Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection; Biographic Verification Form (1-791)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FBI wants to check people's basic information, like their names, to make sure they get the right jobs or help, even if their fingerprints don't work. They are asking people to share their thoughts about this by March 15, 2021.
Summary AI
The Department of Justice, through the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, announced a proposed information collection titled the Biographic Verification Form (1-791). This form is used by agencies to verify biographic data, like name checks, when fingerprint submissions fail for quality reasons, ensuring that individuals are not wrongly denied employment, benefits, or licenses. The agency invites public comments on the necessity and impact of this collection until March 15, 2021. The form is expected to be submitted by approximately 50,000 respondents annually, taking about 8 minutes each, totaling 6,700 burden hours per year.
Abstract
Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Department of Justice, through its FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, has announced a noteworthy proposed information collection effort known as the Biographic Verification Form (1-791). This initiative has been introduced to ensure that individuals are not unjustly denied employment, benefits, or licenses due to the poor quality of fingerprint submissions. The form serves as a backup measure, providing a biographic data check when fingerprints are not sufficient.
General Summary
The proposed form is intended for agencies that need to submit fingerprints for noncriminal purposes, such as employment or licensing. If the submitted fingerprints are of poor quality twice, this form ensures that the individuals' biographic details are manually verified. The Department of Justice is welcoming public comments regarding this collection until March 15, 2021. An estimated 50,000 respondents annually are expected to fill out this form, and each form completion is anticipated to take about 8 minutes, resulting in a cumulative burden of approximately 6,700 hours per year for respondents.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A few significant issues arise from this document:
Lack of Financial Details: The document does not mention any specific financial implications, making it challenging to assess potential inefficiencies or unjustified expenditures associated with this procedural change.
Complexity of Language: The language used, particularly in the section inviting public comments, might be seen as unnecessarily complex. Simplifying these terms could encourage broader public engagement and better comprehension.
Technological Collection Techniques: Although the document mentions enhancing data collection through technology, it does not provide specific examples or strategies for how this would minimize the burden on respondents. More clarity on these efforts would be beneficial.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the Biographic Verification Form is expected to provide a fairer system for individuals who might otherwise be disadvantaged by fingerprinting errors, thus promoting justice in employment and licensing processes.
By offering a second chance for biographic data verification, the initiative could ensure that qualified individuals are neither excluded nor subjected to unnecessary hurdles when applying for critical opportunities that require background checks.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Agencies Authorized to Submit Fingerprints: These stakeholders will have to incorporate this new form into their current procedures, which may involve slight adjustments to their operations. Despite the additional step, the form could enhance accuracy in applicant evaluations.
Applicants for Employment, Benefits, or Licenses: For applicants, this initiative represents a positive change. By safeguarding against unwarranted denials due to fingerprint quality, it ensures their applications are considered based on all relevant biometric and biographic information.
Overall, while the proposed information collection appears to support fairer assessment criteria for potential applicants, clearer details on financial, procedural, or technological aspects would serve both participants and the public interest better.
Issues
• The document lacks specific financial details, which makes it difficult to evaluate potential wasteful spending.
• There is no indication of any particular organizations or individuals being favored, but a more detailed breakdown could clarify this.
• The language used in describing the four points for public comments could be simplified for better public understanding.
• The document does not provide specifics on the measures taken to improve technological collection techniques, which could minimize respondent burden.
• The abstract and overview are somewhat repetitive; condensing these sections might make it easier to focus on the key points.