Proposed Information Collection Activity; Tribal Child Support Enforcement Direct Funding Request: (Office of Management and Budget #0970-0218), 70993 [2023-22630]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Administration for Children and Families

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 70993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22630]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Tribal Child Support 
Enforcement Direct Funding Request: (Office of Management and Budget 
#0970-0218)

AGENCY: Office of Child Support Services, Administration for Children 
and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), Administration 
for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting proposed revisions to an 
approved information collection the Tribal Child Support Enforcement 
Direct Funding Requests--(Office of Management and Budget (OMB) #0970-
0218, expiration March 31, 2026). We are proposing a new requirement 
for tribes or tribal organizations to provide that charging fees and 
recovering costs will not be permitted.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, ACF is 
soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information 
collection described above.

ADDRESSES: You can obtain copies of the proposed collection of 
information and submit comments by emailing [email protected]. 
Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description: The final rule within 45 CFR 
part 309, published in the Federal Register on March 30, 2004, contains 
a regulatory reporting requirement that, in order to receive funding 
for a tribal IV-D program, a tribe or tribal organization must submit a 
plan describing how the tribe or tribal organization meets or plans to 
meet the objectives of section 455(f) of the Social Security Act, 
including establishing paternity; establishing, modifying, and 
enforcing support orders; and locating noncustodial parents. The plan 
is required for all tribes requesting funding; however, once a tribe 
has met the requirements to operate a comprehensive program, a new plan 
is not required annually unless a tribe makes changes to its title IV-D 
program. If a tribe or tribal organization intends to make any 
substantial or material changes, a tribal IV-D plan amendment must be 
submitted for approval. Tribes and tribal organizations must have an 
approved plan and submit any required plan amendments to receive 
funding to operate a tribal IV-D program.
    With this request to revise an approved information collection, 
OCSS proposes a new requirement for tribes and tribal organizations to 
provide that charging fees and recovering costs will not be permitted. 
This is due to the Elimination of the Non-Federal Share notice of 
proposed rulemaking published on April 21, 2023 (see 88 FR 24526). 
Tribes and tribal organizations that charge fees and recover costs must 
submit a plan amendment demonstrating compliance with the proposed new 
requirement, in accordance with 45 CFR 309.35(d). This notice invites 
comments on this proposed change and the related burden implications. 
This would be a onetime submission that would be implemented in 
conjunction with the issuing of a Final Rule. Only three tribal child 
support programs report data on the collection of fees and recovered 
costs.
    Respondents: Tribes and tribal Organizations.

Burden Estimates

    The following burden estimates are specific to burden associated 
with the proposed change in requirement. For information about 
currently approved burden under OMB #: 0970-0218, which is not expected 
to change, see information here: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202212-0970-012.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                   Instrument                      Total number    responses per     hours per     Total burden
                                                  of respondents    respondent       response          hours
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45 CFR part 309--Plan Amendment--Charging fees                 3               1               3               9
 and recovering costs...........................
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    Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection 
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. 
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted 
within 60 days of this publication.
    Authority: Title IV-D of the Social Security Act; 45 CFR part 309.

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-22630 Filed 10-12-23; 8:45 am]
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