Implementation of the Privacy Act of 1974, 18216-18220 [2019-08753]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 83 / Tuesday, April 30, 2019 / Proposed Rules
Years 2020 and 2021’’ that was
published in the November 1, 2018
Federal Register. The comment period
for the RADV provision of this proposed
rule, which would end on April 30,
2019, is extended by 120 days until
August 28, 2019. This document also
announces that CMS will be releasing
additional data underlying the FFS
Adjuster Study released October 26,
2018.
DATES: The comment period for RADV
provisions (that is, section II.C.2. of the
November 1, 2018 proposed rule and
proposed §§ 422.300, 422.310(e) and
422.311(a) of the regulations text),
published on November 1, 2018 (83 FR
54982), and extended on December 27,
2018 (83 FR 66661), is further extended
to 5 p.m. on August 28, 2019.
ADDRESSES: In commenting, please refer
to file code CMS–4185–P. Because of
staff and resource limitations, we cannot
accept comments by facsimile (FAX)
transmission.
Comments, including mass comment
submissions, must be submitted in one
of the following three ways (please
choose only one of the ways listed):
1. Electronically. You may submit
electronic comments on this regulation
to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the ‘‘Submit a comment’’ instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail
written comments to the following
address ONLY: Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Department of
Health and Human Services, Attention:
CMS–4185–P, P.O. Box 8013, Baltimore,
MD 21244–8013.
Please allow sufficient time for mailed
comments to be received before the
close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You
may send written comments to the
following address ONLY: Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human
Services, Attention: CMS–4185–P, Mail
Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.
For information on viewing public
comments, see the beginning of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jonathan Smith (410) 786–4671 or
Joanne Davis (410) 786–5127.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Inspection of Public Comments: All
comments received before the close of
the comment period are available for
viewing by the public, including any
personally identifiable or confidential
business information that is included in
a comment. We post all comments
received before the close of the
comment period on the following
website as soon as possible after they
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have been received: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the search
instructions on that website to view
public comments.
Extension of the Public Comment
Period
In the November 1, 2018 proposed
rule (83 FR 54982) titled, ‘‘Medicare and
Medicaid Programs; Policy and
Technical Changes to the Medicare
Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug
Benefit, Program of All-inclusive Care
for the Elderly (PACE), Medicaid FeeFor-Service, and Medicaid Managed
Care Programs for Years 2020 and
2021,’’ we included preamble language
and regulatory provisions regarding the
proposed Risk Adjustment Data
Validation audit methodology and the
proposal not to apply a Fee-For-Service
(FFS) Adjuster. We posted a FFS
Adjuster Study on October 26, 2018.
In the March 6, 2019 Federal Register
(84 FR 8069), we published a document
titled ‘‘Medicare Program; Release of
Data Underlying Risk Adjustment Data
Validation Provisions’’ that announced
the release of data underlying the
proposed policies regarding the use of
extrapolation in MA Risk Adjustment
Data Validation (RADV) audits and the
Fee-for-Service (FFS) Adjuster.
CMS is announcing the release of
additional data underlying the October
26, 2018 FFS Adjuster Study. Updates
to existing documentation related to the
study data, as well as additional data
without Personally Identifiable
Information, were posted on the CPI
Private Plans Team website on April 25,
2019. Additional data containing
Protected Health Information are being
made available by CMS to all parties
who have entered into an applicable
data use agreement and to those parties
who can request this information if they
agree to enter into an applicable data
use agreement. CMS expects to release
that data by June 14th. This will be the
final release of data from the October 26,
2018 FFS Adjuster Study.
In addition to releasing this additional
data from the previously published
study, CMS intends to replicate that
study, publish the results, and release
associated data. Doing so will allow
CMS to both test its initial results and
release a more complete set of
underlying data. Certain intermediate
data elements not saved in the
implementation of the initial study
would be preserved in the replication
and made available through publication.
In order to maximize the opportunity
for the public to provide meaningful
input to CMS, we believe it is important
to allow additional time for the public
to prepare comments on the RADV
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provisions of the proposed rule. In
addition, we believe granting a 120-day
extension to the public comment period
in this instance would further our
overall objective to obtain public input
and to generate information that will be
useful to our agency’s decision makers.
Therefore, this document announces the
extension of the public comment period
until August 28, 2019 for the RADV
provisions included in the November 1,
2018 proposed rule (83 FR 55037
through 55041 and 55077).
Dated: April, 22, 2019.
Seema Verma,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2019–08691 Filed 4–25–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120–01–P
NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
National Endowment for the
Humanities
45 CFR Part 1169
RIN 3136–AA18
Implementation of the Privacy Act of
1974
National Endowment for the
Humanities.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for
comments.
AGENCY:
The National Endowment for
the Humanities (‘‘NEH’’) is proposing to
issue regulations to implement the
Privacy Act of 1974 (the ‘‘Privacy Act’’).
These regulations would establish
procedures by which an individual may
determine whether a system of records
maintained by NEH contains a record
pertaining to him or her; gain access to
such records; and request correction or
amendment of such records. These
regulations also would establish
exemptions from certain Privacy Act
requirements for all or part of certain
systems of records maintained by NEH.
DATES: Send comments on or before
May 30, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by
any of the following methods:
• Email: gencounsel@neh.gov.
Include ‘‘Implementation of the Privacy
Act’’ in the subject line of the email.
• Mail: National Endowment for the
Humanities, Office of the General
Counsel, 400 7th Street SW, Room 4060,
Washington, DC 20506.
• Fax: (202) 606–8600.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Elizabeth Voyatzis, Deputy General
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel,
SUMMARY:
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National Endowment for the
Humanities, 400 7th Street SW, Room
4060, Washington, DC 20506 (202) 606–
8322; gencounsel@neh.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEH
operates as part of the National
Foundation on the Arts and the
Humanities (the ‘‘Foundation’’) under
the National Foundation of the Arts and
the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended
(20 U.S.C. 951 et seq.). The Foundation
consists of the Institute of Museum and
Library Services (‘‘IMLS’’), the Federal
Council on the Arts and the Humanities
(‘‘FCAH’’), the National Endowment for
the Arts (‘‘NEA’’), and NEH. NEH
currently follows Foundation
regulations implementing the Privacy
Act, located at part 1115 within
Subchapter A of 45 CFR Chapter XI.
