Department of Veterans Affairs July 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

The Office of Management (OM), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopts as final, with changes, a proposed rule governing the approval of a community residential care facility (CRC). The final rule prohibits a CRC from employing an individual who has been convicted in a court of law of certain listed crimes within 7 years of conviction, or has had a finding within 6 months entered into an applicable State registry or with the applicable licensing authority concerning abuse, neglect, mistreatment of individuals or misappropriation of property. The CRC is required to conduct an individual assessment of suitability for employment for any conviction or finding outside either the 7 year or 6 month parameters. The CRCs is also required to develop and implement written policies and procedures that prohibit mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and misappropriation of resident property. The CRC must report and investigate any allegations of abuse or mistreatment. The CRC must also screen individuals who are not CRC residents, but have direct access to a veteran living in a CRC. In addition, we are amending the rule regarding the maximum number of beds allowed in a resident's bedroom. VA published the proposed rule on November 12, 2015, and we received four public comments. We also received correspondence from a federal agency with recommendations. This final rule responds to public comments and feedback from that federal agency.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the availability of funds under the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program. This Notice of Funding Availability (Notice) contains information concerning the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program, grant renewal application process, and amount of funding available.

This notice announces that the roster of employees on the Disciplinary Appeals Board Panel is available for review and comment. Employees, employee organizations, and other interested parties shall be provided, without charge, a list of the names of employees on the Panel upon request and may submit comments concerning the suitability for service on the Panel of any employee whose name is on the list.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that the Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, will submit the collection of information abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden and it includes the actual data collection instrument.