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###### Department of the Treasury

###### Internal Revenue Service

          - [REG-253578-96]

# AGENCY:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

# ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning an existing final regulation, REG-253578-96, Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans; and temporary regulation (TD 8716) Interim Rules for Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans (§§ 54.9801-3T, 54.9801-4T, 54.9801-5T, and 54.9801-6T).

# DATES:

Written comments should be received on or before June 1, 2009 to be assured of consideration.

# ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Requests for additional information or copies of regulations should be directed to Carolyn N. Brown, at (202) 622-6688, or at Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet, at                         *Carolyn.N.Brown@irs.gov*.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*Title:*                     Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans, and temporary regulation, Interim Rules for Health Insurance Portability for Group Health Plans.                

*OMB Number:*                     1545-1537.                

*Regulation Project Number:*                     REG-253578-96 (Final).                

*Abstract:*                     These regulations contain rules governing access, portability, and renewability requirements for group health plans and issuers of health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan. The regulations also provide guidance for group health plans and the employers maintaining them regarding requirements imposed on plans relating to preexisting condition exclusions, discrimination based on health status, and access to coverage.                

*Current Actions:*                     There is no change to these existing regulations.                

*Type of Review:*                     Extension of a currently approved collection.                

*Affected Public:*                     Business or other for-profit organizations, not-for-profit institutions, and state, local, or tribal governments.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     2,600,000.                

*Estimated Time Per Respondent:*                     6 minutes.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:*                     262,289.                

The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice:

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.

*Request for Comments:*                     Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information.                

Approved: March 13, 2009.

R. Joseph Durbala,

IRS Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. E9-7327 Filed 4-1-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4830-01-P