The regulations found within 45 CFR
Chapter XI, Subchapter A apply to the
entire Foundation. This proposed rule
will add Privacy Act regulations to 45
CFR Chapter XI, Subchapter D (45 CFR
part 1169), replacing the Foundation’s
Privacy Act regulations with regard to
NEH. IMLS and NEA have already
added IMLS and NEA-specific Privacy
Act regulations to 45 CFR XI,
Subchapters B and E (45 CFR parts 1159
& 1182), respectively, which replaced
the Foundation’s Privacy Act
regulations with regard to IMLS and
NEA. FCAH, which relies upon NEA
and NEH for its administration, does not
maintain any systems of records of its
own, and hence has no need or
obligation to publish Privacy Act
regulations. See 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)
(requiring only that an agency that
‘‘maintain[s] a system of records shall
promulgate rules’’ implementing the
Privacy Act).
The Foundation’s Privacy Act
regulations set forth in 45 CFR Chapter
XI, Subchapter A contain outdated
address and contact information, as well
as outdated procedures by which an
individual may request access to his or
her records. Through this rulemaking,
NEH seeks to put into place current
contact information, as well as update
and clarify the procedures NEH will
follow when granting access to, or
amending or correcting, a record
contained within a system of records.
NEH will also add a new exemption
covering its system of records entitled
‘‘Office of Inspector General (‘‘OIG’’)
Investigative Files,’’ which did not exist
when the Foundation published its
Privacy Act regulations.
Because NEH is the only agency that
continues to use the Foundation
regulations at 45 CFR Chapter XI,
Subchapter A, rather than amend the
Foundation regulations—which, along
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with future amendments, requires
coordination with IMLS and NEA—NEH
has chosen instead to issue its own
Privacy Act regulations. In the event
this proposed rule becomes final, NEH
will seek NEA and IMLS’s consent to
publish a joint rulemaking removing the
Foundation’s Privacy Act regulation at
45 CFR part 1115, as that regulation will
no longer apply to any of the
Foundation’s constituent agencies.
This proposed rulemaking largely
tracks the format and content of the
Foundation’s Privacy Act regulations,
and sets out few substantive changes. In
addition to adding the exemption
described above for the OIG
Investigative Files, NEH also has
modernized the procedures by which
individuals may request access to
records pertaining to them, and by
which NEH will verify an individual’s
identity and provide access to requested
records. It has also extended its appeals
process to cover NEH decisions to deny
individuals’ requests for access to
records, in addition to NEH decisions to
deny individuals’ requests to amend or
correct records.
In keeping with the Foundation’s
Privacy Act regulations, NEH will
continue to claim an exemption under
5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) with respect to the
identity of persons supplying reference
reports or evaluations for individual
applicants for NEH fellowships or
grants. In practice, the exercise of this
exemption has required that NEH
withhold both the actual identity of the
reference, as well as all or some of the
reference reports and evaluations, since
the comments reflected in such
documents in many cases reflect the
identity of the reference. NEH obtains
and keeps such reference reports
confidential to ensure that references be
given, and evaluations made, with
complete candor.
Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant
regulatory action and was therefore not
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review.
Executive Order 13771: Reducing
Regulations and Controlling Regulatory
Costs
This action is not expected to be an
Executive Order 13771 regulatory action
because this action is not significant
under Executive Order 12866.
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Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(‘‘PRA’’)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA. This action contains no provisions
constituting a collection of information
under the PRA.
Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980
(‘‘RFA’’)
This action will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the RFA.
This action will not impose any
requirements on small entities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
1995 (‘‘UMRA’’)
This action does not contain any
unfunded mandate as described in the
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
This action does not have federalism
implications. It will not have substantial
direct effects on the states, on the
relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order
13175 does not apply to this action.
List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part [X]
Administrative practice and
procedure, Privacy.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, the National Endowment for
the Humanities proposes add part 1169
to 45 CFR Chapter XI Subchapter D as
follows:
PART 1169—PRIVACY ACT
REGULATIONS
Sec.
1169.1 Purpose and scope.
1169.2 Definitions.
1169.3 Inquiries about NEH’s systems of
records or implementation of the Privacy
Act.
1169.4 Procedures for determining if an
individual is the subject of an NEH
record.
1169.5 Procedures for acquiring access to
NEH records pertaining to an individual.
1169.6 Identification required when
requesting access to NEH records
pertaining to an individual.
1169.7 Procedures for amending or
correcting an individual’s NEH record.
1169.8 The appeals process.
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1169.9 Fees charged to locate, review, or
copy records.
1169.10 NEH systems of records that are
covered by exemptions under the
Privacy Act.
1169.11 Penalties for obtaining an NEH
record under false pretenses.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
§ 1169.1
Purpose and scope.
The regulations in this part set forth
NEH’s procedures under the Privacy
Act, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(f),
with respect to systems of records
maintained by NEH. These regulations
establish procedures by which an
individual may exercise the rights
granted by the Privacy Act to determine
whether an NEH system of records
contains a record pertaining to him or
her; gain access to such records; and
request correction or amendment of
such records. The regulations also set
identification requirements; establish
procedures by which an individual may
appeal within NEH an adverse agency
determination; prescribe fees which
NEH will charge for copying records;
and establish exemptions from certain
requirements of the Privacy Act for
certain NEH systems of records or parts
thereof.
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§ 1169.2
Definitions.
The definitions of the Privacy Act
apply to this part. In addition, as used
in this part:
Agency means any executive
department, military department,
Government corporation, or other
establishment in the executive branch of
the Federal government, including the
Executive Office of the President or any
independent regulatory agency;
Business day means a calendar day,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
public holidays;
Chairperson means the Chairperson of
NEH, or his or her designee;
General Counsel means the General
Counsel of NEH, or his or her designee;
Individual means any citizen of the
United States or an alien lawfully
admitted for permanent residence;
Maintain means to collect, use, store,
or disseminate records, as well as any
combination of these recordkeeping
functions. The term also includes
exercise of control over and, therefore,
responsibility and accountability for,
systems of records;
NEH means the National Endowment
for the Humanities;
NEH system means a system of
records maintained by NEH;
Privacy Act means the Privacy Act of
1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a);
Record means any item, collection, or
grouping of information about an
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individual, including, but not limited
to, information regarding an
individual’s education, financial
transactions, medical history, and
criminal or employment history and
that contains the individual’s name or
another identifying particular, such as a
number or symbol assigned to the
individual, or his or her fingerprint,
voice print, or photograph.
