SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Notice of Special Enrollment Rights under Group Health Plans information collection. Under regulations 29 CFR 2590.701-6(c), a group health plan must provide an individual who is offered coverage under the plan a notice describing the plan's special enrollment rights at or before the time coverage is offered. The regulations provide detailed sample language describing special enrollment rights for use in the notice. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 section 734 authorizes this information collection. See29 U.S.C. 1191c.

This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1210-0101.

OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on November 23, 2015 (80 FR 72990).

Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register . In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1210-0101. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology,e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: DOL-EBSA.

Title of Collection: Notice of Special Enrollment Rights under Group Health Plans.

OMB Control Number: 1210-0101.

Affected Public: Private Sector—businesses or other for-profits and not-for-profit institutions.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,300,000.

Total Estimated Number of Responses: 8,600,000.

Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 1 hour.

Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $75,000.

81 FR 11592