81 FR 37642 - Notice of Public Comment Period on Proposed Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 112 (June 10, 2016)

Page Range		37642-37643
FR Document		2016-13635

This notice announces the opening of the public comment period on the Proposed Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (Proposed Uniform Language) documents for the forensic disciplines of fiber, footwear and tire treads, general chemistry, glass, latent prints, serology, and toxicology.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37642-37643]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13635]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[Docket No. OLP 157]


Notice of Public Comment Period on Proposed Uniform Language for 
Testimony and Reports

AGENCY: Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the opening of the public comment period 
on the Proposed Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (Proposed 
Uniform Language) documents for the forensic disciplines of fiber, 
footwear and tire treads, general chemistry, glass, latent prints, 
serology, and toxicology.

DATES: Written public comment regarding the Proposed Uniform Language 
should be submitted through www.regulations.gov before July 8, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Legal Policy, 950 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20530, by phone at 202-514-4601 
or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  As part of the Department's continued 
efforts to advance the practice of forensic science by ensuring 
Department forensic examiners are testifying and reporting consistent 
with applicable scientific standards and across Department components 
including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 
(ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Federal 
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department is developing Proposed 
Uniform Language that would apply to all Department forensic laboratory 
personnel. The Proposed Uniform Language documents are based on the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Approved Scientific Standards 
for Testimony and Reports (ASSTRs) but differ substantially. As a 
primary matter, the ASSTRs are currently in effect for FBI personnel, 
while the Proposed Uniform Language documents are merely proposed and 
have not been adopted. After adjudication of public comment and the 
incorporation of appropriate edits, it is anticipated that each 
Proposed Uniform Language document will be forwarded to the Deputy 
Attorney General. If one or more are adopted by the Deputy Attorney 
General, they would become effective for Department forensic laboratory 
personnel.
    The Department plans to seek comment on the Proposed Uniform 
Language documents in two phases with Proposed Uniform Language 
documents for seven forensic science disciplines being posted now and 
the remaining documents posted in July 2016.
    Proposed Uniform Language: The Department is posting the Proposed 
Uniform Language document for each of the following forensic science 
disciplines on www.regulations.gov and seeking public comment: Fiber, 
footwear and tire treads, general chemistry, glass, latent prints, 
serology, and toxicology. Each Proposed Uniform Language document 
contains two primary sections: Statements approved for use in 
examination testimony and/or laboratory reports and statements not 
approved for use in examination testimony and/or laboratory reports. We 
ask that you review and provide comment on each Proposed Uniform 
Language document separately.
    Review Sheet: In order to assist commenters in evaluating each 
Proposed Uniform Language document, the Department has provided a 
review sheet that identifies certain criteria. Commenters may find it 
helpful to use a format similar to that provided by the review sheet to 
frame their responses. Use of the review sheet is optional but would be 
helpful to provide consistency in commentary.
    Supporting Documentation: Each Proposed Uniform Language document 
is accompanied by supporting documentation (posted separately) that 
provides additional scientific background and policy considerations to 
support the statements approved for use and statements not approved in 
examination testimony and/or laboratory reports. The Department is not 
seeking public comment on the supporting documentation, however, 
commenters are welcome to provide thoughts and suggestions on these 
documents but notes that only each Proposed Uniform Language document 
will be forwarded to the Deputy Attorney General for review and 
potential adoption by Department personnel.
    Posting of Public Comments: To ensure proper handling of comments, 
please reference ``Docket No. OLP 157'' on all electronic and written 
correspondence. The Department encourages all comments on this 
framework be submitted electronically through www.regulations.gov. 
Paper comments that duplicate the electronic submission are not 
necessary as all comments submitted to www.regulations.gov will be 
posted for public review and are part of the official docket record.
    In accordance with the Federal Records Act, please note that all 
comments received are considered part of the public record, and shall 
be made available for public inspection online at www.regulations.gov. 
The comments to be posted may include personally identifiable 
information (such as your name, address, etc.) and confidential 
business information voluntarily submitted by the commenter.
    The Department will post all comments received on 
www.regulations.gov without making any changes to the comments or 
redacting any information, including any personally identifiable 
information provided. It is the responsibility of the commenter to 
safeguard personally identifiable information. You are not required to 
submit personally identifying information in order to comment on the 
Proposed Uniform Language and the Department recommends that commenters 
not include personally identifiable information such as Social Security 
Numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses 
that they do not want made public in their comments as such submitted 
information will be available to the public via www.regulations.gov. 
Comments submitted through www.regulations.gov will not include the 
email address of the commenter unless the commenter chooses to include 
that information as part of his or her comment.


