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Vol. 70, No. 221 LEXSEE 70 FR 69650
28 CFR Part 45 [OAG Docket No. 112; AG Order No. 2789-2005] RIN 1105-AB11 Procedures To Promote Compliance With Crime Victims' Rights Obligations 70 FR 69650 DATE: Thursday, November 17, 2005
Proposed Rule In order to implement section 102 of the Act, the Department published a proposed rule on July 7, 2005, that proposed to create a new section in part 45, Employee Responsibilities, of title 28, Judicial Administration, of the Code of Federal Regulations. 70 FR 39206-01. The proposed rule provided for the creation of the office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman (VRO) within the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) as the designated administrative authority within the Department to receive and investigate complaints relating to the provision or violation of the rights of a crime victim. The proposed rule delineated the powers and duties of the VRO as well as the basic procedures of its operations.
The proposed rule then established a procedure for filing complaints, investigations of those complaints, and imposition of disciplinary sanctions against employees where warranted. The proposed rule required that a complaint be in writing and contain sufficient information to enable an investigation of the complaint by the POC. Complaints were to be filed within 30 days of the alleged violation of a victim's rights, unless the victim demonstrated good cause for the delay. The precise requirements for the investigation were to be established by internal Department policy guidance. At the end of the investigation, the POC was to prepare a written report of the results of the investigation, including a signed statement by the victim as to whether or not he was satisfied that his complaint had been resolved. In either case, however, the report was to be forwarded to the VRO for review. The VRO would then decide whether (a) no further action was necessary; (b) further investigation, to be conducted by the VRO, was necessary; or (c) the employee would be required to undergo training or be subject to disciplinary sanctions. The VRO's determination was not to be dependent on the victim's satisfaction, although it could be taken into account. The VRO would be the final arbiter of whether the complaint had been adequately addressed. [*69651] If the VRO determined that no further action was necessary, the matter was to be closed.
Response to Public Comments Three public comments were received in response to the proposed rule from victim rights' advocates and advocacy organizations. This section explains the Department's response to those comments and notes changes to the proposed rule taken in response to several of them. The comments are divided into three categories structure of the office, powers of the office, and the complaint process.
Structure of the Office One commenter commented that the proposed rule improperly placed the VRO in EOUSA. According to this commenter, EOUSA is viewed within the Department only as a resource, rather than an authority. Further, claimed this commenter, although all Department offices are subject to the statute, including investigative and corrections agencies, EOUSA deals only with U.S. Attorneys' Offices (USAOs). Rather than EOUSA, this commenter suggested that the VRO should be located in the office of the Deputy Attorney General or, alternatively, within OPR.
Powers of the Office One commenter commented that the rule should direct that the VRO require training for Department employees or offices when the VRO finds a violation of victims' rights that are not willful or wanton, rather than authorizing the VRO to require training if the VRO deems it necessary.
Complaint Procedures One commenter commented that a victim should not be required to submit complaints to a POC in each different office of the Department. Rather, the commenter suggested, complaints should go directly to the VRO. According to the commenter, a victim might not even be aware of which office had violated his rights.
Regulatory Procedures Regulatory Flexibility Act Because this final rule affects only internal Department procedures, the Department states that this final rule will not have any effect on small businesses of the type described in 5 U.S.C. 605. Accordingly, the Department has not prepared an initial Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 603.
Executive Order 12866 The Department of Justice has reviewed this final rule in light of Executive Order 12866, section 1(b), Principles of Regulation. The Department of Justice has determined that this final rule is a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866, section 3(f)(4), Regulatory Planning and Review. Accordingly, this final rule has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
Executive Order 13132 This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the Federal government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Executive Order 12988 This final rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 This final rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $ 100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 This final rule is not a major rule as defined by section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. 5 U.S.C. 804. This final rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $ 100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.
Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule is exempt from the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act under 5 CFR 1320.4(1) because it relates to the conduct of a Federal criminal investigation or prosecution.
All comments and suggestions relating to the Paperwork Reduction Act, or questions regarding additional information, should be directed to Brenda Dyer, Clearance Officer, Policy and Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, 601 D Street, NW., Washington, DC 20530. List of Subjects in 28 CFR Part 45 Employee responsibilities; Victims' rights.
PART 45--EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The authority citation for part 45 is revised to read as follows:
§ 45.10 Procedures to promote compliance with crime victims' rights obligations. (a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply with respect to [*69654] this section, which implements the provisions of the Justice for All Act that relate to protection of the rights of crime victims. See 18 U.S.C. 3771.
Alberto R. Gonzales, Attorney General. [FR Doc. 05-22801 Filed 11-16-05; 8:45 am]