Routine use means, with respect to
disclosure of a record, the use of a
record for a purpose that is compatible
with the purpose for which it was
collected; and
System of records means a group of
records under the control of NEH from
which NEH retrieves information by use
of an individual’s name or by some
number, symbol, or other identifying
particular assigned to an individual.
§ 1169.3 Inquiries about NEH’s systems of
records or implementation of the Privacy
Act.
Inquiries about NEH’s systems of
records or implementation of the
Privacy Act should be sent by email to
gencounsel@neh.gov or by mail to the
following address: National Endowment
for the Humanities; Office of the General
Counsel; 400 Seventh Street SW, Fourth
Floor, Washington, DC 20506.
§ 1169.4 Procedures for determining if an
individual is the subject of an NEH record.
(a) NEH has published notice of its
systems of records in the Federal
Register and also has made such
information available on the privacy
program page of the NEH website. Any
individual desiring to know whether a
specific system of records contains a
record pertaining to him or her should
address such inquiries in writing to the
Office of the General Counsel at the
email or physical address identified in
§ 1169.3.
(b) The written inquiry described
above should refer to the specific system
or systems of records listed in the NEH
Notice of Systems of Records, or
describe the type of record in sufficient
detail reasonably to identify the relevant
system of records.
(c) At a minimum, the request should
contain sufficient identifying
information to allow NEH to determine
if there is a record pertaining to the
individual making the request in a
particular system of records. NEH
reserves the right to solicit from an
individual submitting such inquiry
proof of identification, depending upon
the sensitivity of the request.
(d) NEH will attempt to respond to an
inquiry regarding whether a record
exists within 10 business days of
receiving the inquiry, or 10 business
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days from the time any required
identification is established, whichever
is later. Such a response will contain or
reference the procedures that the
individual must follow in order to gain
access to any such records.
§ 1169.5 Procedures for acquiring access
to NEH records pertaining to an individual.
(a) An individual may request access
to his or her own records contained
within an NEH system of records by
writing to the Office of the General
Counsel at the email or physical address
identified in § 1169.3. The individual
making the request should include his
or her full name, address, email address,
and telephone number. The individual
making the request should also
specifically indicate whether he or she
wishes to review such records in
person.
(b) The request for access to a record
within a system of records should refer
to the specific system or systems of
records listed in the NEH Notice of
Systems of Records within which NEH
may retrieve the individual’s records, or
describe the type of record in sufficient
detail such that NEH may reasonably
identify the relevant system of records.
The request should further state that it
is made pursuant to the Privacy Act. In
addition, the request should include any
other information which may permit
NEH to identify the record for which
access is being requested, such as
maiden name, dates of employment, etc.
(c) Where an individual requests
records pertaining to himself or herself,
NEH will process such request under
both these regulations and NEH’s
regulations implementing the Freedom
of Information Act (‘‘FOIA’’), set forth in
45 CFR part 1171, so as to provide the
greatest degree of lawful access.
(d) Upon receipt of any such request,
NEH will determine whether the records
identified by the requester exist and
whether they are subject to any
exemption under § 1169.10. Should
NEH determine that the records are
releasable under the Privacy Act and
these regulations, and upon verifying
the individual’s identity per § 1169.6.
NEH will provide access to copies of the
records by transmitting them to the
requester at the mailing or email address
provided by the requester, or by
permitting the requester to inspect the
records at NEH’s offices should the
requester ask for in-person inspection or
where the requester is a current NEH
employee.
(e) NEH will acknowledge a request
for access as soon as practicable, and in
no event in less than 5 business days.
Consistent with the agency’s FOIA
regulations, NEH will otherwise
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substantively answer a request for
access in no less than 20 business days,
except when NEH determines
otherwise, in which case NEH will
inform the person making the request of
the reasons for the delay and the
estimated date by which NEH will
answer the request. When NEH can
answer the request within 20 business
days, the response shall include the
following:
(i) A statement that there is no record
as requested or a statement that there is
no such record in the systems of records
maintained by NEH;
(ii) A statement as to whether NEH
will grant access by providing a copy of
the record through the mail or email; or,
where an individual requests in-person
inspection, the address of the location
and the date and time at which the
record may be examined. In the event
the person requesting access is unable to
meet the specified date and time, he or
she may make alternative arrangements
with NEH;
(iii) The amount of fees charged, if
any (see § 1169.9); and
(iv) Any documentation required by
NEH to verify the identity of the person
making the request.
(f) NEH will provide only one copy of
each requested record, based on the fee
schedule in § 1169.9.
(g) Per 5 U.S.C. 552a(h), a parent of a
minor, upon presenting suitable
personal identification, may act on
behalf of the minor to gain access to any
record pertaining to the minor
maintained by NEH in a system of
records. A legal guardian may similarly
act on behalf of an individual declared
to be incompetent due to physical or
mental incapacity or age by a court of
competent jurisdiction, upon the
presentation of the documents
authorizing the legal guardian to so act,
and upon suitable personal
identification of the guardian.
(h) In the event NEH gains access to
a record by permitting in-person
inspection, the individual to which the
record pertains may be accompanied by
a person of his or her choice to review
the record. Under such circumstances,
NEH may require that the individual
who is the subject of the record furnish
a written statement authorizing
discussion of the record in the
accompanying person’s presence.
(i) In accordance with this provision,
NEH will disclose medical or
psychological records pertaining to an
individual to whom they pertain unless
NEH determines, in consultation with a
physician, that disclosure of such
records might adversely affect the
individual to whom they pertain. Under
these circumstances, NEH will disclose
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this information to a licensed physician
designated by such individual in
writing.
§ 1169.6 Identification required when
requesting access to NEH records
pertaining to an individual.
(a) Before granting access to personal
information under the Privacy Act, NEH
may require that the individual
requesting such access provide
reasonable proof of his or her identity.
