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

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Department, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The Inflation Adjustment Act provides that agencies shall adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, the Inflation Adjustment Act provides a cost- of-living formula for adjustment of the civil penalties. Accordingly, this final rule sets forth the Department's 2021 annual adjustments for inflation to its civil monetary penalties.

The Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is issuing this Direct Final Rule 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 rule 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. It also makes other minor corrections to update existing regulations.