SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

An important aspect of the mission of the BLS is to disseminate to the public the maximum amount of information possible. Not all data are publicly available because of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of BLS data. However, the BLS has opportunities available on a limited basis for eligible researchers to access confidential data for purposes of conducting valid statistical analyses that further the mission of the BLS as permitted in the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA).

The BLS makes confidential data available to eligible researchers through three major programs:

1. The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY) is designed to document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. The NLSY collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. The NLSY includes three different cohorts: the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), the NLSY79 Young Adult Survey, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). NLSY data beyond the public use data are made available in greater detail through an offsite program providing eligible researchers with NLSY State, County, and MSA Geocode data. Eligible researchers can access these data through a Virtual Data Enclave (VDE). ( printed page 37151)

2. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), as part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. Multiple sources are used in order to provide as complete and accurate information concerning workplace fatalities as possible. A research file containing CFOI-Masked data is made available offsite to eligible researchers through a VDE.

3. Additionally, the BLS makes available highly restricted data from several employment, prices, compensation, and working conditions surveys to eligible researchers. (Access has been temporarily suspended to all highly restricted datasets other than NLSY due to resource limitations. As other datasets are reinstated, a public notice will be posted on the BLS website.) Eligible researchers can access these data through a VDE.

II. Current Action

Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the revision of the BLS Data Sharing Program. In order to provide access to confidential data under CIPSEA, the BLS must enter into legal agreements with approved researchers' institutions. This information collection allows the BLS to obtain the necessary details for those legal agreements which are not captured through the Standard Application Process (SAP).

BLS data are no longer available at Census Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs). Data are now available only through the BLS VDE. Therefore, the FSRDC-specific Researcher Data Access Information Form has been removed from this OMB package.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

The Bureau of Labor Statistics 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.
• 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 submissions of responses.

Title of Collection: BLS Data Sharing Program.

OMB Number: 1220-0180.

Type of Review: Revision.

Affected Public: Individuals.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.

91 FR 37150