[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 9637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4733]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Emergency Review: Comment Request

February 27, 2009.
    The Department of Labor has submitted the following information 
collection request (ICR), utilizing emergency review procedures, to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35) and 5 CFR 1320.13. OMB approval has been requested 
by March 10, 2009. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation; including among other things a description of the likely 
respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden 
may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202-
693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a3e7eceffcf3f1e2fcf3f6e1efeae0e3c7cccf8dc4ccd5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="490d060516191b0816191c0b05000a092d2625672e263f">[email protected]</span></a>. Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk 
Officer for the Department of Labor--EBSA, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202-395-7316/Fax: 
202-395-6974 (these are not toll-free numbers), E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3fcfae1f2ecc0c6d1dedac0c0dadcddf3dcded19dd6dcc39dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="357a7c67746a464057585c46465c5a5b755a58571b505a451b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>. Comments and questions about the ICR listed 
below should be received 5 days prior to the requested OMB approval 
date.
    The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarify of the 
information to be collected; and
    <bullet> 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.
    Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration.
    Title of Collection: Notice Requirements of the Health Care 
Continuation Coverage--American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
Revision.
    OMB Control Number: 1210-0123.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit; Not-for-profit institutions.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 2.5 million.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 0.
    Total Net Estimated Annual Costs Burden (other than hourly costs): 
$16.1 million.
    Description: Section 3001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides ``Assistance Eligible Individuals'' with 
the right to pay reduced COBRA premiums for up to 9 months. To be 
considered an ``Assistance Eligible Individual'' and receive premium 
reduction an individual must: (1) be eligible for, and elect, COBRA 
continuation coverage, (2) have experienced an involuntary termination 
of employment which led to the COBRA election opportunity, (3) have 
experienced the involuntary termination during the period beginning 
September 1, 2008, and ending December 31, 2009. Individuals who 
experienced an involuntary termination of employment at any time 
between September 1, 2008, and February 16, 2009, and were offered, but 
did not elect, COBRA coverage or who elected COBRA and subsequently 
dropped it may have the right to an additional 60-day election period.
    ARRA section 3001(a)(7)(D) requires the Secretary of Labor to 
consult with the Secretaries of Treasury and Health and Human Services 
to develop model notices no later than 30 days after the date of 
enactment for use by group health plan and other entities, that, 
pursuant to ARRA, must provide notices to affected individuals 
regarding the availability of premium reductions and the additional 
election period for health care continuation coverage. The ICR relates 
to the issuance of the model notices.
    Why are we requesting Emergency Processing? If the Department were 
to comply with standard PRA clearance procedures, it would not be able 
to publish the model notices within 30 days after the ARRA enactment 
date.

Darrin A. King,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-4733 Filed 3-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P


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