[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22008-22009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07879]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 11706]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: COVID-19 
Vaccination Requests for Waiver

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
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 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to June 
13, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2022-0100'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17597e747873727a6264565b57646376637239707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ec0e7ede1eaebe3fbfdcfc2cefdfaeffaeba0e9e1f8">[email protected]</span></a>.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    <bullet> Title of Information Collection: COVID-19 Vaccination 
Request for Waiver.
    <bullet> OMB Control Number: 1405-0246.
    <bullet> Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
    <bullet> Originating Office: GTM.
    <bullet> Form Number: DS-1558, DS-1559.
    <bullet> Respondents: New employees at the Department of State who 
may request an exception to Executive Order 14043 from this vaccination 
requirement based on a sincerely held religious belief or medical 
needs.
    <bullet> Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    <bullet> Estimated Number of Responses: 100.
    <bullet> Average Time per Response: 75 minutes per response.
    <bullet> Total Estimated Burden Time: 75 hours.
    <bullet> Frequency: On occasion.
    <bullet> Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
    <bullet> Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
    <bullet> 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 purpose of collecting this information is to provide an avenue 
for individuals to request an exception to the vaccination requirement 
as a medical/disability or religious accommodation, and to determine 
whether the request for an exception to Executive Order 14043 is valid 
and can be accommodated.

[[Page 22009]]

Methodology

    For prospective employees, both forms are PDFs that must be 
printed, completed, signed, and emailed to points of contact. The 
Medical Exception form has two parts: Part 2 of the form must be 
completed by a medical professional before the entire document is 
scanned and emailed.

A Notice Regarding Injunctions

    The vaccination requirement issued pursuant to E.O. 14043, is 
currently the subject of a nationwide injunction. While that injunction 
remains in place, the Department will not process requests for a 
medical exception from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to 
E.O. 14043. The Department will also not request the submission of any 
medical information related to a request for an exception from the 
vaccination requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043 while the injunction 
remains in place. But the Department may nevertheless receive 
information regarding a medical exception. That is because, if the 
Department were to receive a request for an exception from the COVID-19 
vaccination requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043 during the pendency of 
the injunction, the Department will accept the request, hold it in 
abeyance, and notify the employee who submitted the request that 
implementation and enforcement of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement 
pursuant to E.O. 14043 is currently enjoined and that an exception 
therefore is not necessary so long as the injunction is in place. In 
other words, during the pendency of the injunction, any information 
collection related to requests for medical exception from the COVID-19 
vaccination requirement pursuant to E.O. 14043 is not undertaken to 
implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Kevin E. Bryant,
Deputy Director, Office of Directives Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2022-07879 Filed 4-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P


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