(b) Except in the case of NEH
employees and those individuals who
request in-person inspection, NEH
generally will endeavor to provide
access to records via mail or email. In
such instances, NEH will first confirm
that the physical and/or email addresses
provided by the requester match those
contained with the NEH system of
records. Depending upon the sensitivity
of the records requested, and whether
the addresses match as described in the
preceding sentence, NEH may also
request that the individual verify his or
her identity by providing certain
minimum identifying data, such as date
or place of birth and/or copies of a valid
driver’s license or passport. Where the
information sought is of a particularly
sensitive nature, and/or where the
individual cannot provide the minimum
identifying data described above, NEH
may require that the individual seeking
access submit a notarized statement of
identity or a signed statement asserting
and acknowledging that knowingly or
willfully seeking or obtaining access to
records about another person under
false pretenses may result in a fine of up
to $5,000.
(c) NEH will provide access by inperson examination to NEH employees
as well as to individuals who
specifically request disclosure in
person. In such instances, the
individual requesting disclosure may
prove identity by producing an
employee identification card, driver’s
license, or other license, permit or pass
used for routine identification purposes.
If the individual is unable to provide
suitable documentation or
identification, NEH may require that he
or she stipulate, in writing, that
knowingly or willingly seeking or
obtaining access to records about
another person under false pretenses is
punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.
(d) Identity verification procedures
shall not:
(i) Be so complicated as to discourage
unnecessarily individuals from seeking
access to information about themselves;
(ii) Be required of an individual
seeking access to records that normally
would be available under FOIA (see 45
CFR part 1171);
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(iii) Require, as a condition to access,
the provision of a social security
number, unless a social security number
is the only means by which NEH may
retrieve the records that are the subject
of the request; or
(iv) Require the individual explain or
justify his or her need for access to any
record under this part.
§ 1169.7 Procedures for amending or
correcting an individual’s NEH record.
(a) Individuals are entitled to request
amendments or corrections of records
pertaining to themselves pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 552a(d)(2). Normally,
amendments to this part are limited to
correcting factual matters and not
matters of official judgment, such as
grant proposal evaluations, performance
ratings, promotion potential, and job
performance appraisals.
(b) Individuals may request the
amendment of records pertaining to
themselves by submitting a letter in
writing to the NEH Office of the General
Counsel at the email or physical address
identified in § 1169.3. Such letter shall
include the following information:
(i) Identification of the particular
record to be amended or corrected;
(ii) The NEH system from which the
record was retrieved;
(iii) The precise correction or
amendment sought, preferably in the
form of an edited copy of the record
reflecting the desired modification; and
(iv) Reasons for requesting
amendment or correction of the record,
including copies of available
documentary evidence supporting the
request, where applicable.
(v) The individual seeking action
under this provision bears the burden of
demonstrating to NEH that a record
should be amended or corrected.
(c) NEH will acknowledge a request
for amendment or correction as soon as
practicable, and in no event less than 5
business days.
(d) When NEH has previously verified
the individual’s identity pursuant to
§§ 1169.6(b) or 1169.6(c), it will not
require further verification of identity so
long as the request for amendment or
correction does not suggest a need for
additional verification. If NEH has not
previously verified the individual’s
identity, it may require that the
individual validate his or her identity as
described in §§ 1169.6(b) or 1169(c).
(e) To the extent possible, NEH will
render a decision upon a request to
amend a record no less than 20 business
days after receiving such a request. In
the event NEH cannot render a decision
within that time frame, it will so inform
the individual who made the request
and provide an expected date for a
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decision. Any such decision will
include the following information:
(i) NEH’s decision whether to grant in
whole, or deny any part of, the request
to amend or correct the record;
(ii) The reasons for the determination
for any portion of the request which is
denied;
(iii) A statement that any denial may
be appealed pursuant to the procedures
set forth in § 1169.8; and
(iv) The name and address of the
official to whom an individual may
submit an appeal of denial.
(f) NEH will forward requests to
amend or correct a record governed by
the regulations of another agency to
such agency for processing, and inform
the person who submitted such request
in writing of its referral.
amozie on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS
§ 1169.8
The appeals process.
(a) An individual whose request for
access to, or correction or amendment
of, a record is initially denied by NEH
and who wishes to appeal that denial
may do so by sending a letter within 90
days of receipt of the initial denial to
the Chairperson. If an appeal concerns
records retrieved from the OIG’s
Investigative Files, the OIG will act on
the appeal and will carry out all
responsibilities with respect to Privacy
Act appeals otherwise assigned to the
Chairperson under this section.
(b) The appeal letter must:
(i) Specify the records subject to the
appeal;
(ii) Include the information specified
in § 1169.7(b);
(iii) Include copies of the
correspondence from NEH in which it
initially denied the request for access, or
for amendment or correction; and
(iv) Explain why NEH’s denial of
access, amendment or correction was
erroneous.
(b) Appeals should be directed to the
NEH Office of the General Counsel at
the physical address or email address
identified in § 1169.3. The Office of the
General Counsel will refer the appeal
letter to the Chairperson (or his or his
or her designee), or in the case of
records retrieved from NEH’s OIG
Investigative Files, will refer the appeal
letter to the NEH OIG.
(c) The Chairperson will review the
initial request for access to, or
amendment or correction of, the record,
NEH’s refusal, and any other pertinent
material relating to the appeal. NEH will
not hold a hearing on the appeal.
(d) The Chairperson will render a
final decision on the appeal within 30
business days of its receipt by NEH,
unless the Chairperson, for good cause
shown, extends the 30-day period.
Should the Chairperson extend the 30-
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17:27 Apr 29, 2019
Jkt 247001
day period, NEH will inform the
requester of the extension and the
circumstances of the delay.
(e) In conducting appeals under this
provision, the Chairperson will be
guided by the requirements of 5 U.S.C.
552a(e)(1) and (e)(5).
(f) NEH will notify a requester, in
writing, when the Chairperson
determines to grant an appeal in whole
or in part, and will grant the requester
access to his or her record, or correct or
amend the record, in accordance with
the Chairperson’s determination.
(g) When the Chairperson determines
to deny an appeal, in whole or in part,
NEH will notify the requester in writing
of the following:
(i) The basis for the decision;
(ii) That the requester may submit to
NEH a concise statement setting forth
the reasons for disagreeing with NEH’s
decision;
(iii) The procedures for filing such
statement of disagreement;
(iv) That, in a case where the
Chairperson refuses a request to amend
or correct a record, NEH will make such
statements of disagreement available in
subsequent disclosures of the record,
together with a statement from NEH (if
deemed appropriate) summarizing the
agency’s refusal; and
(v) The requester’s right to seek
judicial review under 5 U.S.C.
