Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, 68262-68266 [2021-26090]
Download as PDF
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
68262
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 228 / Wednesday, December 1, 2021 / Notices
renewal of the Patient Engagement
Advisory Committee by the
Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the
Commissioner). The Commissioner has
determined that it is in the public
interest to renew the Patient
Engagement Advisory Committee for an
additional 2 years beyond the charter
expiration date. The new charter will be
in effect until the October 6, 2023,
expiration date.
DATES: Authority for the Patient
Engagement Advisory Committee would
have expired on October 6, 2021, unless
the Commissioner had formally
determined that renewal is in the public
interest.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Letise Williams, Office of the Center
Director, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, Food and Drug
Administration, 10903 New Hampshire
Ave., Bldg. 66, Rm. 5407, Silver Spring,
MD 20993–0002, 301–796–8398,
Letise.Williams@fda.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to 41 CFR 102–3.65 and approval by the
Department of Health and Human
Services and by the General Services
Administration, FDA is announcing the
renewal of the Patient Engagement
Advisory Committee (the Committee).
The Committee is a discretionary
Federal advisory committee established
to provide advice to the Commissioner.
The Committee advises the
Commissioner or designee in
discharging responsibilities as they
relate to helping to ensure safe and
effective devices for human use and, as
required, any other product for which
the Food and Drug Administration has
regulatory responsibility.
The Committee provides advice to the
Commissioner on complex scientific
issues relating to medical devices, the
regulation of devices, and their use by
patients. Agency guidance and policies,
clinical trial or registry design, patient
preference study design, benefit-risk
determinations, device labeling, unmet
clinical needs, available alternatives,
patient reported outcomes, devicerelated quality of life measures, or
health status issues are among the topics
that may be considered by the
Committee. The Committee provides
relevant skills and perspectives to
improve communication of benefits,
risks, and clinical outcomes, and
increase integration of patient
perspectives into the regulatory process
for medical devices. It performs its
duties by identifying new approaches,
promoting innovation, recognizing
unforeseen risks or barriers, and
identifying unintended consequences
that could result from FDA policy.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Nov 30, 2021
Jkt 256001
Pursuant to its Charter the Committee
shall consist of a core of nine voting
members, including the Chair. Members
and the Chair are selected by the
Commissioner or designee from among
authorities who are knowledgeable in
areas such as clinical research, patient
experience, healthcare needs of patient
groups in the United States, or are
experienced in the work of patient and
health professional organizations,
methodologies for patient-reported
outcomes and eliciting patient
preferences, and strategies for
communicating benefits, risks and
clinical outcomes to patients and
research subjects, as well as other
relevant areas. Members will be invited
to serve for overlapping terms of up to
4 years. Non-Federal members of this
committee will serve as Special
Government Employees, representative
or Ex-Officio members. Federal
members will serve as Regular
Government Employees or Ex-Officios.
The core of voting members may
include one technically qualified
member, selected by the Commissioner
or designee, who is identified with
consumer interests and is recommended
by either a consortium of consumeroriented organizations or other
interested persons. The Commissioner
or designee shall also have the authority
to select from a group of individuals
nominated by industry to serve
temporarily as non-voting members who
are identified with industry interests.
The number of temporary members
selected for a particular meeting will
depend on the meeting topic.
The Commissioner or designee shall
also have the authority to select
members of other scientific and
technical FDA advisory committees
(normally not to exceed 10 members) to
serve temporarily as voting members
and to designate consultants to serve
temporarily as voting members when:
(1) Expertise is required that is not
available among current voting standing
members of the Committee (when
additional voting members are added to
the Committee to provide needed
expertise, a quorum will be based on the
combined total of regular and added
members), or (2) to comprise a quorum
when, because of unforeseen
circumstances, a quorum is or will be
lacking. Because of the size of the
Committee and the variety in the types
of issues that it will consider, FDA may,
in connection with a particular
committee meeting, specify a quorum
that is less than a majority of the current
voting members. The Agency’s
regulations (21 CFR 14.22(d)) authorize
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
a committee charter to specify quorum
requirements.
Further information regarding the
most recent charter and other
information can be found at https://
www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/
committees-and-meeting-materials/
patient-engagement-advisory-committee
or by contacting the Designated Federal
Officer (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT). In light of the fact that no
change has been made to the committee
name or description of duties, no
amendment will be made to 21 CFR
14.100.
This notice is issued under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. app.). For general information
related to FDA advisory committees,
please visit us at https://www.fda.gov/
AdvisoryCommittees/default.htm.
Dated: November 23, 2021.
Lauren K. Roth,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021–26118 Filed 11–30–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4164–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Administration
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Administration,
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of a new system of
records.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974,
as amended, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) is
establishing a new departmentwide
system of records, 09–90–2103,
Accommodation Records About HHS
Civilian Employees, Contractors and
Visitors.
SUMMARY:
The new system of records is
applicable December 1, 2021, subject to
a 30-day period in which to comment
on the routine uses.
ADDRESSES: The public should address
written comments by email to
beth.kramer@hhs.gov or by mail to Beth
Kramer, HHS Privacy Act Officer, FOIA/
Privacy Act Division—Suite 729H,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Public Affairs, 200 Independence Ave.
SW, Washington, DC 20201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
General questions may be submitted to
Beth Kramer, HHS Privacy Act Officer,
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM
01DEN1
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 228 / Wednesday, December 1, 2021 / Notices
by email or telephone at beth.kramer@
hhs.gov or (202) 690–6941, or by mail
addressed to: Beth Kramer, HHS Privacy
Act Officer, FOIA/Privacy Act
Division—Suite 729H, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs,
200 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This new
system of records will cover all records
used by HHS to process and determine
requests for accommodation made
verbally or in writing by HHS civilian
employees, HHS contractors, and HHS
visitors (visitors are defined in the
Categories of Individuals section of the
system of records notice).
