Privacy Act: Systems of records,

[Federal Register: June 20, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 119)]

[Notices]

[Page 38265-38268]

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

[DOCID:fr20jn00-51]

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Office of Management.

ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Education (ED) publishes this notice of a new system of records entitled ``Child Care Subsidy Program System.'' The system will contain information about employees who apply for a subsidy for child care expenses, their spouses and the children who are enrolled in government-subsidized child care, the employee's application for, and participation in, the child care subsidy program, including the employee's name, their spouse's name, the employee's title, grade and salary, the employee's home and work telephone numbers, the employee's home and work addresses, the organization in which the employee works, the employee's social security number, their spouse's social security number, the employee's tax returns, their spouse's tax returns, the name and social security number of the child on whose behalf the parent is applying for a subsidy, the child's date of birth, the date of entry into the Child Care Subsidy Program, and the amount of subsidy received; the name, address, telephone number, employer identification number (EIN), license and accreditation status of the child care center in which the employee's child(ren) is (are) enrolled, and the dates of attendance.

The Department seeks comment on this new system of records described in this notice, in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act.

DATES: We must receive your comments on the proposed routine uses for the systems of records included in this notice on or before July 20, 2000. The Department fileda report describing the new system of records covered by this notice with the Chair of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Chair of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of the House, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on June 16, 2000. The changes made in this notice will become effective after the 30-day period for OMB review of the systems expires on July 17, 2000; unless OMB gives specific notice within the 30 days that the changes are not approved for implementation or requests an additional 10 days for its review. The routine uses become effective 30 days after publication unless they need to be changed as a result of public comment or OMB review. The Department will publish any changes to the routine uses.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments about the proposed routine uses to Elizabeth Mackenzie, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 6E236, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: 202-401-6700. If you prefer to send comments through the Internet, use the following address: Comments@ed.gov. You must include the term ``SOR Child Care'' in the subject line of the electronic message.

During and after the comment period, you may inspect all comments about this notice in room 6E236, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday of each week except Federal holidays.

Assistance to Individuals With Disabilities in Reviewing the Rulemaking Record

On request, we supply an appropriate aid, such as a reader or print magnifier,

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to an individual with a disability who needs assistance to review the comments or other documents in the public rulemaking record for this notice. If you want to schedule an appointment for this type of aid, you may call (202) 205-8113 or (202) 260-9895. If you use a TDD, you may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Van Buskirk, Work/Life Programs Group Director, Office of Management, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 2W305, Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 260-8979.

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph.

Introduction

The Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) (Privacy Act) requires the Department to publish in the Federal Register this notice of a new system of records managed by the Department. The Department's regulations implementing the Act are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in 34 CFR part 5b.

The Privacy Act applies to information about individuals that contain individually identifiable information and that may be retrieved by a unique identifier associated with each individual, such as a name or social security number. The information about each individual is called a ``record'' and the system, whether manual or computer-based, is called a ``system of records.'' The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish notices of systems of records in the Federal Register and to prepare reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) whenever the agency publishes a new system of records.

Electronic Access to This Document

You may view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) on the Internet at either of the following sites:

http://ocfo.ed.gov.fedreg.htm. http://www.ed.gov/news.html.

To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using PDF, call the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) toll free at 1-888- 293-6498, or in the Washington, DC area at (202) 512-1530.

Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available on GPO Access at: http:// www.access.gpo.gov/nara/index.html.

Dated: June 15, 2000. Willie H. Gilmore, Director, Office of Management.

The Office of Management of the U.S. Department of Education publishes a notice of a new system of records to read as follows:

System Identification Number:

18-05-13.

System Name:

Child Care Subsidy Program System.

Security Classification:

None.

System Location:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Management, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 2W200, Washington, DC 20202.

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System:

This system contains records on employees who apply for a subsidy for child care expenses, their spouses and the children who are enrolled in government-subsidized child care.

