Privacy Act Regulations

Federal Register: March 31, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 62)

Proposed Rules

Page 16806-16807

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

DOCID:fr31mr08-31

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1611

Privacy Act Regulations

AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is proposing to revise its regulations at 29 CFR Part 1611, which implement the Privacy

Act of 1974, to exempt one of its systems of records from one of the

Act's requirements.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before May 30, 2008. The Commission proposes to consider any comments received and thereafter adopt final regulations.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to Stephen Llewellyn,

Executive Officer, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507. As a convenience to commentators, the Executive Secretariat will accept comments transmitted by facsimile

(``FAX'') machine. The telephone number of the FAX receiver is (202) 663-4114. (This is not a toll-free number.) Only comments of six or fewer pages will be accepted via FAX transmittal. This limitation is necessary to assure access to the equipment. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be acknowledged, except that the sender may request confirmation of receipt by calling the Executive Secretariat staff at (202) 663-4070 (voice) or (202) 663-4074 (TTD). (These are not toll-free telephone numbers.) You may also submit comments and attachments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the

Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting comments. Copies of comments submitted by the public will be available to review at the Commission's library, Room 6502, 1801 L

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or can be reviewed at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Schlageter, Assistant Legal

Counsel, or Kathleen Oram, Senior Attorney, at (202) 663-4640 (voice) or (202) 663-7026 (TTY). Copies of this final rule are also available in the following alternate formats: large print, braille, audiotape and electronic file on computer disk. Requests for this notice in an alternative format should be made to EEOC's Publication Center at 1- 800-669-3362 (voice) or 1-800-800-3302 (TTY).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission proposes to add a new section 1611.15 to its Privacy Act regulations to exempt records contained in EEOC-22, EEOC Personnel Security Files, from the accounting and disclosure provisions of the Privacy Act in accordance with section k(5) of the Act, but only to the extent that an accounting of disclosures or a disclosure itself identifies witnesses promised confidentiality as a condition of providing information during the course of a background investigation. The Commission also proposes to amend sections 1611.5(a)(5) and 1611.5(b) to conform them to the addition of the new exemption.

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866

Pursuant to Executive Order 12866, EEOC has determined that the regulation will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities. Therefore, a detailed cost-benefit assessment of the regulation is not required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rule contains no new information collection requirements subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under the

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Commission, in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act

(5 U.S.C. 606(b)), has reviewed this regulation and by approving it certifies that this regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Congressional Review Act

This action concerns agency organization, procedure or practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non- agency parties and, accordingly, is not a ``rule'' as that term is used by the Congressional Review Act (Subtitle E of the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA)). Therefore, the reporting requirement of 5 U.S.C. 801 does not apply.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1611

Privacy Act.

Dated: March 25, 2008.

For the Commission,

Naomi C. Earp,

Chair.

Accordingly, it is proposed to amend chapter XIV of title 29 of the

Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 1611--PRIVACY ACT REGULATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 1611 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a. 2. In Sec. 1611.5, revise paragraphs (a)(5) and (b) to read as follows:

Sec. 1611.5 Disclosure of requested information to individuals.

(a) * * *

(5) The Commission shall not deny any request under Sec. 1611.3 concerning the existence of records about the requester in any system of records it maintains, or any request for access to such records, unless that system is exempted from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a in Sec. Sec. 1611.13, 1611.14, or 1611.15.

* * * * *

(b) Upon request, the appropriate Commission official shall make available an accounting of disclosures pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), unless that system is exempted from the

Page 16807

requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a in Sec. Sec. 1611.13, 1611.14, or 1611.15.

* * * * * 3. Section 1611.15 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 1611.15 Exemption--EEOC Personnel Security Files.

EEOC's system of records entitled EEOC Personnel Security Files contains records that document and support decisions regarding suitability, eligibility and fitness for service of applicants for EEOC employment and contract positions. The records include background investigation records. Pursuant to section (k)(5) of the Privacy Act, 5

U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), this system of records is exempt from the provisions of sections (c)(3) and (d)(1) of the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d)(1), but only to the extent that the accounting of disclosures or the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.

FR Doc. E8-6551 Filed 3-28-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 6570-01-P