552a(g)(1)(a).
§ 1169.9 Fees charged to locate, review, or
copy records.
(a) NEH will not charge fees for the
search or review of requested records, or
the amendment or correction of records.
(b) NEH will not charge fees for
providing the first copy of a record or
any portion of a record to whom the
record pertains. NEH will otherwise
charge copying fees at the same rate,
and using the same procedures, that
NEH has established for FOIA requests.
§ 1169.10 NEH systems of records that are
covered by exemptions under the Privacy
Act.
(a) Pursuant to and limited by 5
U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the NEH system
entitled ‘‘Office of the Inspector General
Investigative Files’’ shall be exempted
from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a,
except for sections (b); (c)(1) and (2);
(e)(4)(A) through (F); (e)(6), (7), (9), (10),
and (11); and (i), insofar as that NEH
system contains information pertaining
to criminal law enforcement
investigations. NEH has implemented
this exemption because application of
these provisions of the Privacy Act
might alert investigation subjects to the
existence or scope of investigations;
lead to suppression, alteration,
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 9990
fabrication, or destruction of evidence;
disclose investigative techniques or
procedures; reduce the cooperativeness
or safety of witnesses; or otherwise
impair investigations.
(b) Pursuant to and limited by 5
U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the NEH system
entitled ‘‘Office of the Inspector General
Investigative Files’’ shall be exempted
from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d); (e)(1);
(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I); and (f), insofar as
that NEH system consists of
investigatory material compiled for law
enforcement purposes, other than
material within the scope of the
exemption at 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
(c) Pursuant to and limited by 5
U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), the NEH system
entitled ‘‘Grants and Cooperative
Agreements: Electronic Grant
Management System’’ shall be exempted
from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d); (e)(1);
(e)(4)(G), (H), and (I); and (f), insofar as
that NEH system consists of materials
which would reveal the identity of
references for fellowship or grant
applicants.
(d) Records on applicants for
employment at NEH are covered by the
Office of Personnel Management
government-wide system notice
‘‘Recruiting, Examining, and Placement
Records.’’ These records are exempted
as claimed in 5 CFR 297.501(b)(7).
(e) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5),
nothing within these regulations shall
allow an individual access to any
information compiled in reasonable
anticipation of a civil action or
proceeding.
(f) NEH may also assert exemptions
for records received from another
agency that could properly be claimed
by that agency in responding to a
request.
§ 1169.11 Penalties for obtaining an NEH
record under false pretenses.
Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3), any person
who knowingly and willfully requests
or obtains any record from NEH
concerning an individual under false
pretenses shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and fined not more than
$5,000.
Dated: April 25, 2019.
Elizabeth Voyatzis,
Deputy General Counsel, National
Endowment for the Humanities.
[FR Doc. 2019–08753 Filed 4–29–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7536–01–P
E:\FR\FM\30APP1.SGM
30APP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18216-18220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08753]
=======================================================================
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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES
National Endowment for the Humanities
45 CFR Part 1169
RIN 3136-AA18
Implementation of the Privacy Act of 1974
AGENCY: National Endowment for the Humanities.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Endowment for the Humanities (``NEH'') is
proposing to issue regulations to implement the Privacy Act of 1974
(the ``Privacy Act''). These regulations would establish procedures by
which an individual may determine whether a system of records
maintained by NEH contains a record pertaining to him or her; gain
access to such records; and request correction or amendment of such
records. These regulations also would establish exemptions from certain
Privacy Act requirements for all or part of certain systems of records
maintained by NEH.
DATES: Send comments on or before May 30, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Email: [email protected]. Include ``Implementation of the
Privacy Act'' in the subject line of the email.
Mail: National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of the
General Counsel, 400 7th Street SW, Room 4060, Washington, DC 20506.
Fax: (202) 606-8600.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Voyatzis, Deputy General
Counsel, Office of the General Counsel,
[[Page 18217]]
National Endowment for the Humanities, 400 7th Street SW, Room 4060,
Washington, DC 20506 (202) 606-8322; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NEH operates as part of the National
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities (the ``Foundation'') under
the National Foundation of the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as
amended (20 U.S.C. 951 et seq.). The Foundation consists of the
Institute of Museum and Library Services (``IMLS''), the Federal
Council on the Arts and the Humanities (``FCAH''), the National
Endowment for the Arts (``NEA''), and NEH. NEH currently follows
Foundation regulations implementing the Privacy Act, located at part
1115 within Subchapter A of 45 CFR Chapter XI.
The regulations found within 45 CFR Chapter XI, Subchapter A apply
to the entire Foundation. This proposed rule will add Privacy Act
regulations to 45 CFR Chapter XI, Subchapter D (45 CFR part 1169),
replacing the Foundation's Privacy Act regulations with regard to NEH.
IMLS and NEA have already added IMLS and NEA-specific Privacy Act
regulations to 45 CFR XI, Subchapters B and E (45 CFR parts 1159 &
1182), respectively, which replaced the Foundation's Privacy Act
regulations with regard to IMLS and NEA. FCAH, which relies upon NEA
and NEH for its administration, does not maintain any systems of
records of its own, and hence has no need or obligation to publish
Privacy Act regulations. See 5 U.S.C. 552a(f) (requiring only that an
agency that ``maintain[s] a system of records shall promulgate rules''
implementing the Privacy Act).
The Foundation's Privacy Act regulations set forth in 45 CFR
Chapter XI, Subchapter A contain outdated address and contact
information, as well as outdated procedures by which an individual may
request access to his or her records. Through this rulemaking, NEH
seeks to put into place current contact information, as well as update
and clarify the procedures NEH will follow when granting access to, or
amending or correcting, a record contained within a system of records.
NEH will also add a new exemption covering its system of records
entitled ``Office of Inspector General (``OIG'') Investigative Files,''
which did not exist when the Foundation published its Privacy Act
regulations.
Because NEH is the only agency that continues to use the Foundation
regulations at 45 CFR Chapter XI, Subchapter A, rather than amend the
Foundation regulations--which, along with future amendments, requires
coordination with IMLS and NEA--NEH has chosen instead to issue its own
Privacy Act regulations. In the event this proposed rule becomes final,
NEH will seek NEA and IMLS's consent to publish a joint rulemaking
removing the Foundation's Privacy Act regulation at 45 CFR part 1115,
as that regulation will no longer apply to any of the Foundation's
constituent agencies.
