Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act; implementation: Individuals employed in positions involving regular contact with or control over Indian children; minimum standards of character and employment suitability,

[Federal Register: May 27, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 102)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 28778-28779]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr27my99-25]

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service

42 CFR Part 36

RIN 0917-AA02

Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act Minimum Standards of Character

agency: Indian Health Service, Public Health Service, HHS.

action: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

summary: The Indian Health Service (IHS) is extending the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking implementing section 408 of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act Minimum Standards of Character (Published March 25, 1999, 64 FR 14560) from May 24, 1999, to July 26, 1999, in response to tribal requests for more time to analyze the proposed rule and to prepare their comments.

dates: Comments must be received on or before July 26, 1999.

addresses: Written comments may be sent to Betty J. Penn, Regulations Officer, Indian Health Service, Twinbrook Metro Plaza, Suite 450, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Comments will be made available for public inspection at

[[Page 28779]]

this address from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

for further information contact: Ramona Williams, Child Protection Coordinator, Office of Mental Health/Social Services, Indian Health Service, 5300 Homestead Road, N.E., Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, (505) 248-4245. (This is not a toll-free number.)

supplementary information: In the Federal Register of March 25, 1999, the IHS published proposed regulations to implement section 408 of Pub. L. 101-630, the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act. The Act requires that tribes or tribal organizations who receive funds under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93-638, employ individuals in positions involving regular contact with or control over Indian children only if the individuals meet standards of character no less stringent than those prescribed under these regulations. Comments have been received on behalf of a number of tribes requesting an extension of the comment period for the proposed regulation ranging from 30 days to 2 months. For example, some of the tribes are currently engaged in contract/compact negotiations and need additional time to fully study the proposed regulations and consult with their tribal councils before submitting written comments. Some tribes have already adopted their detailed policies on this subject and need time to compare the proposed regulations to their policies. The IHS has considered these requests and determined that an additional 60 days would accommodate the need for additional time and be consistent with its policy of consultation with tribes.

All comments received during the public comment period will be given full consideration in the development of the final regulations.

Dated: May 21, 1999. Robert G. McSwain, Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 99-13505Filed5-26-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-16-M