[Federal Register: March 29, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 59)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15861-15862]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr05-69]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration on Aging

 
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and 
Instructions for Older Americans Act Title VII

AGENCY: Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing an opportunity 
for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by 
the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), 
Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register 
concerning each proposed collection of information, including each 
proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to 
allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice 
solicits comments on the information collection requirements relating 
to State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report and instructions for 
Older Americans Act Title VII.

DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of 
information by May 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information 
to: sue.wheaton@aoa.gov.
    Submit written comments on the collection of information to: 
Administration on Aging, Washington, DC 20201. Attention: Sue Wheaton.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Wheaton, telephone: (202) 357-
3587; e-mail: sue.wheaton@aoa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal 
agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. 
``Collection of information'' is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 
1320.3(c) and includes agency request or requirements that members of 
the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a 
third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) 
requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, 
before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with 
this requirement, AoA is publishing notice of the proposed collection 
of information set forth in this document. With respect to the 
following collection of information, AoA invites comments on: (1) 
Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of AoA's functions, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of AoA's 
estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, 
including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques when appropriate, and other forms of information 
technology.
    The reporting system, the National Ombudsman Reporting System 
(NORS), was developed in response to the needs and directives 
pertaining to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget for use in FY 1995-96, and extended 
with slight modifications for use in FY 1997-2001 and again for FY 
2002-2006.
    This request is to continue the use of the existing information 
collection, State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report (and 
Instructions), from Older Americans Act Title VII grantees. Under 
section 712(c), section 712(h)(1) and section 712(h)(B) of the Older 
Americans Act, as amended, states are required to provide information 
on ombudsmen activities to AoA, which AoA is then required to present 
to Congress. We are currently working with the states and local 
Ombudsmen on recommendations to revise and update the form and 
instructions for use beginning in FY 2007.
    The reporting form would retain the following elements: A profile 
of the cases, complainants and complaints by type of facility; action 
taken on the complaints; a summary of long-term care issues; a detailed 
profile of the program and its activities, including the number and 
type of facilities licensed and operating in the state (and the number 
beds this represents); the staffing and funding of local programs; and 
an overview of other ombudsman activities (including: Training, 
technical assistance, consultation to organizations and individuals, 
resident visitation, community education, etc.)
    AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows: Approximately one and one-half hour per respondent with 52 
State Agencies on Aging responding annually.


[[Page 15862]]


    Dated: March 23, 2005.
Josefina G. Carbonell,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 05-6094 Filed 3-28-05; 8:45 am]

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