[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72900-72901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20046]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Authorization for Release of Medical Information for Black Lung 
Benefits (CM-936)

AGENCY: Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs.

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, ``Authorization for 
Release of Medical Information for Black Lung Benefits (CM-936)''. 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 
November 5, 2024.

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: 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.
    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 March 31, 2025.
    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 1240-0034.
    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

[[Page 72901]]

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, DCMWC.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title of Collection: Authorization for Release of Medical 
Information for Black Lung Benefits.
    Form: CM-936, Authorization for Release of Medical Information for 
Black Lung Benefits.
    OMB Control Number: 1240-0034.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for 
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,990.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 5,990.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,995 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Anjanette Suggs,
Agency Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-20046 Filed 9-5-24; 8:45 am]
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