Denial of Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders, 67424-67425 [2016-23651]

Download as PDF 67424 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices their treating physicians attesting to the stability of treatment and that the driver has remained seizure-free; (3) each driver must undergo an annual medical examination by a certified Medical Examiner, as defined by 49 CFR 390.5; and (4) each driver must provide a copy of the annual medical certification to the employer for retention in the driver’s qualification file, or keep a copy of his/her driver’s qualification file if he/she is self-employed. The driver must also have a copy of the exemption when driving, for presentation to a duly authorized Federal, State, or local enforcement official. V. Preemption During the period the exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with this exemption with respect to a person operating under the exemption. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES VI. Conclusion Based upon its evaluation of the 22 exemption applications, FMCSA exempts the following drivers from the epilepsy/seizure standard, 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8), subject to the requirements cited above: Travis Earl Baird (OK) Robert P. Brackett (ME) Brian R. Checkley, Jr. (NJ) James Clark (PA) Kelly Frederick (LA) William Gessner (PA) Jerry L. Henderson (IN) Clarence D. Jones (VA) Preston Romayne Kanagy (TN) James Randall King (CT) Scott A. Lowe (MA) Roger Lynn Neal (MO) Thomas Victor Oconnor (FL) Scott William Reaves (TX) Steven Shirley (UT) Matthew Jack Staley (CO) Michael A. Sypolt (WV) Peter M. Thompson (FL) Mohammad S. Warrad (IA) Richard James Wenner (MN) John Charles Wolfe (PA) Dennis Raymond Zayic (MN) In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1), each exemption is valid for two years unless revoked earlier by FMCSA. The exemption will be revoked if the following occurs: (1) The individual fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained prior to being granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31315. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 Issued on: September 23, 2016. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.dot.gov/ privacy. [FR Doc. 2016–23653 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] II. Background On May 9, 2016, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of applications from 27 individuals requesting an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and requested comments from the public (81 FR 28131). The public comment period closed on June 8, 2016, and three comments were received. One commenter supports granting seizure exemptions in general. One commenter expressed concern for the risk of seizure while driving and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety expressed support for three of the applicants and concern about health issues and the driving record of an applicant Shaen Smith. In response to this comment, Mr. Smith has been seizure-free over 18 years and meets the physical qualification standards to drive commercially. His five-year driving record includes no violations or accidents and the Agency has reviewed his ten-year driving history and concludes that he meets the requisite level of safety to drive commercially within the terms and conditions of his exemption. FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and concluded that granting 10 of the 27 exemptions would not provide a level of safety that would be equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8). A final notice announcing a decision on the remaining 17 requests will be published at a later date. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2015–0322] Denial of Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of denial. AGENCY: FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 10 individuals who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– 224, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket Services, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Electronic Access You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document Management System (FDMS) at: https:// www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records PO 00000 Frm 00136 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 III. Basis for Exemption Determination Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption from the Federal epilepsy standard for a renewable two-year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption is likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The Agency’s decision regarding these exemption applications is based on an individualized assessment of each applicant’s medical information, including the root cause of the respective seizure(s) and medical information about the applicant’s seizure history, the length of time that has elapsed since the individual’s last seizure, the stability of each individual’s E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices treatment regimen and the duration of time on or off of anti-seizure medication. The Agency considered the 2007 recommendations of the Agency’s Medical Expert Panel (MEP). The January 15, 2013, Federal Register notice (78 FR 3069) provides the current MEP recommendations which is the criteria the Agency uses to make decisions regarding seizure exemptions. IV. Conclusion The Agency has determined that these 10 applicants do not satisfy the criteria eligibility or meet the terms and conditions for a Federal exemption and granting these exemptions would not provide a level of safety that would be equivalent to or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8). Therefore, the applicants in this notice have been denied an exemption from the physical qualification standards in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(8). Each applicant has, prior to this notice, received a letter of final disposition regarding his/her exemption request. Those decision letters fully outlined the basis for the denial and constitutes final action by the Agency. This notice summarizes the Agency’s recent denials as required under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(4) by publishing names periodically and reasons for denial. The following 10 applicants do not meet the minimum time requirement for being seizure-free, either on or off of antiseizure medication: William E. Beaver Paul V. Carlson Tommy Joe Cox William Garvin Jeremiah Gonzales Roderick Haslip Doug William Outfleet David J. Parris Shawn E. Sands Robert B. Skinner Issued on: September 22, 2016. Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy. [FR Doc. 2016–23651 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0221] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:49 Sep 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. ACTION: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 39 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2016–0221 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00137 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67425 personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– 113, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for a 2-year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 39 individuals listed in this notice have recently requested such an exemption from the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(3), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by statute. II. Qualifications of Applicants Thomas A. Alcon Mr. Alcon, 32, has had ITDM since 2016. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Alcon understands diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Alcon meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from New Mexico. John K. Bottkol Mr. Bottkol, 51, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM 30SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67424-67425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2015-0322]


