Office of Workers' Compensation Programs 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Uniform Billing Form''. This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Advisory Board will meet November 8-9, 2021, via teleconference, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on each day. Submission of comments, requests to speak, and materials for the record: You must submit comments, materials, and requests to speak at the Advisory Board meeting by November 1, 2021, identified by the Advisory Board name and the meeting date of November 8-9, 2021, by any of the following methods: Electronically: Send to: EnergyAdvisoryBoard@dol.gov (specify in the email subject line, for example ``Request to Speak: Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health''). Mail, express delivery, hand delivery, messenger, or courier service: Submit one copy to the following address: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health, Room S-3522, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: Your submissions must include the Agency name (OWCP), the committee name (the Advisory Board), and the meeting date (November 8-9, 2021). Due to security-related procedures, receipt of submissions by regular mail may experience significant delays. For additional information about submissions, see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. OWCP will make available publicly, without change, any comments, requests to speak, and speaker presentations, including any personal information that you provide. Therefore, OWCP cautions interested parties against submitting personal information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates.

Currently, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Miner's Claim for Benefits under the Black Lung Benefit's Act (CM-911) and Employment History (CM-911A). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice. 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.

On February 8, 2019, the Department of Labor (Department) published in the Federal Register a final rule that revised its regulations governing its responsibilities under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, as amended (EEOICPA). However, the final rule as published inadvertently omitted amendatory instructions to retain two subordinate paragraphs. This document corrects the error.

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 (PRA).

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 (PRA).

The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Notice of Payments.'' This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Department of Labor is withdrawing the proposed rule that accompanied its direct final rule (DFR) that requires electronic filing (e-filing) and makes acceptance of electronic service (e-service) automatic for attorneys and non-attorney representatives representing parties in proceedings before the Administrative Review Board (Board), unless the Board authorizes non-electronic filing and service for good cause; establishes a new part containing rules of practice and procedure for the Board; and amends existing regulations concerning filing and service that apply where a governing statute or executive order does not establish contrary rules of filing and service.

On December 14, 2020, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing to revise regulations governing electronic filing and settlements, and establishing new procedures for assessing and adjudicating penalties under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). Consistent with the Presidential directive as expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2021, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' OWCP is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed extension for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Medical Travel Refund Request.'' This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is withdrawing a notice and request for comments entitled ``Guidance on Black Lung Benefits Act Self-Insurance,'' which was published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2021.

The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is issuing this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to seek public comments on a proposal to require electronic filing (e-filing) and make acceptance of electronic service (e-service) automatic for attorneys and non-attorney representatives representing parties in proceedings before the Administrative Review Board (Board), unless the Board authorizes non- electronic filing and service for good cause. Self-represented persons will have the option of e-filing or of filing papers by conventional means. This proposed rule would establish a new part containing rules of practice and procedure for the Board and amend existing regulations concerning filing and service that would apply where a governing statute or executive order does not establish contrary rules of filing and service. It would also make other minor corrections to update existing regulations.

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is announcing publication of a preliminary program bulletin titled ``DCMWC Self-Insurance Process Guidelines'' describing the agency's updated process for evaluating self-insurance applications under the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA). The BLBA requires coal mine operators to secure the payment of benefits by either purchasing commercial insurance or obtaining the Department's authorization to self-insure those liabilities. Authorization to self-insure may be granted or denied at the Department's discretion. OWCP is making the programmatic changes and preliminary bulletin available for public comment pursuant to the Department of Labor's PRO Good Guidance Rule.