Accommodation records about federal
civilian job applicants are covered by
the government-wide system of records
notice (SORN) published by the Office
of Personnel Management, OPM/
&GOVT–5, Recruiting, Examining, and
Placement Records, and accommodation
records about HHS Public Health
Service Commissioned Corps officers
and applicants are covered by HHS
SORN 09–40–0003 Public Health
Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps
Board Proceedings, so are not included
in this new system of records.
All types of accommodation requests
made by HHS civilian employees and
HHS contractors and visitors are
intended to be covered, including:
• Requests for accommodations based
on a medical condition under the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act),
the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (ADA), and the American with
Disabilities Act Amendments Act of
2008 (ADAA); and
• Requests for religious
accommodation under the First
Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States of America (First
Amendment), Religious Freedom
Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), or Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title
VII).
The records are used by relevant HHS
supervisors, reasonable accommodation
coordinators, equal employment
opportunity (EEO) specialists, employee
relations specialists, attorneys, medical
review personnel, contracting officers
and their representatives, and other
personnel involved in processing or
adjudicating accommodation requests.
A reasonable accommodation may be
requested by and granted to a qualified
individual with a disability in order to
allow an employee to perform the
essential functions of their position or to
enjoy the same benefits and privileges of
employment as other similarly situated
employees. A reasonable
accommodation may also be requested
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Nov 30, 2021
Jkt 256001
by and granted to an individual with a
disability to allow for participation in a
federally funded program. A religious
accommodation may be requested by
and granted to an individual to resolve
a conflict between a sincerely held
religious belief, practice, or observance
and a work requirement or requirement
for participation in a federally funded
program. An accommodation may
include a modification or adjustment to
a work requirement, the work
environment, or the way things are
customarily done by HHS.
HHS determines accommodation
requests in accordance with applicable
laws, regulations (for example, Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) regulations), Department
policies and guidance (for example,
HHS’ Personal Assistant Services (PAS)
Accommodation guidance), and any
specific guidelines of the relevant
Operating Division or Staff Division (for
example, the Administration for
Children and Families Office of
Diversity Management and EEO
Reasonable Accommodation Procedures
for Individuals with Disabilities (May
17, 2019)).
To control and limit access, use, and
disclosure of the records appropriately,
HHS may maintain disability-based
accommodation records in or with other
confidential medical files about the
same individual, or otherwise separately
from other types of records about the
same individual, to the extent possible.
Likewise, to the extent possible, HHS
maintains religious accommodation
records about an individual separately
from other types of records about the
individual. Disability information is
subject to (for example) restrictions
stated in 42 U.S.C. 12112(d)(3)(B) and
29 CFR 1630.14(d)(4)(i); and
information about how an individual
exercises rights guaranteed by the First
Amendment (which would include
information describing sincerely held
religious beliefs, practices, or
observances) is subject to the restriction
stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(7).
Prior to the date of publication, HHS
relied on an Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) governmentwide
system of records, OPM/GOVT–10
Employee Medical File System Records,
as covering disability-based
accommodation records about civilian
personnel. In recently reviewing the
Department’s systems of records HHS
determined that a new system of records
is necessary and appropriate for all
accommodation records (whether based
on a disability or a sincerely held
religious belief) about HHS civilian
employees and HHS contractors and
visitors. Accordingly, those
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
68263
accommodation records will now be
covered by new system of records 09–
90–2103.
HHS provided advance notice of the
new system of records to the Office of
Management and Budget and Congress
as required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) and OMB
Circular A–108, Federal Agency
Responsibilities for Review, Reporting,
and Publication under the Privacy Act,
81 FR 94424 (Dec. 23, 2016).
Cheryl Campbell,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
Accommodation Records About HHS
Civilian Employees, Contractors and
Visitors, 09–90–2103.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Accommodation records are collected
and managed at the HHS Operating
Division level and by the Office of Equal
Employment Opportunity, Diversity and
Inclusion (EEODI) at the Departmental
level. The addresses of the HHS
components responsible for this system
of records are as follows:
• For the Department: Office of Equal
Employment Opportunity, Diversity &
Inclusion (EEODI), 300 C Street SW,
Suite 2500, Washington, DC 20201.
• For the Public Health Service (PHS)
Commissioned Corps: Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH),
200 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20201.
• For the Office of the Secretary (OS)
(excluding the PHS Commissioned
Corps); the Administration for
Community Living (ACL); and the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Equal Employment Opportunity Service
Center (EEOSC), Mary E. Switzer
Bldg.—Suite 2500, 300 C Street SW,
Washington, DC 20201.
• For the Administration for Children
and Families: Office of Diversity
Management and Equal Employment
Opportunity (ODME), 330 C Street SW,
Suite 3018, Washington, DC 20201.
• For the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC): Office of Equal
Employment Opportunity, MS US11–
1EEO, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE,
Atlanta, GA 30329–4027.
• For the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS): Office of
Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights,
7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD
21244.
• For the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA): Medical
accommodation records: Office of
E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM
01DEN1
68264
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 228 / Wednesday, December 1, 2021 / Notices
Enterprise Management Service, 8455
Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910;
Religious belief accommodation records:
Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity, 10903 New Hampshire
Avenue, WO32–2260, Silver Spring, MD
20903–0002.
• For the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA):
Diversity and Inclusion (OCRDI), 5600
Fishers Ln., Room 14N176, Rockville,
MD 20857.
• For the Indian Health Service (IHS):
Diversity Management and Equal
Employment Opportunity Staff
(DMEEO), 5600 Fishers Ln., Mail Stop
08E61, Rockville, MD 20857.
• For the National Institutes of Health
(NIH): Access and Equity (A&E) Branch,
Division of Guidance, Education and
Marketing (GEM), Bldg. 2, Rm. 3W07, 2
Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
The System Managers to whom
individuals may submit Privacy Act
requests regarding records about them
in this system of records are as follows:
• For the Public Health Service (PHS)
Commissioned Corps: Assistant
Secretary for Health, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH),
200 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC 20201, wayne.hall@
hhs.gov.