Categories of Records in the System:

This system consists of records relating to an employee's application for, and participation in, the child care subsidy program, including the employee's name, their spouse's name, the employee's title, grade and salary, the employee's home and work telephone numbers, the employee's home and work addresses, the organization in which the employee works, the employee's social security number, their spouse's social security number, the employee's tax returns, their spouse's tax returns, the name and social security number of the child on whose behalf the parent is applying for a subsidy, the child's date of birth, the date of entry into the Child Care Subsidy Program, and the amount of subsidy received; the name, address, telephone number, employer identification number (EIN), license and accreditation status of the child care center in which the employee's child(ren) is (are) enrolled, and the dates of attendance.

Authority for Maintenance of the System:

Pub. L. 106-58 (113 Stat. 477).

Purpose(s):

The information contained in this system is used for the purposes of determining program eligibility and benefits, verifying the identity of the individual, verifying the eligibility of the child care center, investigating possible fraud and verifying compliance with regulations.

Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purpose of Such Uses:

The Department of Education (the Department) may disclose information contained in a record in the systems of records under the routine uses listed in this system of records without the consent of the individual if the disclosure is compatible with the purposes for which the record was collected. These disclosures may be made on a case-by-case basis.

(1) Disclosures to Child Care Providers. The Department may disclose information from this system of records to child care providers in order to verify a child's dates of attendance at the provider's facility.

(2) Disclosure for Use by Other Law Enforcement Agencies. The Department may disclose information to any Federal, State, local, or foreign agency or other public authority responsible for enforcing, investigating, or prosecuting violations of administrative, civil, or criminal law or regulation if that information is relevant to any enforcement, regulatory, investigative, or prosecutive responsibility within the receiving entity's jurisdiction.

(3) Enforcement Disclosure. In the event that information in this system of records indicates, either on its face or in connection with other information, a violation or potential violation of any applicable statute, regulation, or order of a competent authority, the Department may disclose the relevant records to the appropriate agency, whether foreign, Federal, State, Tribal, or local, charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting that violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, executive order, rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant thereto.

(4) Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Disclosures.

(a) Introduction. In the event that one of the parties listed below is involved in litigation or ADR, or has an interest in litigation or ADR, the Department may disclose certain records to the parties described in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this routine use under the conditions specified in those paragraphs:

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(i) The Department of Education, or any component of the Department; or

(ii) Any Department employee in his or her official capacity; or

(iii) Any Department employee in his or her individual capacity if the Department of Justice (DOJ) has agreed to provide or arrange for representation for the employee;

(iv) Any Department employee in his or her individual capacity where the agency has agreed to represent the employee; or

(v) The United States where the Department determines that the litigation is likely to affect the Department or any of its components.

(b) Disclosure to the DOJ. If the Department determines that disclosure of certain records to the DOJ is relevant and necessary to litigation or ADR, the Department may disclose those records as a routine use to the DOJ.

(c) Administrative Disclosures. If the Department determines that disclosure of certain records to an adjudicative body before which the Department is authorized to appear, an individual or entity designated by the Department or otherwise empowered to resolve or mediate disputes is relevant and necessary to the administrative litigation, the Department may disclose those records as a routine use to the adjudicative body, individual, or entity.

(d) Parties, counsels, representatives and witnesses. If the Department determines that disclosure of certain records to a party, counsel, representative or witness in an administrative proceeding is relevant and necessary to the litigation, the Department may disclose those records as a routine use to the party, counsel, representative or witness.

(5) Employment, Benefit, and Contracting Disclosure.

(a) For Decisions by the Department. The Department may disclose a record to a Federal, State, or local agency maintaining civil, criminal, or other relevant enforcement or other pertinent records, or to another public authority or professional organization, if necessary to obtain information relevant to a Department decision concerning the hiring or retention of an employee or other personnel action, the issuance of a security clearance, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other benefit.

(b) For Decisions by Other Public Agencies and Professional Organizations. The Department may disclose a record to a Federal, State, local, or foreign agency or other public authority or professional organization, in connection with the hiring or retention of an employee or other personnel action, the issuance of a security clearance, the reporting of an investigation of an employee, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant, or other benefit, to the extent that the record is relevant and necessary to the receiving entity's decision on the matter.

