[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28552-28553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14077]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that 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 on respondents can be properly assessed. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed request for a new OMB Control number for the collection the 
``BLS Data Sharing Program.'' A copy of the proposed information 
collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual 
listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section of this notice on or before August 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments may 
be transmitted by fax to 202-691-5111. (This is not a toll free 
number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, 
202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    An important aspect of the mission of the BLS is to disseminate to 
the public the maximum amount of information possible. Not all data are 
publicly available because of the importance of maintaining the 
confidentiality of BLS data. However, the BLS has opportunities 
available on a limited basis for eligible researchers to access 
confidential data for purposes of conducting valid statistical analyses 
that further the mission of the BLS as permitted in the Confidential 
Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA).
    The BLS makes confidential data available to eligible researchers 
through three major programs:
    1. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), as part of the 
BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count 
of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. 
Multiple sources are used in order to provide as complete and accurate 
information concerning workplace fatalities as possible. A research 
file containing CFOI data is made available offsite to eligible 
researchers.
    2. The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY) is designed to 
document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. The 
NLSY

[[Page 28553]]

collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and 
educational experiences over time. The NLSY includes three different 
cohorts: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), the 
NLSY79 Young Adult Survey, and the National Longitudinal Survey of 
Youth 1997 (NLSY97). NLSY data beyond the public use data are made 
available in greater detail through an offsite program to eligible 
researchers.
    3. Additionally, the BLS makes available data from several 
employment, compensation, prices, and working conditions surveys to 
eligible researchers for onsite use. Eligible researchers can access 
these data in researcher rooms at the BLS national office in 
Washington, DC.

II. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
BLS Data Sharing Program. In order to provide access to confidential 
data, the BLS must determine that the researcher's project will be 
exclusively statistical in nature and that the researcher is eligible 
based on guidelines set out in CIPSEA, the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) implementation guidance on CIPSEA, and BLS policy. This 
information collection provides the vehicle through which the BLS will 
obtain the necessary details to ensure all researchers and projects 
comply with appropriate laws and policies.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
    <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 clarity of the 
information to be collected.
    <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.
    Type of Review: New Collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: BLS Data Sharing Program.
    OMB Number: 1220-NEW.
    Affected Public: Individuals.

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                                                                                                     Estimated
            Form                   Total          Frequency          Total        Average  time    total burden
                                respondents                        responses      per  response        hours
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CFOI Application............               7  On occasion.....               7  35 minutes......               4
NLS Application.............             105  On occasion.....             105  30 minutes......              53
Onsite Researcher                         25  On occasion.....              25  20 hours........             500
 Application.
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    Totals..................             137  ................             137  ................             557
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th day of June 2009.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. E9-14077 Filed 6-15-09; 8:45 am]
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