• For the Office of the Secretary (OS)
(excluding the PHS Commissioned
Corps); the Administration for
Community Living (ACL); and the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Director, Equal Employment
Opportunity Service Center (EEOSC),
Mary E. Switzer Bldg.—Suite 2500, 300
C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201,
EEOSC.accommodations@hhs.gov.
• For the Administration for Children
and Families: OpDiv Senior Officer for
Privacy, Administration for Children
and Families, 330 C Street SW—Suite
3313A, Washington, DC 20201, ACF_
PIRT@acf.hhs.gov.
• For the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC): Deputy Director,
Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity, MS US11–1EEO, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA
30329–4027, RAInquiry@cdc.gov.
• For the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS): Director,
Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil
Rights, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore,
MD 21244,
reasonableaccommodationprogram@
cms.hhs.gov.
• For the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA): Privacy
Coordinator, Division of Information
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Nov 30, 2021
Jkt 256001
Governance/Privacy, 5630 Fishers Ln.,
Rockville, MD 20857, PrivacyOffice@
fda.hhs.gov.
• For the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA):
Accessibility Section Chief, Office of
Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion
(OCRDI), 5600 Fishers Ln., Room
14N176, Rockville, MD 20857, RARequest@hrsa.gov.
• For the Indian Health Service (IHS):
Privacy Officer, Indian Health Service,
5600 Fishers Ln., Mail Stop 09E70,
Rockville, MD 20857, heather.mcclane@
hhs.gov.
• For the National Institutes of Health
(NIH): Branch Director, Access and
Equity (A&E) Branch, Division of
Guidance, Education and Marketing
(GEM), Bldg. 2, Rm. 3W07, 2 Center Dr.,
Bethesda, MD 20892, edi.ra@nih.gov.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
29 U.S.C. 791 and 793(d); 42 U.S.C.
2000e–16, 12101 through 12117, and
12201 through 12213; and Executive
Order (E.O.) 13164, Establishing
Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of
Reasonable Accommodation, 65 FR
46565 (July 26, 2000).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
The purpose of this system of records
is to document, track, and support the
adjudication of two types of verbal and
written requests for accommodation,
i.e., disability-based requests and
religious-based requests; and to provide
data for accommodation program
reporting and evaluation purposes. The
ultimate purpose of the records is to
allow HHS to provide legally required
accommodations to individuals with
disabilities and sincerely held religious
beliefs.
The records are used by relevant HHS
supervisors, reasonable accommodation
coordinators, equal employment
opportunity (EEO) specialists, employee
relations specialists, attorneys, medical
review personnel, contracting officers
and their representatives, and other
personnel involved in processing or
adjudicating accommodation requests.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE
SYSTEM:
The categories of individuals are HHS
civilian employees and HHS contractors
and visitors who make accommodation
requests, verbally or in writing, to HHS.
For purposes of this system of
records, visitors are individuals who
seek to access an HHS facility or to
participate in an HHS-sponsored
federally funded meeting, event,
medical trial, or other program but are
neither HHS employees nor HHS
contractors. Visitors may include
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
employees and contractors of other
federal agencies, guest speakers
participating in an HHS-hosted meeting
or training event, members of the public
attending an HHS-hosted meeting,
participants in medical trials, interns,
detailees, student volunteers, visiting
scientists, intramural research trainees,
fellows, or other non-employees
performing work for HHS.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The system of records includes all
records that may support a
determination regarding an
accommodation request.
The categories of records include:
• Documentation of the original
request, whether made verbally or in
writing.
• Records submitted by the
individual in support of a request for
reasonable accommodation based on
disability, such as records describing
the individual’s medical conditions and
the accommodation requested.
• Records submitted by the
individual in support of a request for
religious accommodation, such as
records describing the individual’s
religious beliefs, practices, or
observances, explaining the conflict(s)
experienced by the individual with a
particular HHS practice, policy, custom,
or environment, and describing the
accommodation requested.
• Correspondence from professionals
such as physicians who know the
individual and provide information
supporting the individual’s request for
the accommodation.
• Notes memorializing verbal
conversations.
• Records of consultations with third
parties within or outside the agency
who provide technical assistance to the
agency.
• Communications about the
substance of the request, the processing
of the request, and burdens and other
issues identified.
• Records of the agency’s analysis,
adjudication, and determination of the
request.
• Records associated with requests for
reconsideration or appeal, if
appropriate.
• Notices provided to the individual
about the agency’s determination and
agency procedures for reconsideration
or other appeal processes, if applicable.
• Records documenting any
accommodation provided.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The records are provided by the
individual making the request, by HHS
personnel involved in processing or
adjudicating the request (including
E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM
01DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 228 / Wednesday, December 1, 2021 / Notices
supervisors, reasonable accommodation
coordinators, equal employment
opportunity (EEO) specialists, employee
relation specialists, attorneys, medical
review personnel, and contracting
officers and their representatives), and
by others furnishing records pertinent to
the request (such as, the individual’s
medical professionals, or technical
experts).
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE
SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND
PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
In addition to other disclosures
authorized directly in the Privacy Act at
5 U.S.C. 552a(b)((1) and (2) and (b)(4)
through (11), HHS may disclose a record
about an individual from this system of
records to parties outside HHS as
described in the following routine uses,
without the individual’s prior written
consent:
1. HHS may disclose records about
individuals’ accommodation requests to
a contractor or agent engaged by HHS to
assist in administering aspects of
accommodation request handling,
including information technology (IT)
system support contractors, when it is
necessary for the contractor or agent to
have access to the records to provide
that assistance.
2. HHS may disclose relevant
information about an HHS employee’s
accommodation request to a labor
organization recognized under E.O.
