### 6171 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2013 / Notices

2 The ODAR Regional Office or DQS will notify the ALJ pursuant to our contractual obligations. Our current contract governing notification with the Association of Administrative Law Judges, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL–CIO became effective on August 31, 2001.

The Division of Quality Service (or its designee) will review all complaints that it receives. A review includes an audit of the hearing recording if available, and an examination of the complaint, the hearing decision, and any other relevant documentation. If the Division of Quality Service’s review indicates an investigation is unnecessary, we will close out the complaint and forward it to the appropriate ODAR Regional Office. 2 If the Division of Quality Service determines that an investigation is necessary, the Division of Quality Service will forward the complaint to the appropriate Regional Chief Administrative Law Judge (RCALJ). At the beginning of the investigation, the RCALJ (or his or her designee) will notify the ALJ, give him or her a copy of the complaint, and provide him or her with an opportunity to respond to the complaint. In addition to auditing the hearing recording and examining the complaint, the hearing decision, and any other relevant documentation, an investigation may include contacting any witnesses who have information related to the complaint. Following the investigation, the appropriate RCALJ will prepare a report for the Division of Quality Service’s review containing findings and recommending any necessary action regarding the ALJ. Such action could include counseling, training, mentoring, or disciplinary action. Once a review or investigation is complete, we will notify the complainant that we processed the complaint. However, we will also explain that the Privacy Act prevents us from disclosing whether there was an investigation and whether we took any action against the ALJ who is the subject of the complaint.

The Division of Quality Service will use the same process described above to review or investigate complaints alleging ‘‘general bias’’ as well as those alleging a pattern of ALJ bias or misconduct against a group of claimants, or a particular category of claimants. In addition, the Division of Quality Service will monitor individual complaints that it receives to identify any patterns of alleged ALJ bias or misconduct against a group of claimants, or a particular category of claimants, for further investigation. If we substantiate these complaints, we will take appropriate action as described in this Ruling.

We may also find after a review or investigation the complaint is unsubstantiated, and we will take no action with respect to the ALJ. Our findings or actions in the Division of Quality Service ALJ complaint investigation process do not constitute findings on a claim for benefits under the Social Security Act. Rather, they represent an action committed to agency discretion by law and are not subject to judicial review. Investigation of Allegations of Discrimination Under Our Civil Rights Complaint Process

A person who was a party to a hearing may file a discrimination complaint with us alleging discrimination in our hearing process based on race, color, national origin (including English language ability), religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or in retaliation for having previously filed a civil rights complaint. Currently, our Office of the General Counsel has the responsibility to investigate and decide complaints that individuals file under this process. A person who was a party to a hearing may file a discrimination complaint under our civil rights investigation process in addition to filing a request for Appeals Council review or filing a complaint with the Division of Quality Service.

An individual may file a discrimination complaint alleging discrimination by an ALJ by using Form SSA–437–BK (available at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa437.pdf ); however, an individual is not required to use this form and may make a complaint with a letter that contains the same information. The discrimination complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action unless we find there is good cause for late filing. Form SSA–437–BK provides:

‘‘If you disagree with a decision that was made on a claim you filed for benefits, you
must appeal that decision according to the procedure described in the notice of appeal rights that accompanied the decision. If you believe the decision was based on discrimination, you may file a complaint of discrimination using this form, but even if we find that you were discriminated against, that would not mean that the decision on your claim for benefits would change. A decision can still be a correct application of the law even if the decision-maker was biased. The only way to get the benefits decision changed is to file an appeal of that decision.’’

After we receive an allegation of discrimination involving an ALJ based on the categories discussed above, the Division of Quality Service (or its designee) will assist the Office of the General Counsel or its designee in its review of the allegation of discrimination. The Division of Quality Service will prepare a copy of its findings and supporting documents. We will use the facts and documents stemming from the Division of Quality Service’s investigation to make a finding of discrimination or non-discrimination.

We should issue a decision within 180 days of receiving the complaint. We may dismiss complaints for a lack of jurisdiction, such as those that allege discrimination based solely on a denial of benefits under SSA’s program law and not on race, color, national origin (including English language ability), religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or in retaliation for having previously filed a civil rights complaint. We will also dismiss complaints alleging discrimination on bases other than those identified in the complaint form or letter.

Within 30 days after a complainant receives our decision, he or she may request reconsideration of our decision on or dismissal of his or her civil rights complaint, and we should issue a reconsideration decision within 60 days of receiving a request for reconsideration.