(6) Employee Grievance, Complaint or Conduct Disclosure. The Department may disclose a record in this system of records to another agency of the Federal Government if the record is relevant to one of the following proceedings regarding a present or former employee of the Department: Complaint, grievance, discipline or competence determination proceedings. The disclosure may only be made during the course of the proceeding.

(7) Labor Organization Disclosure. A component of the Department may disclose records to a labor organization if a contract between the component and a labor organization recognized under Title V of the United States Code, Chapter 71, provides that the Department will disclose personal records relevant to the organization's mission. The disclosures will be made only as authorized by law.

(8) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advice Disclosure. The Department may disclose records to the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and Budget if the Department concludes that disclosure is desirable or necessary in determining whether particular records are required to be disclosed under the FOIA.

(9) Disclosure to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Department may disclose records to the DOJ to the extent necessary for obtaining DOJ advice on any matter relevant to an audit, inspection, or other inquiry related to the programs covered by this system.

(10) Contract Disclosure. If the Department contracts with an entity for the purposes of performing any function that requires disclosure of records in this system to employees of the contractor, the Department may disclose the records to those employees. Before entering into such a contract, the Department shall require the contractor to maintain Privacy Act safeguards as required under 5 U.S.C. 552a(m) with respect to the records in the system.

(11) Research Disclosure. The Department may disclose records to a researcher if an appropriate official of the Department determines that the individual or organization to which the disclosure would be made is qualified to carry out specific research related to functions or purposes of this system of records. The official may disclose records from this system of records to that researcher solely for the purpose of carrying out that research related to the functions or purposes of this system of records. The researcher shall be required to maintain Privacy Act safeguards with respect to the disclosed records.

(12) Congressional Member Disclosure. The Department may disclose records to a member of Congress from the record of an individual in response to an inquiry from the member made at the written request of that individual. The Member's right to the information is no greater than the right of the individual who requested it.

(13) Disclosure to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Credit Reform Act (CRA) Support. The Department may disclose records to OMB as necessary to fulfill CRA requirements.

Disclosure to Consumer Reporting Agencies:

Not applicable.

Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System: Storage

The records are maintained in hard copy and on a computer database.

Retrievability:

The files in this system are retrievable by social security number or name.

Safeguards:

All physical access to the Department site, and the sites of Department contractors where this system of records is maintained, is controlled and monitored by security personnel who check each individual entering the building for his or her employee or visitor badge. The computer system employed by the Department offers a high degree of resistance to tampering and circumvention. This security system limits data access to Department and contract staff on a need to know basis, and controls individual users' ability to access and alter records within the system. All users of this system of records are given a unique user ID with personal identifiers. All interactions by individual users with the system are recorded.

Retention and Disposal:

Records of individual are destroyed after five years.

System Manager(s) and Address:

Lead Program Specialist, Family-Friendly Programs, Work/Life Programs Group, Office of Management, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., room 2W200 Washington, DC 20202.

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Notification Procedures:

If you wish to determine whether a record exists regarding you in this system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations at 34 CFR 5b.5, including proof of identity. You may present your request in person at any of the locations identified for this system of records or address your request to the system manager at the address listed above.

Record Access Procedures:

If you wish to access a record regarding you in this system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations at 34 CFR 5b.5, including proof of identity. You may present your request in person at any of the locations identified for this system of records or address your request to the system manager at the address listed above.

Contesting of Records Procedures:

If you wish to contest a record regarding you in this system of records, contact the system manager. Your request must meet the requirements of the Department's Privacy Act regulations at 34 CFR 5b.7, including proof of identity. You may present your request in person at any of the locations identified for this system of records or address your request to the system manager at the address listed above.

Record Source Categories:

Information is provided by Department employees who apply for a child care subsidy and from the child care providers.

System Exempted From Certain Provisions of the Act:

None.

[FR Doc. 00-15499Filed6-19-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4000-01-U

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