11491 Labor Management Relations in
the Federal Service or 5 U.S.C. Chapter
71 upon receipt of a formal request from
the labor organization and in accord
with the conditions of 5 U.S.C. 7114
when a contract between the labor
organization and an HHS component
provides that the component will
disclose personal information relevant
and necessary to the labor organization’s
mission or duties of exclusive
representation concerning personnel
policies and practices and matters
affecting working conditions.
3. HHS may disclose to an HHS
contractor’s employer the existence,
status, and determination of the
contractor’s accommodation request, but
not records that reveal whether the
request is based on a medical condition
or a religious conflict.
4. HHS may disclose relevant records
about a federal employee’s
accommodation request to an
authorized appeal grievance examiner,
formal complaint examiner,
administrative judge, equal employment
opportunity investigator, arbitrator, or
other authorized official engaged in
investigation or settlement of a
grievance, complaint, or appeal filed by
an employee; however, most such
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Nov 30, 2021
Jkt 256001
disclosures will be authorized by the
individual’s prior, written consent.
5. HHS may disclose relevant
accommodation records about a federal
employee to any of the following
agencies or entities when needed by the
agency or entity to discharge its belowdescribed role:
a. To the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) to evaluate the
individual’s application for disability
retirement.
b. To the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to
investigate, adjudicate, and litigate the
individual’s complaint of employment
discrimination or to ensure compliance
by HHS under 29 CFR part
1630.14(b)(1)(iii)).
c. To the Merit Systems Protection
Board (MSPB) to adjudicate and litigate
the individual’s appeal of a personnel
action.
d. To the Office of Special Counsel
(OSC) in order to investigate claims of
prohibited personnel practices against
HHS.
e. To the Federal Labor Relations
Authority (FLRA) to evaluate and
arbitrate a claim of unfair labor practices
against HHS.
f. To the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service (FMCS) or other
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or
arbitration service to conduct a
confidential mediation between HHS
management and employees or between
the individual and HHS.
6. A record may be disclosed to the
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) or to a
court or other adjudicative body in
litigation or administrative proceedings
when (1) HHS or any component
thereof; or (2) any employee of HHS
acting in the employee’s official
capacity; or (3) any employee of HHS
acting in the employee’s individual
capacity where the DOJ or HHS has
agreed to represent the employee; or (4)
the United States Government, is a party
to the proceedings or has an interest in
the proceedings and, by careful review,
HHS determines that the record is both
relevant and necessary to DOJ’s
representation or to the proceedings.
7. Records may be disclosed to a
congressional office in response to an
inquiry from the congressional office
made at the written request of the
subject individual.
8. Records may be disclosed to
representatives of the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA) in
records management inspections
conducted pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2904
and 2906.
9. Records may be disclosed to
appropriate agencies, entities, and
persons when (1) HHS suspects or has
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
68265
confirmed that there has been a breach
of the system of records, (2) HHS has
determined that as a result of the
suspected or confirmed breach there is
a risk of harm to individuals, HHS
(including its information systems,
programs, and operations), the federal
government, or national security, and
(3) the disclosure made to such
agencies, entities, and persons is
reasonably necessary to assist in
connection with HHS’ efforts to respond
to the suspected or confirmed breach or
to prevent, minimize, or remedy such
harm.
10. Records may be disclosed to
another federal agency or federal entity,
when HHS determines that information
from this system of records is
reasonably necessary to assist the
recipient agency or entity in (1)
responding to a suspected or confirmed
breach or (2) preventing, minimizing, or
remedying the risk of harm to
individuals, the recipient agency or
entity (including its information
systems, programs, and operations), the
federal government, or national security,
resulting from a suspected or confirmed
breach.
Any other disclosures require the
individual’s prior written consent.
Note also that if an individual’s
accommodation records become part of
a related proceeding covered by a
different System of Records Notice
(SORN), the records will be subject to
disclosures under routine uses
published in that SORN (see, for
example: 09–90–0009 Discrimination
Complaint Records; 09–90–0069 Unfair
Labor Practice Records; EEOC/GOVT–1
Equal Employment Opportunity in the
Federal Government Complaint and
Appeals Records; MSPB/GOVT–1
Appeals and Case Records; and 09–90–
0062 Administrative Claims).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF
RECORDS:
All records (including those received
in paper form) are stored in electronic
media to comply with OMB
Memorandum M–19–21, Transition to
Electronic Records (June 28, 2019).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF
RECORDS:
The records are retrieved by the
subject individual’s name, assigned case
number (if any), or HHS identification
number (if applicable).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND
DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Accommodation records about federal
employees are retained and disposed of
in accordance with the following
disposition authorities:
E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM
01DEN1
68266
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 228 / Wednesday, December 1, 2021 / Notices
• General Records Schedule (GRS)
2.2 Employee Management Records,
Item 080, supervisor’s personnel files
(these include employee medical
documents until replaced by the
agency’s accommodation decision, and
exclude records that become part of a
grievance file, an appeal or
discrimination complaint file, a
performance-based reduction-in-grade
or removal action, or an adverse action,
which are governed by GRS 2.3
Employee Relations Records): Review
annually and destroy superseded
documents. Destroy remaining
documents one year after employee
separation or transfer.
• GRS 2.3 Employee Relations
Records, Item 020, reasonable
accommodation case files: Destroy three
years after employee separation from the
agency or after all appeals are
concluded, whichever is later, but
longer retention is authorized if
required for business use.
Accommodation records about federal
contractors are retained and disposed of
in accordance with the following
disposition authority:
• GRS 2.3 Employee Relations
Records, Item 120, records documenting
contractor compliance with EEO
regulations: Destroy when 7 years old,
but longer retention is authorized if
required for business use.
