Overview
Title
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Request for Entry Into Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The State Department wants to know what people think about a program that helps stop children from being taken to another country without permission. They're asking everyone to share their thoughts by March 26, 2021, by filling out a form and sending it by email, mail, or fax.
Summary AI
The Department of State is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), which aims to prevent international parental child abductions and unauthorized minor travel. This notice allows individuals to comment until March 26, 2021, as per the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The program requires the collection of certain information, like Form DS-3077, from parents or legal guardians. The form can be completed online or by hand and submitted through email, fax, or mail.
Abstract
The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.
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AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register is a notice from the Department of State seeking public comments on a proposed information collection concerning the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP). This program is a tool designed to prevent the international abduction of children by a parent and unauthorized travel by minors. The information collection is being submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as per the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Interested parties have until March 26, 2021, to submit their comments.
Summary of the Document
The notice highlights that the Department of State plans to collect information from parents or legal guardians using Form DS-3077 to facilitate the CPIAP. The key objective is to ensure that the Department is informed when a passport application for a minor is submitted, providing an opportunity to halt any unauthorized passport issuance. This process aims to provide a safeguard against international child abductions.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues arise from this notice:
Voluntary Response Ambiguity: The document states that the obligation to respond is voluntary. However, this could cause confusion as individuals might feel an unspoken pressure to participate, especially in sensitive matters involving children.
Complex Language: Some parts of the notice, such as the phrase "CPIAP provides a mechanism for parents or other persons with legal custody" could be simplified to make the text more understandable for the general public.
Outdated Submission Methods: The requirement to submit forms via email or fax might seem outdated in this digital age. The lack of modern submission options could hinder participation.
Accessibility Concerns: The notice does not mention alternative methods for individuals with disabilities, which could prevent these individuals from participating easily.
Lack of Transparency: The document does not provide an explanation for how the total estimated burden time of 2,000 hours was calculated. This absence of information could undermine trust in the estimated figures.
Public Impact
For the general public, this document signals a measure designed to enhance child safety by preventing unauthorized international travel by minors. The program, if effectively conducted, could prevent cases of international child abduction, providing parents and legal guardians an additional layer of protection.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Parents and Guardians: The program primarily impacts parents and legal guardians, who would benefit from the extra security measures against unauthorized passport issuances for minors. However, they may also face an increased burden in filling out forms and staying compliant with new regulations.
Legal and Custodial Professionals: Courts and legal professionals involved in custody disputes may find the CPIAP an essential tool in assuring the safety of involved minors. However, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of and understand these processes could represent an additional overhead.
Individuals with Disabilities: Without specific accommodations or alternative communication methods mentioned, individuals with disabilities might find it difficult to participate in the comment process or the program itself.
In conclusion, while the proposed information collection offers potential benefits in terms of child safety, the notice could benefit from addressing concerns regarding language clarity, accessibility, and modernizing submission methods to maximize public engagement and transparency.
Issues
• The notice mentions a 'voluntary' obligation to respond, which might lead to ambiguity in cases where individuals feel pressured to respond.
• The phrase 'submission to OMB of proposed collection of information' might not be immediately clear to a layperson unfamiliar with government procedures.
• The method of submitting comments via email and fax appears outdated, and the suggestion to include the DS form number might not be clear to all respondents.
• Language such as 'CPIAP provides a mechanism for parents or other persons with legal custody' could be simplified to enhance readability.
• The document does not specify if there are alternative methods for individuals with disabilities who may have difficulty using the stated communication channels.
• Potentially complex language for an average reader includes 'to obtain information regarding whether the Department has received a passport application for the minor'. This could be simplified to 'to learn if a passport application for their child has been received.'
• There is no explanation or breakdown of how the total estimated burden time of 2,000 hours was calculated, which could be seen as lacking transparency.