This proposed rulemaking largely tracks the format and content of
the Foundation's Privacy Act regulations, and sets out few substantive
changes. In addition to adding the exemption described above for the
OIG Investigative Files, NEH also has modernized the procedures by
which individuals may request access to records pertaining to them, and
by which NEH will verify an individual's identity and provide access to
requested records. It has also extended its appeals process to cover
NEH decisions to deny individuals' requests for access to records, in
addition to NEH decisions to deny individuals' requests to amend or
correct records.
In keeping with the Foundation's Privacy Act regulations, NEH will
continue to claim an exemption under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) with respect
to the identity of persons supplying reference reports or evaluations
for individual applicants for NEH fellowships or grants. In practice,
the exercise of this exemption has required that NEH withhold both the
actual identity of the reference, as well as all or some of the
reference reports and evaluations, since the comments reflected in such
documents in many cases reflect the identity of the reference. NEH
obtains and keeps such reference reports confidential to ensure that
references be given, and evaluations made, with complete candor.
Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review and Executive
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review
This action is not a significant regulatory action and was
therefore not submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review.
Executive Order 13771: Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory
Costs
This action is not expected to be an Executive Order 13771
regulatory action because this action is not significant under
Executive Order 12866.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (``PRA'')
This action does not impose an information collection burden under
the PRA. This action contains no provisions constituting a collection
of information under the PRA.
Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (``RFA'')
This action will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the RFA. This action will
not impose any requirements on small entities.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA'')
This action does not contain any unfunded mandate as described in
the UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531-1538, and does not significantly or uniquely
affect small governments.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
This action does not have federalism implications. It will not have
substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal implications as specified in
Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to
this action.
List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part [X]
Administrative practice and procedure, Privacy.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the National Endowment for
the Humanities proposes add part 1169 to 45 CFR Chapter XI Subchapter D
as follows:
PART 1169--PRIVACY ACT REGULATIONS
Sec.
1169.1 Purpose and scope.
1169.2 Definitions.
1169.3 Inquiries about NEH's systems of records or implementation of
the Privacy Act.
1169.4 Procedures for determining if an individual is the subject of
an NEH record.
1169.5 Procedures for acquiring access to NEH records pertaining to
an individual.
1169.6 Identification required when requesting access to NEH records
pertaining to an individual.
1169.7 Procedures for amending or correcting an individual's NEH
record.
1169.8 The appeals process.
[[Page 18218]]
1169.9 Fees charged to locate, review, or copy records.
1169.10 NEH systems of records that are covered by exemptions under
the Privacy Act.
1169.11 Penalties for obtaining an NEH record under false pretenses.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(f).
Sec. 1169.1 Purpose and scope.
The regulations in this part set forth NEH's procedures under the
Privacy Act, as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(f), with respect to systems
of records maintained by NEH. These regulations establish procedures by
which an individual may exercise the rights granted by the Privacy Act
to determine whether an NEH system of records contains a record
pertaining to him or her; gain access to such records; and request
correction or amendment of such records. The regulations also set
identification requirements; establish procedures by which an
individual may appeal within NEH an adverse agency determination;
prescribe fees which NEH will charge for copying records; and establish
exemptions from certain requirements of the Privacy Act for certain NEH
systems of records or parts thereof.
Sec. 1169.2 Definitions.
The definitions of the Privacy Act apply to this part. In addition,
as used in this part:
Agency means any executive department, military department,
Government corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch
of the Federal government, including the Executive Office of the
President or any independent regulatory agency;
Business day means a calendar day, excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal public holidays;
Chairperson means the Chairperson of NEH, or his or her designee;
General Counsel means the General Counsel of NEH, or his or her
designee;
Individual means any citizen of the United States or an alien
lawfully admitted for permanent residence;
Maintain means to collect, use, store, or disseminate records, as
well as any combination of these recordkeeping functions. The term also
includes exercise of control over and, therefore, responsibility and
accountability for, systems of records;
NEH means the National Endowment for the Humanities;
NEH system means a system of records maintained by NEH;
Privacy Act means the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C.
552a);
Record means any item, collection, or grouping of information about
an individual, including, but not limited to, information regarding an
individual's education, financial transactions, medical history, and
criminal or employment history and that contains the individual's name
or another identifying particular, such as a number or symbol assigned
to the individual, or his or her fingerprint, voice print, or
photograph.
Routine use means, with respect to disclosure of a record, the use
of a record for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose for which
it was collected; and
System of records means a group of records under the control of NEH
from which NEH retrieves information by use of an individual's name or
by some number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to an
individual.
Sec. 1169.3 Inquiries about NEH's systems of records or
implementation of the Privacy Act.
Inquiries about NEH's systems of records or implementation of the
Privacy Act should be sent by email to [email protected] or by mail to
the following address: National Endowment for the Humanities; Office of
the General Counsel; 400 Seventh Street SW, Fourth Floor, Washington,
DC 20506.
Sec. 1169.4 Procedures for determining if an individual is the
subject of an NEH record.
(a) NEH has published notice of its systems of records in the
Federal Register and also has made such information available on the
privacy program page of the NEH website. Any individual desiring to
know whether a specific system of records contains a record pertaining
to him or her should address such inquiries in writing to the Office of
the General Counsel at the email or physical address identified in
Sec. 1169.3.
(b) The written inquiry described above should refer to the
specific system or systems of records listed in the NEH Notice of
Systems of Records, or describe the type of record in sufficient detail
reasonably to identify the relevant system of records.
(c) At a minimum, the request should contain sufficient identifying
information to allow NEH to determine if there is a record pertaining
to the individual making the request in a particular system of records.
NEH reserves the right to solicit from an individual submitting such
inquiry proof of identification, depending upon the sensitivity of the
request.
(d) NEH will attempt to respond to an inquiry regarding whether a
record exists within 10 business days of receiving the inquiry, or 10
business days from the time any required identification is established,
whichever is later. Such a response will contain or reference the
procedures that the individual must follow in order to gain access to
any such records.
Sec. 1169.5 Procedures for acquiring access to NEH records
pertaining to an individual.