Accommodation records about HHS
visitors who are neither federal
employees nor federal contractors are
currently unscheduled and will be
retained indefinitely until authorized
for disposition under a schedule
approved by the National Archives and
Records Administration.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL
SAFEGUARDS:
Safeguards conform to the HHS
Information Security and Privacy
Program, https://www.hhs.gov/ocio/
securityprivacy/, including
the HHS Information Security and
Privacy Policy (IS2P), which ensures
that information is safeguarded in
accordance with applicable federal
laws, rules, and policies, including: 44
U.S.C. 3541 through 3549 and 3551
through 3558; all pertinent National
Institutes of Standards and Technology
(NIST) publications; and OMB Circular
A–130, Managing Information as a
Strategic Resource, 81 FR 49689 (July
28, 2016).
Records are protected from
unauthorized access through
appropriate administrative, physical,
and technical safeguards. These
safeguards include protecting the
facilities where records are received and
electronically stored with security
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:08 Nov 30, 2021
Jkt 256001
guards, identification badges, and
cameras; securing any hard copies in
locked file cabinets, file rooms or offices
during off-duty hours; requiring
contractors to maintain appropriate
safeguards and to comply with the
Privacy Act with respect to the records;
limiting authorized users’ access to
electronic records based on role and
either two-factor authentication or
password protection; requiring
passwords to be complex and to be
changed frequently; using a secured
operating system protected by
encryption, firewalls, and intrusion
detection systems; maintaining an
activity log of users’ access; requiring
encryption for any records stored or
accessed on removable media; training
personnel in Privacy Act and
information security requirements; and
reviewing security controls on an
ongoing basis.
To control and limit access, use, and
disclosure of the records appropriately,
HHS may maintain disability-based
accommodation records in or with other
confidential medical files about the
same individual, or otherwise separately
from other types of records about the
same individual, to the extent possible.
Likewise, to the extent possible, HHS
maintains religious accommodation
records about an individual separately
from other types of records about the
individual.
Individuals may request access to
records about them in this system of
records by submitting a written access
request to the System Manager
identified in the ‘‘System Manager’’
section of this SORN. The request must
contain the requester’s full name, home
or work address, date of birth, signature,
and assigned case identification number
(if any) and must identify the employing
or hiring component pertinent to the
request. To verify the requester’s
identity, the signature must be notarized
or the request must include the
requester’s written certification that the
requester is the individual who the
requester claims to be and that the
requester understands that the knowing
and willful request for or acquisition of
a record pertaining to an individual
under false pretenses is a criminal
offense subject to a fine of up to $5,000.
To access the records in person, the
requester should make an appointment,
and may be accompanied by a person of
the requester’s choosing if the requester
provides written authorization for
agency personnel to discuss the records
in that person’s presensce. An
individual may also request an
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Individuals may seek to amend
records about them in this system of
records by submitting an amendment
request to the System Manager
identified in the ‘‘System Manager’’
section of this SORN, containing the
same information required for an access
request. The request must include
verification of the requester’s identity in
the same manner required for an access
request; must reasonably identify the
record and specify the information
contested, the corrective action sought,
and the reasons for requesting the
correction; and should include
supporting information to show how the
record is not accurate, complete, timely,
or relevant.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Individuals who wish to know if this
system of records contains records about
them should submit a notification
request to the System Manager
identified in the ‘‘System Manager’’
section of this SORN. The request must
contain the same information required
for an access request and must include
verification of the requester’s identity in
the same manner required for an access
request.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
PO 00000
accounting of disclosures that have been
made of the records, if any.
HISTORY:
None.
[FR Doc. 2021–26090 Filed 11–30–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151–17–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases; Notice of
Meetings
Pursuant to section 10(d) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as
amended, notice is hereby given of
meetings of the National Advisory
Allergy and Infectious Diseases Council.
The meeting will be open to the
public. The open session will be
videocast and can be accessed from the
NIH Videocasting and Podcasting
website (https://videocast.nih.gov).
Individuals who need special
assistance, such as sign language
interpretation or other reasonable
accommodations, should notify the
Contact Person listed below in advance
of the meeting.
E:\FR\FM\01DEN1.SGM
01DEN1
Agencies
- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 228 (Wednesday, December 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68262-68266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26090]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act of
1974, as amended, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) is establishing a new departmentwide system of records, 09-90-
2103, Accommodation Records About HHS Civilian Employees, Contractors
and Visitors.
DATES: The new system of records is applicable December 1, 2021,
subject to a 30-day period in which to comment on the routine uses.
ADDRESSES: The public should address written comments by email to
[email protected] or by mail to Beth Kramer, HHS Privacy Act Officer,
FOIA/Privacy Act Division--Suite 729H, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Public Affairs, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC
20201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General questions may be submitted to
Beth Kramer, HHS Privacy Act Officer,
[[Page 68263]]
by email or telephone at [email protected] or (202) 690-6941, or by
mail addressed to: Beth Kramer, HHS Privacy Act Officer, FOIA/Privacy
Act Division--Suite 729H, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public
Affairs, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This new system of records will cover all
records used by HHS to process and determine requests for accommodation
made verbally or in writing by HHS civilian employees, HHS contractors,
and HHS visitors (visitors are defined in the Categories of Individuals
section of the system of records notice). Accommodation records about
federal civilian job applicants are covered by the government-wide
system of records notice (SORN) published by the Office of Personnel
Management, OPM/&GOVT-5, Recruiting, Examining, and Placement Records,
and accommodation records about HHS Public Health Service Commissioned
Corps officers and applicants are covered by HHS SORN 09-40-0003 Public
Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps Board Proceedings, so are not
included in this new system of records.
All types of accommodation requests made by HHS civilian employees
and HHS contractors and visitors are intended to be covered, including:
Requests for accommodations based on a medical condition
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehab Act), the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the American with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAA); and
Requests for religious accommodation under the First
Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America (First
Amendment), Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA), or Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).
