Department of Labor May 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Authorization for Release of Medical Information (CM-936). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Blasting Operations and Use of Explosives Standard,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

ETA is publishing for public information, notice of issuance and availability of TEGL No. 10-11, signed by Jane Oates, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training on November 18, 2011, which assists State Workforce Agencies or agencies designated by governors as ``Cooperating State Agencies'' (CSAs) (also jointly referred to as ``states'') in implementing the provisions of the TAAEA enacted on October 21, 2011. The TAAEA amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, restoring (with some exceptions) the expanded certification criteria and benefits and services provided under the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Act of 2009.

The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is withdrawing its proposed rule published on September 2, 2011, 76 FR 54836, which provided the public with notice of and the opportunity to submit written comments on its proposal to amend its child labor regulations which protect children from employment in particularly hazardous occupations.

The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data for quarterly financial reporting on federally funded programs, on Form ETA-9130 (due to expire November 30, 2012).

The Department of Labor, in collaboration with the Department of Education, announces that eight states are eligible to apply for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (Pub. L. 105-220, 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) incentive grant awards authorized by section 503 of the WIA.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirement contained in the Standard on Reports of Injuries to Employees Operating Mechanical Power Presses (29 CFR 1910.217(g)).

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade Representative have taken steps to renew the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy. The Committee will be chartered pursuant to section 135(c)(1) and (2) of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2155(c) (1) and (2), as amended by section 1103 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, Public Law 96-39, 93 Stat. 144, 308 (1979), section 1631 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, Public Law 100-418, 102 Stat. 1107, 1264 (1988); and Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 971 (which delegates certain Presidential responsibilities conferred in section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 to the United States Trade Representative). Purpose: The Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy consults with and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade Representative on general policy matters concerning labor and trade negotiations, operations of any trade agreement once entered into, and other matters arising in connection with the administration of the trade policy of the United States. The renewal of the charter of the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy is necessary and in the public interest and will provide information that cannot be obtained from other sources. The Committee shall provide its views to the Secretary of Labor and the Unites States Trade Representative through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Committee will comprise no more than 30 members representing the labor community. The Committee will meet at irregular intervals at the call of the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade Representative.

The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, ETA is soliciting comments concerning extension of approval for the collection of applicant data for the Veterans' Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), which is part of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (Pub. L. 112-56). VRAP is a new training program for eligible veterans, funded by the Veterans' Administration. To determine eligibility, the Act directs ETA to collect the following information from veteran applicants: Age, employment status, status in a Federal or state job training program within 180 days of the application, and date of application. This information collection follows an emergency review that was conducted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR 1320.13. OMB approved the emergency request on April 11, 2012. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this notice.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR Part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards codified in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment, Training and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO). The ACVETEO will discuss Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Services' (VETS) core programs and new initiatives regarding efforts that assist Veterans seeking employment and raise employer awareness as to the advantages of hiring Veterans. There will be an opportunity for persons or organizations to address the committee. Any individual or organization that wishes to do so should contact Mr. Gregory Green (202) 693-4734. Time constraints may limit the number of outside participants/presentations. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should notify the Advisory Committee no later than Monday, June 11, 2012 by contacting Mr. Gregory Green (202) 693-4734. Requests made after this date will be reviewed, but availability of the requested accommodations cannot be guaranteed. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is extending the time period for receipt of comments in response to its solicitation of comments on its draft Scientific Integrity Policy, originally published April 17, 2012.

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5. U.S.C., App. 2), the Secretary of Labor intends to establish the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee (WPAC). The WPAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (Assistant Secretary) on ways to improve the fairness, efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of OSHA's whistleblower protection activities.

The Department of Labor (the Department) is providing notice of the judicial order enjoining the Department from implementing and enforcing the Temporary Non-agricultural Employment of H-2B Aliens in the United States, published February 21, 2012 (the 2012 H-2B Final Rule). The 2012 H-2B Final Rule revised the requirements by which employers seeking H-2B workers apply for a temporary labor certification for use in petitioning the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to employ a nonimmigrant worker in H-2B status. The effective date of the 2012 H-2B Final Rule was April 23, 2012. The operative date of the 2012 H-2B Final Rule was April 27, 2012. This document provides guidance to the regulated community of the injunction, by judicial order, of the 2012 H-2B Final Rule and the continuing effectiveness of the 2008 H-2B Rule until such time as further judicial or other action suspends or otherwise nullifies the order in the Bayou II litigation.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Experience Rating Report,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).