The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is requesting approval for the information collection reqirements contained in the Interim Final Rule for the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program. The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program is designed to provide compensation to individuals for serious physical injuries or deaths from pandemic, epidemic, or security countermeasures identified in declarations issued by the Secretary pursuant to section 319F-3(b) of the Public Health Service Act.
This is a new collection associated with an interim final rule that is currently being reviewed by OMB. A total of 15,120 burden hours is being requested due to legislatively mandated requirements authorized by the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which is part of the "Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act of 2006" (PL 109-148).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.