The records are used by relevant HHS supervisors, reasonable
accommodation coordinators, equal employment opportunity (EEO)
specialists, employee relations specialists, attorneys, medical review
personnel, contracting officers and their representatives, and other
personnel involved in processing or adjudicating accommodation
requests.
A reasonable accommodation may be requested by and granted to a
qualified individual with a disability in order to allow an employee to
perform the essential functions of their position or to enjoy the same
benefits and privileges of employment as other similarly situated
employees. A reasonable accommodation may also be requested by and
granted to an individual with a disability to allow for participation
in a federally funded program. A religious accommodation may be
requested by and granted to an individual to resolve a conflict between
a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance and a work
requirement or requirement for participation in a federally funded
program. An accommodation may include a modification or adjustment to a
work requirement, the work environment, or the way things are
customarily done by HHS.
HHS determines accommodation requests in accordance with applicable
laws, regulations (for example, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) regulations), Department policies and guidance (for example,
HHS' Personal Assistant Services (PAS) Accommodation guidance), and any
specific guidelines of the relevant Operating Division or Staff
Division (for example, the Administration for Children and Families
Office of Diversity Management and EEO Reasonable Accommodation
Procedures for Individuals with Disabilities (May 17, 2019)).
To control and limit access, use, and disclosure of the records
appropriately, HHS may maintain disability-based accommodation records
in or with other confidential medical files about the same individual,
or otherwise separately from other types of records about the same
individual, to the extent possible. Likewise, to the extent possible,
HHS maintains religious accommodation records about an individual
separately from other types of records about the individual. Disability
information is subject to (for example) restrictions stated in 42
U.S.C. 12112(d)(3)(B) and 29 CFR 1630.14(d)(4)(i); and information
about how an individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First
Amendment (which would include information describing sincerely held
religious beliefs, practices, or observances) is subject to the
restriction stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(7).
Prior to the date of publication, HHS relied on an Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) governmentwide system of records, OPM/GOVT-
10 Employee Medical File System Records, as covering disability-based
accommodation records about civilian personnel. In recently reviewing
the Department's systems of records HHS determined that a new system of
records is necessary and appropriate for all accommodation records
(whether based on a disability or a sincerely held religious belief)
about HHS civilian employees and HHS contractors and visitors.
Accordingly, those accommodation records will now be covered by new
system of records 09-90-2103.
HHS provided advance notice of the new system of records to the
Office of Management and Budget and Congress as required by 5 U.S.C.
552a(r) and OMB Circular A-108, Federal Agency Responsibilities for
Review, Reporting, and Publication under the Privacy Act, 81 FR 94424
(Dec. 23, 2016).
Cheryl Campbell,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
Accommodation Records About HHS Civilian Employees, Contractors and
Visitors, 09-90-2103.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
Unclassified.
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Accommodation records are collected and managed at the HHS
Operating Division level and by the Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEODI) at the Departmental level.
The addresses of the HHS components responsible for this system of
records are as follows:
For the Department: Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion (EEODI), 300 C Street SW, Suite
2500, Washington, DC 20201.
For the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), 200 Independence
Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201.
For the Office of the Secretary (OS) (excluding the PHS
Commissioned Corps); the Administration for Community Living (ACL); and
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Equal Employment Opportunity Service Center (EEOSC), Mary E. Switzer
Bldg.--Suite 2500, 300 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201.
For the Administration for Children and Families: Office
of Diversity Management and Equal Employment Opportunity (ODME), 330 C
Street SW, Suite 3018, Washington, DC 20201.
For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, MS US11-1EEO, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-
4027.
For the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, 7500 Security Blvd.,
Baltimore, MD 21244.
For the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Medical
accommodation records: Office of
[[Page 68264]]
Enterprise Management Service, 8455 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD
20910; Religious belief accommodation records: Office of Equal
Employment Opportunity, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, WO32-2260, Silver
Spring, MD 20903-0002.
For the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA): Diversity and Inclusion (OCRDI), 5600 Fishers Ln., Room 14N176,
Rockville, MD 20857.
For the Indian Health Service (IHS): Diversity Management
and Equal Employment Opportunity Staff (DMEEO), 5600 Fishers Ln., Mail
Stop 08E61, Rockville, MD 20857.
For the National Institutes of Health (NIH): Access and
Equity (A&E) Branch, Division of Guidance, Education and Marketing
(GEM), Bldg. 2, Rm. 3W07, 2 Center Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892.
SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
The System Managers to whom individuals may submit Privacy Act
requests regarding records about them in this system of records are as
follows:
For the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps:
Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Health (OASH), 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201,
[email protected].
For the Office of the Secretary (OS) (excluding the PHS
Commissioned Corps); the Administration for Community Living (ACL); and
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Service Center (EEOSC), Mary E.
Switzer Bldg.--Suite 2500, 300 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201,
[email protected].
For the Administration for Children and Families: OpDiv
Senior Officer for Privacy, Administration for Children and Families,
330 C Street SW--Suite 3313A, Washington, DC 20201,
[email protected].
For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Deputy Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, MS US11-1EEO,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE,
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, [email protected].
For the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, 7500 Security
Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244, [email protected].
For the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Privacy
Coordinator, Division of Information Governance/Privacy, 5630 Fishers
Ln., Rockville, MD 20857, [email protected].
For the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA): Accessibility Section Chief, Office of Civil Rights, Diversity
and Inclusion (OCRDI), 5600 Fishers Ln., Room 14N176, Rockville, MD
20857, [email protected].
For the Indian Health Service (IHS): Privacy Officer,
Indian Health Service, 5600 Fishers Ln., Mail Stop 09E70, Rockville, MD
20857, [email protected].
For the National Institutes of Health (NIH): Branch
Director, Access and Equity (A&E) Branch, Division of Guidance,
Education and Marketing (GEM), Bldg. 2, Rm. 3W07, 2 Center Dr.,
Bethesda, MD 20892, [email protected].