Effective Date: This SSR is effective on February 28, 2013.

[FR Doc. 2013–01833 Filed 1–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4191–02–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF STATE**

**[Public Notice 8167]**

**30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: INTERNational**  **Connections**

**ACTION :**  Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information.

**SUMMARY :**  The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

**DATES :**  Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to February 28, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory


### 6172 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2013 / Notices

Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following methods:

• Email: oira

_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.

• Fax: 202–395–5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Direct requests for additional information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and supporting documents, to Rachel C. Friedland, 2401 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20520, who may be reached on 202–261–8055 or at Friedlandrc@state.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 

• Title of Information Collection: INTERNational Connections.

• OMB Control Number: 1405–0190.

• Type of Request: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection.

• Originating Office: Bureau of Human Resources, Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment (HR/REE).

• Form Number: DS–5103.

• Respondents: Alumni of the U.S. Department of State’s Student Programs, including internships, Pickerings, Rangels, Pathways, etc.

• Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.

• Estimated Number of Responses: 1,000.

• Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.

• Total Estimated Burden Time: 500 hours.

• Frequency: On Occasion.

• Obligation to Respond: Voluntary. We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.

• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.

• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of proposed collection: The Department’s student internship programs provide a key source of potential candidates who have an interest in, and are qualified, to become future Department employees. Naturally, HR/REE wants to strengthen and maintain its connections to this group, fostering and mentoring a pool of candidates from which to obtain successful recruits.

In June 2008, HR/REE surveyed over 3,500 former interns who served from 2005 through spring 2008. The intern alumni were queried as to their motivation in seeking an internship, whether or not they had pursued a career with either the Foreign Service or Civil Service, and what their recommendations would be for the best ways for the Department to maintain contact after the conclusion of their internships. Intern alumni endorse continued contact with Department representatives mainly through electronic means and Web site reminders of career opportunities.

In an effort to address these findings and provide viable solutions to improving student engagement prior to, during and following an internship, the Department developed an intern engagement strategy that will ultimately result in a measurable conversion of interns into Department hires for the Foreign or Civil Service. The foundation of this strategy is INTERNational Connections, a web-based career networking site for current, former and future interns that collects pertinent information about them, their experiences and their career goals.

Methodology: Currently, the Department of State internship program employs over 1,000 participants in the summer, in addition to fall and spring internships. Unfortunately, a tracking system does not exist which would enable the Department to capture the intern-to-hire ratio or conversion rate, or track this statistic over a period of time. This project would provide that missing link.

Users will register online at careers.state.gov/internconnect and create a profile that includes the aforementioned information.

Dated: January 23, 2013. William Schaal, Jr., Executive Director, Bureau of Human Resources, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2013–01883 Filed 1–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–15–P DEPARTMENT OF STATE** 

**[Public Notice 8168]**

**In the Matter of the Designation of Ahmed Abdullah Saleh al-Khazmari al**  **Zahrani Also Known as Abu Maryam al-Saudi Also Known as Ahmed**  **Abdullah S al-Zahrani Also Known as Ahmad Abdullah Salih Al-Zahrani Also**  **Known as Abu Maryam al-Azadi Also Known as Ahmed bin Abdullah Saleh**  **bin al-Zahrani Also Known as Ahmed Abdullah Saleh al-Zahrani Al-Khozmri**  **as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of**  **Executive Order 13224, as Amended**

Acting under the authority of and in accordance with section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, as amended by Executive Order 13268 of July 2, 2002, and Executive Order 13284 of January 23, 2003, I hereby determine that the individualknown as Ahmed Abdullah Saleh alKhazmari, also known as Abu Maryam al-Saudi; also known as Ahmed Abdullah S al-Zahrani, also known as Ahmad Abdullah Salih Al-Zahrani, also known as Abu Maryam al-Azadi, also known as Ahmed bin Abdullah Saleh bin al-Zahrani, also known as Ahmed Abdullah Saleh al-Zahrani Al-Khozmri, committed, or poses a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

Consistent with the determination in Section 10 of Executive Order 13224 that ‘‘prior notice to persons determined to be subject to the Order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States would render ineffectual the blocking and other measures authorized in the Order because of the ability to transfer funds instantaneously,’’ I determine that no prior notice needs to be provided to any person subject to this determination who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, because to do so would render ineffectual the measures authorized in the Order.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register

.

Dated: December 21, 2012. William J. Burns, Deputy Secretary of State.
[FR Doc. 2013–01882 Filed 1–28–13; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4710–10–P**