83 FR 62878 - Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Physical and Mental Health Certification

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 234 (December 6, 2018)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0043, abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for a revision in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves a certification form that applicants for the Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service are required to complete regarding their mental health history.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62878-62879]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26370]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public 
Collection of Information: Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service 
Physical and Mental Health Certification

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: 60-day notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request 
(ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0043, 
abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for a revision in 
compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes 
the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The 
collection involves a certification form that applicants for the Law 
Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service are required to complete 
regarding their mental health history.

DATES: Send your comments by February 4, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or delivered 
to the TSA PRA Officer, Information Technology (IT), TSA-11, 
Transportation Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 20598-6011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina A. Walsh at the above 
address, or by telephone (571) 227-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a valid OMB control number. The ICR documentation will be 
available at http://www.reginfo.gov upon its submission to OMB. 
Therefore, in preparation for OMB review and approval of the following 
information collection, TSA is soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order (E.O.) 13771, 
Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, and E.O. 13777, 
Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, TSA is also requesting comments 
on the extent to which this request for information could be modified 
to reduce the burden on respondents.

Information Collection Requirement

    OMB Control Number 1652-0043; Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal 
Service Physical and Mental Health Certification. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 
44917, TSA has authority to provide for deployment of Federal Air 
Marshals (FAMs) on passenger flights and provide for appropriate 
training, equipping, and supervision of FAMs. Pursuant to this 
authority, TSA requires that applicants for the Law Enforcement/Federal 
Air Marshal Service positions meet certain medical and mental health 
standards.
    TSA uses a Mental Health Certification form to facilitate the 
determination of applicants' and incumbents' ability to meet 
established medical standards and safely and effectively perform the 
essential functions of the public safety law enforcement position. TSA 
is revising the collection to include additional forms to assist in the 
determination. These forms include a Practical Exercise Performance 
Requirements (PEPR) form, and a Treating Physician Status Report (TPSR) 
form, in conjunction with further evaluation requests as needed. TSA is 
also revising the name of the collection from ``Office of Law 
Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Mental Health Certification'' 
to ``Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service Physical and Mental 
Health Certification.''
    The Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service (LE/FAMS) has 
established medical guidelines designed to ensure FAMs can safely and 
effectively perform the tasks essential to the arduous, rigorous, and 
hazardous functions of the FAM position. The medical guidelines ensure 
a level of health status and physical and psychological fitness for 
this public safety law enforcement position which requires a high 
degree of responsibility. Medical guidelines are based on cognitive, 
physical, psychomotor, and psychological abilities related to the 
essential job functions of a FAM. Medical examinations include, but are 
not limited to, cardiac, pulmonary, audiometric, and visual acuity 
testing. Incumbent FAMs undergo medical examinations every other year 
until the age of 45, and annually thereafter, while in a FAM position. 
Based on conditions identified during the pre-employment or recurrent 
periodic examination, the applicant/employee may be required to provide 
a completed PEPR form, or TPSR form, signed by his/her physician in 
order to determine if the FAM is medically qualified.

[[Page 62879]]

    As part of the psychological assessment, applicants are required to 
complete a Mental Health Certification form related to their mental 
health history. Applicants are asked questions that may be indicative 
of mental health conditions that may impact the ability to safely and 
effectively perform the essential functions of the position. All forms 
submitted by applicants and incumbents are sent directly to the FAMS 
Medical Programs Section for initial screening via fax, mail, or in 
person. Individual responses may require further medical evaluation.
    TSA estimates that there will be 600 respondents annually. It will 
take each respondent approximately one hour to complete the Mental 
Health Certification form, and 15 minutes per respondent for their 
doctor to complete two additional forms (the Practical Exercise 
Performance form and the Treating Physician Status Report form), for a 
total annual hour burden of 900 hours.

    Dated: November 28, 2018.
Christina A. Walsh,
TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Information Technology.
[FR Doc. 2018-26370 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-05-P