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
29 U.S.C. 791 and 793(d); 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16, 12101 through 12117,
and 12201 through 12213; and Executive Order (E.O.) 13164, Establishing
Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation, 65
FR 46565 (July 26, 2000).
PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
The purpose of this system of records is to document, track, and
support the adjudication of two types of verbal and written requests
for accommodation, i.e., disability-based requests and religious-based
requests; and to provide data for accommodation program reporting and
evaluation purposes. The ultimate purpose of the records is to allow
HHS to provide legally required accommodations to individuals with
disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs.
The records are used by relevant HHS supervisors, reasonable
accommodation coordinators, equal employment opportunity (EEO)
specialists, employee relations specialists, attorneys, medical review
personnel, contracting officers and their representatives, and other
personnel involved in processing or adjudicating accommodation
requests.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
The categories of individuals are HHS civilian employees and HHS
contractors and visitors who make accommodation requests, verbally or
in writing, to HHS.
For purposes of this system of records, visitors are individuals
who seek to access an HHS facility or to participate in an HHS-
sponsored federally funded meeting, event, medical trial, or other
program but are neither HHS employees nor HHS contractors. Visitors may
include employees and contractors of other federal agencies, guest
speakers participating in an HHS-hosted meeting or training event,
members of the public attending an HHS-hosted meeting, participants in
medical trials, interns, detailees, student volunteers, visiting
scientists, intramural research trainees, fellows, or other non-
employees performing work for HHS.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The system of records includes all records that may support a
determination regarding an accommodation request.
The categories of records include:
Documentation of the original request, whether made
verbally or in writing.
Records submitted by the individual in support of a
request for reasonable accommodation based on disability, such as
records describing the individual's medical conditions and the
accommodation requested.
Records submitted by the individual in support of a
request for religious accommodation, such as records describing the
individual's religious beliefs, practices, or observances, explaining
the conflict(s) experienced by the individual with a particular HHS
practice, policy, custom, or environment, and describing the
accommodation requested.
Correspondence from professionals such as physicians who
know the individual and provide information supporting the individual's
request for the accommodation.
Notes memorializing verbal conversations.
Records of consultations with third parties within or
outside the agency who provide technical assistance to the agency.
Communications about the substance of the request, the
processing of the request, and burdens and other issues identified.
Records of the agency's analysis, adjudication, and
determination of the request.
Records associated with requests for reconsideration or
appeal, if appropriate.
Notices provided to the individual about the agency's
determination and agency procedures for reconsideration or other appeal
processes, if applicable.
Records documenting any accommodation provided.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The records are provided by the individual making the request, by
HHS personnel involved in processing or adjudicating the request
(including
[[Page 68265]]
supervisors, reasonable accommodation coordinators, equal employment
opportunity (EEO) specialists, employee relation specialists,
attorneys, medical review personnel, and contracting officers and their
representatives), and by others furnishing records pertinent to the
request (such as, the individual's medical professionals, or technical
experts).
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES
OF USERS AND PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
In addition to other disclosures authorized directly in the Privacy
Act at 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)((1) and (2) and (b)(4) through (11), HHS may
disclose a record about an individual from this system of records to
parties outside HHS as described in the following routine uses, without
the individual's prior written consent:
1. HHS may disclose records about individuals' accommodation
requests to a contractor or agent engaged by HHS to assist in
administering aspects of accommodation request handling, including
information technology (IT) system support contractors, when it is
necessary for the contractor or agent to have access to the records to
provide that assistance.
2. HHS may disclose relevant information about an HHS employee's
accommodation request to a labor organization recognized under E.O.
11491 Labor Management Relations in the Federal Service or 5 U.S.C.
Chapter 71 upon receipt of a formal request from the labor organization
and in accord with the conditions of 5 U.S.C. 7114 when a contract
between the labor organization and an HHS component provides that the
component will disclose personal information relevant and necessary to
the labor organization's mission or duties of exclusive representation
concerning personnel policies and practices and matters affecting
working conditions.
3. HHS may disclose to an HHS contractor's employer the existence,
status, and determination of the contractor's accommodation request,
but not records that reveal whether the request is based on a medical
condition or a religious conflict.
4. HHS may disclose relevant records about a federal employee's
accommodation request to an authorized appeal grievance examiner,
formal complaint examiner, administrative judge, equal employment
opportunity investigator, arbitrator, or other authorized official
engaged in investigation or settlement of a grievance, complaint, or
appeal filed by an employee; however, most such disclosures will be
authorized by the individual's prior, written consent.
5. HHS may disclose relevant accommodation records about a federal
employee to any of the following agencies or entities when needed by
the agency or entity to discharge its below-described role:
a. To the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to evaluate the
individual's application for disability retirement.
b. To the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to
investigate, adjudicate, and litigate the individual's complaint of
employment discrimination or to ensure compliance by HHS under 29 CFR
part 1630.14(b)(1)(iii)).
c. To the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to adjudicate and
litigate the individual's appeal of a personnel action.
d. To the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in order to investigate
claims of prohibited personnel practices against HHS.
e. To the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to evaluate and
arbitrate a claim of unfair labor practices against HHS.
f. To the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) or
other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or arbitration service to
conduct a confidential mediation between HHS management and employees
or between the individual and HHS.
6. A record may be disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ) or to a court or other adjudicative body in litigation or
administrative proceedings when (1) HHS or any component thereof; or
(2) any employee of HHS acting in the employee's official capacity; or
(3) any employee of HHS acting in the employee's individual capacity
where the DOJ or HHS has agreed to represent the employee; or (4) the
United States Government, is a party to the proceedings or has an
interest in the proceedings and, by careful review, HHS determines that
the record is both relevant and necessary to DOJ's representation or to
the proceedings.
7. Records may be disclosed to a congressional office in response
to an inquiry from the congressional office made at the written request
of the subject individual.
