Department of Justice April 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is in the process of developing a new Protective (possibly including both ballistic and riot protection) Helmet Standard and corresponding certification program requirements. This work will be performed by a Special Technical Committee (STC), comprised of practitioners from the field, researchers, testing experts, certification experts, and representatives from stakeholder organizations. It is anticipated that the STC members will participate in up to twelve 2-day meetings over an 18-month time period with the goal of completing development of the standard and certification program requirements. It is anticipated that STC meetings will begin in June 2011. Travel expenses and per diem will be reimbursed for all STC meetings; however, participation time will not be funded. NIJ is seeking representatives from (1) certification bodies and (2) test laboratories with experience in programs for similar types of personal protective equipment. Additional preferred knowledge includes experience with ballistic testing or experience with law enforcement operations. There are up to four positions to be filled on the STC, and NIJ will accept the first 20 submissions for review. Interested parties are requested to nominate individuals from their organizations and submit no more than two pages describing the nominee's applicable experience, preferred knowledge, and affiliations with standards development organizations. To be considered, there must not be any conflict of interest in which the proposed STC member has a direct financial relationship with manufacturers of protective helmets. Debra Stoe is the NIJ Program Manager responsible for this work, and Jim Wong is the point of contact for Ms. Stoe. Responses to this request for proposals shall be submitted to Jim Wong at jim.wong@srnl.doe.gov by May 13, 2011. The submissions will be reviewed, and participants will be notified regarding their acceptance by May 20, 2011.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is hosting an Officer Tracking System Standard Workshop specifically to introduce manufacturers, certification bodies and test laboratories to the new Offender Tracking System Standard that is under development and to receive input and feedback. All participants are strongly encouraged to come prepared to ask questions and to voice suggestions and concerns. The workshop will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST) at the 20 F Street, NW., Conference Center, located at 20 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20001-6701. The meeting room is the Conference Room B. Space is limited at this workshop, and as a result, we request that each participating organization limit their representatives to no more than two. Participants planning to attend are responsible for their own travel arrangements and lodging. Please visit the Web site below to submit your registration request: https://www.justnet.org/Documents/NIJ-Offender-Tracking-System - Standard-Workshop-Registration-Form.pdf You will receive a response to your request within two (2) business days.

The FTC and DOJ (the ``Agencies'') are proposing an enforcement policy regarding the application of the antitrust laws to health care collaborations among otherwise independent providers and provider groups, formed after March 23, 2010, the date on which the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted, that seek to participate, or have otherwise been approved to participate, as accountable care organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare Shared Savings Program, Section 3022 of the Affordable Care Act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-48 (2010) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-52 (2010)).

The Attorney General finds it necessary to revise the Department of Justice's ``Procedures for the Administration of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.'' The revisions are needed to clarify the scope of section 5 review based on recent amendments to section 5, make technical clarifications and updates, and provide better guidance to covered jurisdictions and interested members of the public concerning current Department practices. Proposed revised Procedures were published for comment on June 11, 2010, and a 60-day comment period was provided.