department of

[[Page 59942]]

Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210.
     Electronic submission: You may submit comments and 
attachments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anjanette Suggs, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs, Division of Federal Employees Longshore, and 
Harbor Workers' Compensation, OWCP/DFELHWC, at [email protected] 
(email); (202) 354-9660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. 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) 
authorizes 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 signatures of the worker and the rehabilitation 
counselor to show that the worker agrees to follow the proposed plan, 
and 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. 
(LHWCA, 702.506 and 702.507, (FECA, 20 CFR 10.518, 10.519)

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    OWCP is soliciting comments concerning the proposed information 
collection (ICR) titled, ``Rehabilitation Plan and Award'', OWCP-16. 
OWCP/DFELHWC is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information has practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of OWCP/DFELHWC's estimate of the 
burden related to the information collection, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used in the estimate;
     Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the information collection 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.
    Background documents related to this information collection request 
are available at https://regulations.gov and at DOL-OWCP/DFELHWC 
located at 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 
20210. Questions about the information collection requirements may be 
directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of 
this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This information collection request concerns the Rehabilitation 
Plan and Award, OWCP-16. OWCP/DFELHWC has updated the data with respect 
to the number of respondents, responses, burden hours, and burden costs 
supporting this information collection request from the previous 
information collection request.
    Type of Review: Extension, without change, of a currently approved 
collection.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Division of 
Federal Employees' Longshore, and Harbor Workers' Compensation, OWCP/
DFELHWC.
    OMB Number: 1240-0045.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions, Businesses or other 
for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 3,413.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Number of Responses: 3,413.
    Annual Burden Hours: 1,707 hours.
    Total Respondent or Recordkeeper Cost: $0.
    OWCP Form 16, Rehabilitation Plan and Award.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized in 
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the 
proposed information collection request; they will become a matter of 
public record and will be available at https://www.reginfo.gov.

Anjanette Suggs,
Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-18668 Filed 8-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CH-P