8. Records may be disclosed to representatives of the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in records management
inspections conducted pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
9. Records may be disclosed to appropriate agencies, entities, and
persons when (1) HHS suspects or has confirmed that there has been a
breach of the system of records, (2) HHS has determined that as a
result of the suspected or confirmed breach there is a risk of harm to
individuals, HHS (including its information systems, programs, and
operations), the federal government, or national security, and (3) the
disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is reasonably
necessary to assist in connection with HHS' efforts to respond to the
suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, minimize, or remedy such
harm.
10. Records may be disclosed to another federal agency or federal
entity, when HHS determines that information from this system of
records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or
entity in (1) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2)
preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals,
the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems,
programs, and operations), the federal government, or national
security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.
Any other disclosures require the individual's prior written
consent.
Note also that if an individual's accommodation records become part
of a related proceeding covered by a different System of Records Notice
(SORN), the records will be subject to disclosures under routine uses
published in that SORN (see, for example: 09-90-0009 Discrimination
Complaint Records; 09-90-0069 Unfair Labor Practice Records; EEOC/GOVT-
1 Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government Complaint and
Appeals Records; MSPB/GOVT-1 Appeals and Case Records; and 09-90-0062
Administrative Claims).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
All records (including those received in paper form) are stored in
electronic media to comply with OMB Memorandum M-19-21, Transition to
Electronic Records (June 28, 2019).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
The records are retrieved by the subject individual's name,
assigned case number (if any), or HHS identification number (if
applicable).
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
Accommodation records about federal employees are retained and
disposed of in accordance with the following disposition authorities:
[[Page 68266]]
General Records Schedule (GRS) 2.2 Employee Management
Records, Item 080, supervisor's personnel files (these include employee
medical documents until replaced by the agency's accommodation
decision, and exclude records that become part of a grievance file, an
appeal or discrimination complaint file, a performance-based reduction-
in-grade or removal action, or an adverse action, which are governed by
GRS 2.3 Employee Relations Records): Review annually and destroy
superseded documents. Destroy remaining documents one year after
employee separation or transfer.
GRS 2.3 Employee Relations Records, Item 020, reasonable
accommodation case files: Destroy three years after employee separation
from the agency or after all appeals are concluded, whichever is later,
but longer retention is authorized if required for business use.
Accommodation records about federal contractors are retained and
disposed of in accordance with the following disposition authority:
GRS 2.3 Employee Relations Records, Item 120, records
documenting contractor compliance with EEO regulations: Destroy when 7
years old, but longer retention is authorized if required for business
use.
Accommodation records about HHS visitors who are neither federal
employees nor federal contractors are currently unscheduled and will be
retained indefinitely until authorized for disposition under a schedule
approved by the National Archives and Records Administration.
ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
Safeguards conform to the HHS Information Security and Privacy
Program, https://www.hhs.gov/ocio/securityprivacy/, including
the HHS Information Security and Privacy Policy (IS2P), which ensures
that information is safeguarded in accordance with applicable federal
laws, rules, and policies, including: 44 U.S.C. 3541 through 3549 and
3551 through 3558; all pertinent National Institutes of Standards and
Technology (NIST) publications; and OMB Circular A-130, Managing
Information as a Strategic Resource, 81 FR 49689 (July 28, 2016).
Records are protected from unauthorized access through appropriate
administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. These safeguards
include protecting the facilities where records are received and
electronically stored with security guards, identification badges, and
cameras; securing any hard copies in locked file cabinets, file rooms
or offices during off-duty hours; requiring contractors to maintain
appropriate safeguards and to comply with the Privacy Act with respect
to the records; limiting authorized users' access to electronic records
based on role and either two-factor authentication or password
protection; requiring passwords to be complex and to be changed
frequently; using a secured operating system protected by encryption,
firewalls, and intrusion detection systems; maintaining an activity log
of users' access; requiring encryption for any records stored or
accessed on removable media; training personnel in Privacy Act and
information security requirements; and reviewing security controls on
an ongoing basis.
To control and limit access, use, and disclosure of the records
appropriately, HHS may maintain disability-based accommodation records
in or with other confidential medical files about the same individual,
or otherwise separately from other types of records about the same
individual, to the extent possible. Likewise, to the extent possible,
HHS maintains religious accommodation records about an individual
separately from other types of records about the individual.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals may request access to records about them in this system
of records by submitting a written access request to the System Manager
identified in the ``System Manager'' section of this SORN. The request
must contain the requester's full name, home or work address, date of
birth, signature, and assigned case identification number (if any) and
must identify the employing or hiring component pertinent to the
request. To verify the requester's identity, the signature must be
notarized or the request must include the requester's written
certification that the requester is the individual who the requester
claims to be and that the requester understands that the knowing and
willful request for or acquisition of a record pertaining to an
individual under false pretenses is a criminal offense subject to a
fine of up to $5,000. To access the records in person, the requester
should make an appointment, and may be accompanied by a person of the
requester's choosing if the requester provides written authorization
for agency personnel to discuss the records in that person's presensce.
An individual may also request an accounting of disclosures that have
been made of the records, if any.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
Individuals may seek to amend records about them in this system of
records by submitting an amendment request to the System Manager
identified in the ``System Manager'' section of this SORN, containing
the same information required for an access request. The request must
include verification of the requester's identity in the same manner
required for an access request; must reasonably identify the record and
specify the information contested, the corrective action sought, and
the reasons for requesting the correction; and should include
supporting information to show how the record is not accurate,
complete, timely, or relevant.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Individuals who wish to know if this system of records contains
records about them should submit a notification request to the System
Manager identified in the ``System Manager'' section of this SORN. The
request must contain the same information required for an access
request and must include verification of the requester's identity in
the same manner required for an access request.
EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
HISTORY:
None.
[FR Doc. 2021-26090 Filed 11-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-17-P