(a) An individual may request access to his or her own records
contained within an NEH system of records by writing to the Office of
the General Counsel at the email or physical address identified in
Sec. 1169.3. The individual making the request should include his or
her full name, address, email address, and telephone number. The
individual making the request should also specifically indicate whether
he or she wishes to review such records in person.
(b) The request for access to a record within a system of records
should refer to the specific system or systems of records listed in the
NEH Notice of Systems of Records within which NEH may retrieve the
individual's records, or describe the type of record in sufficient
detail such that NEH may reasonably identify the relevant system of
records. The request should further state that it is made pursuant to
the Privacy Act. In addition, the request should include any other
information which may permit NEH to identify the record for which
access is being requested, such as maiden name, dates of employment,
etc.
(c) Where an individual requests records pertaining to himself or
herself, NEH will process such request under both these regulations and
NEH's regulations implementing the Freedom of Information Act
(``FOIA''), set forth in 45 CFR part 1171, so as to provide the
greatest degree of lawful access.
(d) Upon receipt of any such request, NEH will determine whether
the records identified by the requester exist and whether they are
subject to any exemption under Sec. 1169.10. Should NEH determine that
the records are releasable under the Privacy Act and these regulations,
and upon verifying the individual's identity per Sec. 1169.6. NEH will
provide access to copies of the records by transmitting them to the
requester at the mailing or email address provided by the requester, or
by permitting the requester to inspect the records at NEH's offices
should the requester ask for in-person inspection or where the
requester is a current NEH employee.
(e) NEH will acknowledge a request for access as soon as
practicable, and in no event in less than 5 business days. Consistent
with the agency's FOIA regulations, NEH will otherwise
[[Page 18219]]
substantively answer a request for access in no less than 20 business
days, except when NEH determines otherwise, in which case NEH will
inform the person making the request of the reasons for the delay and
the estimated date by which NEH will answer the request. When NEH can
answer the request within 20 business days, the response shall include
the following:
(i) A statement that there is no record as requested or a statement
that there is no such record in the systems of records maintained by
NEH;
(ii) A statement as to whether NEH will grant access by providing a
copy of the record through the mail or email; or, where an individual
requests in-person inspection, the address of the location and the date
and time at which the record may be examined. In the event the person
requesting access is unable to meet the specified date and time, he or
she may make alternative arrangements with NEH;
(iii) The amount of fees charged, if any (see Sec. 1169.9); and
(iv) Any documentation required by NEH to verify the identity of
the person making the request.
(f) NEH will provide only one copy of each requested record, based
on the fee schedule in Sec. 1169.9.
(g) Per 5 U.S.C. 552a(h), a parent of a minor, upon presenting
suitable personal identification, may act on behalf of the minor to
gain access to any record pertaining to the minor maintained by NEH in
a system of records. A legal guardian may similarly act on behalf of an
individual declared to be incompetent due to physical or mental
incapacity or age by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon the
presentation of the documents authorizing the legal guardian to so act,
and upon suitable personal identification of the guardian.
(h) In the event NEH gains access to a record by permitting in-
person inspection, the individual to which the record pertains may be
accompanied by a person of his or her choice to review the record.
Under such circumstances, NEH may require that the individual who is
the subject of the record furnish a written statement authorizing
discussion of the record in the accompanying person's presence.
(i) In accordance with this provision, NEH will disclose medical or
psychological records pertaining to an individual to whom they pertain
unless NEH determines, in consultation with a physician, that
disclosure of such records might adversely affect the individual to
whom they pertain. Under these circumstances, NEH will disclose this
information to a licensed physician designated by such individual in
writing.
Sec. 1169.6 Identification required when requesting access to NEH
records pertaining to an individual.
(a) Before granting access to personal information under the
Privacy Act, NEH may require that the individual requesting such access
provide reasonable proof of his or her identity.
(b) Except in the case of NEH employees and those individuals who
request in-person inspection, NEH generally will endeavor to provide
access to records via mail or email. In such instances, NEH will first
confirm that the physical and/or email addresses provided by the
requester match those contained with the NEH system of records.
Depending upon the sensitivity of the records requested, and whether
the addresses match as described in the preceding sentence, NEH may
also request that the individual verify his or her identity by
providing certain minimum identifying data, such as date or place of
birth and/or copies of a valid driver's license or passport. Where the
information sought is of a particularly sensitive nature, and/or where
the individual cannot provide the minimum identifying data described
above, NEH may require that the individual seeking access submit a
notarized statement of identity or a signed statement asserting and
acknowledging that knowingly or willfully seeking or obtaining access
to records about another person under false pretenses may result in a
fine of up to $5,000.
(c) NEH will provide access by in-person examination to NEH
employees as well as to individuals who specifically request disclosure
in person. In such instances, the individual requesting disclosure may
prove identity by producing an employee identification card, driver's
license, or other license, permit or pass used for routine
identification purposes. If the individual is unable to provide
suitable documentation or identification, NEH may require that he or
she stipulate, in writing, that knowingly or willingly seeking or
obtaining access to records about another person under false pretenses
is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.
(d) Identity verification procedures shall not:
(i) Be so complicated as to discourage unnecessarily individuals
from seeking access to information about themselves;
(ii) Be required of an individual seeking access to records that
normally would be available under FOIA (see 45 CFR part 1171);
(iii) Require, as a condition to access, the provision of a social
security number, unless a social security number is the only means by
which NEH may retrieve the records that are the subject of the request;
or
(iv) Require the individual explain or justify his or her need for
access to any record under this part.
Sec. 1169.7 Procedures for amending or correcting an individual's NEH
record.
(a) Individuals are entitled to request amendments or corrections
of records pertaining to themselves pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2).
Normally, amendments to this part are limited to correcting factual
matters and not matters of official judgment, such as grant proposal
evaluations, performance ratings, promotion potential, and job
performance appraisals.
(b) Individuals may request the amendment of records pertaining to
themselves by submitting a letter in writing to the NEH Office of the
General Counsel at the email or physical address identified in Sec.
1169.3. Such letter shall include the following information:
(i) Identification of the particular record to be amended or
corrected;
(ii) The NEH system from which the record was retrieved;
(iii) The precise correction or amendment sought, preferably in the
form of an edited copy of the record reflecting the desired
modification; and
(iv) Reasons for requesting amendment or correction of the record,
including copies of available documentary evidence supporting the
request, where applicable.
