The Helping American Victims Affected
by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act of 2021 was signed by
President Biden in October 2021. The Act provides for the
possibility of one-time, lump sum payments for those affected by
Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs). This includes current and former
Department employees, and dependents of current or former employees
who, on or after January 1, 2016, became injured by a qualifying
injury to the brain while they were an employee of the
Department.
1. This collection is
necessary without allowing for the time period normally associated
with a routine submission for review under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act. It is crucial that individuals
experiencing qualifying injuries to the brain be examined and, if
appropriate, submit their claims under the Act and receive payment
for qualifying injuries as soon as possible. In addition, Congress
mandated a deadline for these procedures be in place, which,
although it has passed, indicated the urgency for providing
payments; therefore, it is critical that the form be ready for the
public to use as soon as the IFR is published. 2. This collection
is essential to the mission of the Department of Commerce, which is
committed to protecting its employees and their dependents from
injury; and, to the extent possible, making a payment to them
pursuant to the HAVANA Act for qualifying injuries to the brain
incurred in connection with war, terrorist activity, or other
incidents designated by the Secretary of State, and which were not
the result of the willful misconduct of the covered individual. The
purpose of this collection is to provide required documentation
from a board-certified neurologist regarding the claimant's
injuries.
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.