Denial of Exemption Applications; Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of denial.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 10 
individuals who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting persons with a clinical 
diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a 
loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial 
motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Christine A. Hydock, Chief, 
Medical Programs Division, (202) 366-4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64-224, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. If you have questions 
regarding viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Docket 
Services, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Electronic Access

    You may see all the comments online through the Federal Document 
Management System (FDMS) at: https://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments, go to https://www.regulations.gov and/or Room W12-140 on the 
ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to https://www.regulations.gov, as described in 
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed 
at https://www.dot.gov/privacy.

II. Background

    On May 9, 2016, FMCSA published a notice announcing receipt of 
applications from 27 individuals requesting an exemption from the 
prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or 
any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or 
any loss of ability to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and 
requested comments from the public (81 FR 28131). The public comment 
period closed on June 8, 2016, and three comments were received. One 
commenter supports granting seizure exemptions in general. One 
commenter expressed concern for the risk of seizure while driving and 
the Minnesota Department of Public Safety expressed support for three 
of the applicants and concern about health issues and the driving 
record of an applicant Shaen Smith. In response to this comment, Mr. 
Smith has been seizure-free over 18 years and meets the physical 
qualification standards to drive commercially. His five-year driving 
record includes no violations or accidents and the Agency has reviewed 
his ten-year driving history and concludes that he meets the requisite 
level of safety to drive commercially within the terms and conditions 
of his exemption.
    FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility of these applicants and 
concluded that granting 10 of the 27 exemptions would not provide a 
level of safety that would be equivalent to or greater than the level 
of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation 49 
CFR 391.41(b)(8). A final notice announcing a decision on the remaining 
17 requests will be published at a later date.

III. Basis for Exemption Determination

    Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b), FMCSA may grant an exemption 
from the Federal epilepsy standard for a renewable two-year period if 
it finds ``such exemption is likely achieve a level of safety that is 
equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent 
such exemption.''
    The Agency's decision regarding these exemption applications is 
based on an individualized assessment of each applicant's medical 
information, including the root cause of the respective seizure(s) and 
medical information about the applicant's seizure history, the length 
of time that has elapsed since the individual's last seizure, the 
stability of each individual's

[[Page 67425]]

treatment regimen and the duration of time on or off of anti-seizure 
medication. The Agency considered the 2007 recommendations of the 
Agency's Medical Expert Panel (MEP). The January 15, 2013, Federal 
Register notice (78 FR 3069) provides the current MEP recommendations 
which is the criteria the Agency uses to make decisions regarding 
seizure exemptions.

IV. Conclusion

    The Agency has determined that these 10 applicants do not satisfy 
the criteria eligibility or meet the terms and conditions for a Federal 
exemption and granting these exemptions would not provide a level of 
safety that would be equivalent to or greater than, the level of safety 
that would be obtained by complying with the regulation 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(8). Therefore, the applicants in this notice have been denied 
an exemption from the physical qualification standards in 49 CFR 
391.41(b)(8).
    Each applicant has, prior to this notice, received a letter of 
final disposition regarding his/her exemption request. Those decision 
letters fully outlined the basis for the denial and constitutes final 
action by the Agency. This notice summarizes the Agency's recent 
denials as required under 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(4) by publishing names 
periodically and reasons for denial. The following 10 applicants do not 
meet the minimum time requirement for being seizure-free, either on or 
off of anti-seizure medication:

William E. Beaver
Paul V. Carlson
Tommy Joe Cox
William Garvin
Jeremiah Gonzales
Roderick Haslip
Doug William Outfleet
David J. Parris
Shawn E. Sands
Robert B. Skinner

    Issued on: September 22, 2016.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-23651 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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