(v) The individual seeking action under this provision bears the
burden of demonstrating to NEH that a record should be amended or
corrected.
(c) NEH will acknowledge a request for amendment or correction as
soon as practicable, and in no event less than 5 business days.
(d) When NEH has previously verified the individual's identity
pursuant to Sec. Sec. 1169.6(b) or 1169.6(c), it will not require
further verification of identity so long as the request for amendment
or correction does not suggest a need for additional verification. If
NEH has not previously verified the individual's identity, it may
require that the individual validate his or her identity as described
in Sec. Sec. 1169.6(b) or 1169(c).
(e) To the extent possible, NEH will render a decision upon a
request to amend a record no less than 20 business days after receiving
such a request. In the event NEH cannot render a decision within that
time frame, it will so inform the individual who made the request and
provide an expected date for a
[[Page 18220]]
decision. Any such decision will include the following information:
(i) NEH's decision whether to grant in whole, or deny any part of,
the request to amend or correct the record;
(ii) The reasons for the determination for any portion of the
request which is denied;
(iii) A statement that any denial may be appealed pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Sec. 1169.8; and
(iv) The name and address of the official to whom an individual may
submit an appeal of denial.
(f) NEH will forward requests to amend or correct a record governed
by the regulations of another agency to such agency for processing, and
inform the person who submitted such request in writing of its
referral.
Sec. 1169.8 The appeals process.
(a) An individual whose request for access to, or correction or
amendment of, a record is initially denied by NEH and who wishes to
appeal that denial may do so by sending a letter within 90 days of
receipt of the initial denial to the Chairperson. If an appeal concerns
records retrieved from the OIG's Investigative Files, the OIG will act
on the appeal and will carry out all responsibilities with respect to
Privacy Act appeals otherwise assigned to the Chairperson under this
section.
(b) The appeal letter must:
(i) Specify the records subject to the appeal;
(ii) Include the information specified in Sec. 1169.7(b);
(iii) Include copies of the correspondence from NEH in which it
initially denied the request for access, or for amendment or
correction; and
(iv) Explain why NEH's denial of access, amendment or correction
was erroneous.
(b) Appeals should be directed to the NEH Office of the General
Counsel at the physical address or email address identified in Sec.
1169.3. The Office of the General Counsel will refer the appeal letter
to the Chairperson (or his or his or her designee), or in the case of
records retrieved from NEH's OIG Investigative Files, will refer the
appeal letter to the NEH OIG.
(c) The Chairperson will review the initial request for access to,
or amendment or correction of, the record, NEH's refusal, and any other
pertinent material relating to the appeal. NEH will not hold a hearing
on the appeal.
(d) The Chairperson will render a final decision on the appeal
within 30 business days of its receipt by NEH, unless the Chairperson,
for good cause shown, extends the 30-day period. Should the Chairperson
extend the 30-day period, NEH will inform the requester of the
extension and the circumstances of the delay.
(e) In conducting appeals under this provision, the Chairperson
will be guided by the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(1) and (e)(5).
(f) NEH will notify a requester, in writing, when the Chairperson
determines to grant an appeal in whole or in part, and will grant the
requester access to his or her record, or correct or amend the record,
in accordance with the Chairperson's determination.
(g) When the Chairperson determines to deny an appeal, in whole or
in part, NEH will notify the requester in writing of the following:
(i) The basis for the decision;
(ii) That the requester may submit to NEH a concise statement
setting forth the reasons for disagreeing with NEH's decision;
(iii) The procedures for filing such statement of disagreement;
(iv) That, in a case where the Chairperson refuses a request to
amend or correct a record, NEH will make such statements of
disagreement available in subsequent disclosures of the record,
together with a statement from NEH (if deemed appropriate) summarizing
the agency's refusal; and
(v) The requester's right to seek judicial review under 5 U.S.C.
552a(g)(1)(a).
Sec. 1169.9 Fees charged to locate, review, or copy records.
(a) NEH will not charge fees for the search or review of requested
records, or the amendment or correction of records.
(b) NEH will not charge fees for providing the first copy of a
record or any portion of a record to whom the record pertains. NEH will
otherwise charge copying fees at the same rate, and using the same
procedures, that NEH has established for FOIA requests.
Sec. 1169.10 NEH systems of records that are covered by exemptions
under the Privacy Act.
(a) Pursuant to and limited by 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), the NEH system
entitled ``Office of the Inspector General Investigative Files'' shall
be exempted from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a, except for sections
(b); (c)(1) and (2); (e)(4)(A) through (F); (e)(6), (7), (9), (10), and
(11); and (i), insofar as that NEH system contains information
pertaining to criminal law enforcement investigations. NEH has
implemented this exemption because application of these provisions of
the Privacy Act might alert investigation subjects to the existence or
scope of investigations; lead to suppression, alteration, fabrication,
or destruction of evidence; disclose investigative techniques or
procedures; reduce the cooperativeness or safety of witnesses; or
otherwise impair investigations.
(b) Pursuant to and limited by 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), the NEH system
entitled ``Office of the Inspector General Investigative Files'' shall
be exempted from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d); (e)(1); (e)(4)(G), (H), and
(I); and (f), insofar as that NEH system consists of investigatory
material compiled for law enforcement purposes, other than material
within the scope of the exemption at 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
(c) Pursuant to and limited by 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), the NEH system
entitled ``Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Electronic Grant
Management System'' shall be exempted from 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3); (d);
(e)(1); (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I); and (f), insofar as that NEH system
consists of materials which would reveal the identity of references for
fellowship or grant applicants.
(d) Records on applicants for employment at NEH are covered by the
Office of Personnel Management government-wide system notice
``Recruiting, Examining, and Placement Records.'' These records are
exempted as claimed in 5 CFR 297.501(b)(7).
(e) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(5), nothing within these
regulations shall allow an individual access to any information
compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.
(f) NEH may also assert exemptions for records received from
another agency that could properly be claimed by that agency in
responding to a request.
Sec. 1169.11 Penalties for obtaining an NEH record under false
pretenses.
Under 5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(3), any person who knowingly and willfully
requests or obtains any record from NEH concerning an individual under
false pretenses shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more
than $5,000.
Dated: April 25, 2019.
Elizabeth Voyatzis,
Deputy General Counsel, National Endowment for the Humanities.
[FR Doc. 2019-08753 Filed 4-29-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7536-01-P