Employment and Training Administration December 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor (DOL) is issuing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement several important policy changes to the Workforce Investment Act and Wagner-Peyser Act Regulations in volume 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Through these regulations, the Department implements these two laws and provides guidance for statewide and local workforce investment systems that have as their goals increasing the employment, retention and earnings of participants. By achieving these goals, the systems strive to improve the quality of the workforce, meet business needs for a skilled workforce, help participants achieve their career aspirations, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The changes set forth in this proposed rulemaking address some long-standing issues that have arisen under the current WIA regulations, such as problems associated with the large size of State and Local Workforce Investment Boards; the sequence of core, intensive and training services; the governor's authority over eligible training providers, and the availability of Individual Training Accounts to youth. In addition, the changes set forth in this proposed rulemaking address the method of delivery of Wagner-Peyser Act-funded services.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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 Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension/reinstatement of the data retention required by 20 CFR 652.8(d)(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act, which requires each state to retain applications and job orders for a minimum of one year. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice or at this Web site: https:// www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/OMBControlNumber.cfm.