[[Page 37643]]


    Dated: June 2, 2016.
Kira Antell,
Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy.
[FR Doc. 2016-13635 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-18-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2016 / Notices 37643

Dated: June 2, 2016. public and affected agencies concerning and audio description for movies shown
Kira Antell, the proposed collection of information in their auditoriums. On August 1, 2014,
Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy. are encouraged. Your comments should the Department published a notice of
[FR Doc. 2016–13635 Filed 6–9–16; 8:45 am] address one or more of the following proposed rulemaking amending its ADA
BILLING CODE 4410–18–P
four points: title III regulation, 28 CFR part 36, to
—Evaluate whether the proposed specifically require movie theaters to
collection of information is necessary provide closed movie captioning and
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE for the proper performance of the audio description for patrons with
functions of the Civil Rights Division, hearing and vision disabilities (NPRM).
[OMB Number 1190–NEW]
including whether the information 79 FR 44976. The NPRM proposed a
Civil Rights Division; Agency will have practical utility; new information collection requirement
Information Collection Activities; —Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s that is the subject of this notice.
Proposed eCollection; eComments estimate of the burden of the Proposed § 36.303(g)(5) stated that
Requested; Requirement That Movie proposed collection of information, ‘‘movie theaters shall ensure that
Theaters Provide Notice as to the including the validity of the communications and advertisements
Availability of Closed Movie methodology and assumptions used; intended to inform potential patrons of
Captioning and Audio Description —Evaluate whether and if so how the movie showings and times, that are
quality, utility, and clarity of the provided by the theater through Web
AGENCY: Civil Rights Division, information to be collected can be sites, posters, marquees, newspapers,
Department of Justice. enhanced; and telephone, and other forms of
ACTION: 60-Day notice. —Minimize the burden of the collection communications, shall provide
of information on those who are to information regarding the availability of
SUMMARY: The Department of Justice respond, including through the use of closed movie captioning and audio
(the Department), Civil Rights Division, appropriate automated, electronic, description for each movie.’’ Movie
Disability Rights Section (DRS), will mechanical, or other technological theaters’ disclosure of this information
submit the following information collection techniques or other forms will enable individuals with hearing
collection request to the Office of of information technology, e.g., and vision disabilities to readily find
Management and Budget (OMB) for permitting electronic submission of out which theaters are showing movies
review and approval in accordance with responses. with these features, and the times those
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 movies are being shown. All public
(PRA). Overview of Information Collection
comments on the NPRM supported the
DATES: Comments are encouraged and 1. Type of information collection: inclusion of a notice requirement in
will be accepted for 60 days until New information collection. some form.
August 9, 2016. 2. The title of the form/collection: 4. An estimate of the total number of
Requirement That Movie Theaters respondents and the amount of time
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
Provide Notice as to the Availability of estimated for an average respondent to
you have additional comments
Closed Movie Captioning and Audio respond: An estimated 1,876
(especially on the estimated public
Description. respondents will be required to disclose
burden or associated compliance time)
The agency form number, if any, and
or need additional information, please information concerning the availability
the applicable component of the
contact Rebecca B. Bond, Chief, of closed movie captioning and audio
Department sponsoring the collection:
Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights description in their existing
Form Number: None.
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, by Component: The applicable communications concerning movie
any one of the following methods: By component within the Department of showings and times.
email at DRS.PRA@usdoj.gov; by regular Justice is the Disability Rights Section in However, this number includes movie
U.S. mail at Disability Rights Section, the Civil Rights Division. theaters that show analog movies
Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department 3. Affected public who will be exclusively. In the NPRM, the
of Justice, P.O. Box 2885, Fairfax, VA required to comply, as well as a brief Department sought public comment on
22031–0885; by overnight mail, courier, abstract: whether it should defer application of
or hand delivery at Disability Rights Affected Public (Primary): Businesses the proposed requirements for theaters
Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. and not-for-profit institutions that own, with auditoriums that show analog
Department of Justice, 1425 New York operate, or lease a movie theater that has movies exclusively. If the Department
Avenue NW., Suite 4039, Washington, one or more auditoriums showing decides to defer coverage of analog
DC 20005; or by phone at (800) 514– movies with closed movie captioning auditoriums, then the number of
0301 (voice) or (800) 514–0383 (TTY) and audio description, and that provide respondents may drop. DRS estimates
(the Division’s Information Line). notice of movie showings and times. For that all of the approximately 1,876
Include in the subject line of all purposes of the proposed rule and this respondents will comply with this
comments the title of this proposed notice, ‘‘movie theater’’ means a facility requirement.
collection: ‘‘Requirement that Movie other than a drive-in theater that is used Based on a review of current movie
Theaters Provide Notice as to the primarily for the purpose of showing theater communications, it is estimated
Availability of Closed Movie Captioning that an average of 10 minutes per
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

movies to the public for a fee.
and Audio Description.’’ Affected Public (Other): None. respondent is needed to update existing
You may obtain copies of this notice Abstract: The Department’s Civil notices of movie showings and times
in an alternative format by calling the Rights Division, Disability Rights with this information. The Department
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section (DRS), is requesting PRA acknowledges, however, that the
Information Line at (800) 514–0301 approval of a new collection that would amount of time it will take a respondent
(voice) or (800) 514–0383 (TTY). require movie theaters to disclose to comply with this requirement will
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written information to the public regarding the likely vary because the amount of time
comments and suggestions from the availability of closed movie captioning necessary depends on the number of

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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:35:40
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:35:40

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written public comment regarding the Proposed Uniform Language should be submitted through www.regulations.gov before July 8, 2016.
Contact		The Office of Legal Policy, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20530, by phone at 202-514-4601 or via email at [email protected]
FR Citation		81 FR 37642