Overview
Title
30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection; OCHCO Personnel Security Integrated System for Tracking (PerSIST)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is asking people what they think about a new way to check if someone is a good fit for a job, but they didn't say exactly what information they'll collect or how they'll keep it safe. They want ideas on how to make giving this information easier, and people have until January 27, 2025, to share their thoughts.
Summary AI
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published a notice seeking public comments on a proposed information collection related to the OCHCO Personnel Security Integrated System for Tracking (PerSIST). This system collects personal information to assist in assessing the suitability and eligibility of individuals for federal employment or contract positions. HUD is requesting feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and potential improvements to the information collection process, as well as suggestions for minimizing the response burden through technological advancements. The public has until January 27, 2025, to submit their comments.
Abstract
HUD is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is requesting comment from all interested parties on the proposed collection of information. The purpose of this notice is to allow for an additional 30 days of public comment.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent publication in the Federal Register by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) invites public commentary on a proposed information collection associated with the OCHCO Personnel Security Integrated System for Tracking (PerSIST). HUD is tasked with safeguarding personnel security by evaluating individuals for federal roles, including contract positions. The aim of the notice is to extend the period for public comment, particularly regarding the necessity and functionality of gathering personally identifiable information (PII).
General Summary
The HUD notice requests input from the public about the PerSIST system, which is designed to aid in assessing the qualifications of candidates for federal employment and related opportunities. The notice specifies a deadline of January 27, 2025, for comments. Key objectives include evaluating whether this data collection is crucial for HUD's operations, its estimated administrative burden, and suggestions on enhancing the process through technology.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several critical issues arise from the document. The mention of "PII" without an accompanying definition could lead to confusion given its technical nature. Concerns about data privacy may intensify as the notice omits detailed explanations of the type of information collected, how it will be used, and the measures in place to protect it, leaving room for potential public apprehension regarding security. Also noteworthy is the repetition in soliciting methods to minimize information collection burdens, which might muddle the call-for-comments section.
The document could further benefit from accessibility improvements as contact methods are limited mainly to phone and online submissions, potentially excluding those without such access.
Potential Public Impact
Broadly, this document affects potential applicants for federal roles as it pertains to the evaluative criteria for securing federal employment. The process of collecting this information touches upon significant themes of privacy and employment eligibility, which are pivotal in shaping public trust in federal hiring practices.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The primary stakeholders include job applicants and employees within federal employment channels, as they would be directly impacted by how their personal data is collected, stored, and used. The absence of measures to protect this information could negatively impact their perception of and trust in federal employment processes. However, if effectively managed, the system could streamline background checks and improve the efficiency of verifying candidate suitability, positively impacting stakeholders by potentially speeding up hiring processes and improving resource allocation within HUD.
In conclusion, while the PerSIST system's intentions to enhance federal employment vetting are clear, several areas warrant attention to ensure public understanding, trust, and participation. These include clarifying technical jargon, providing assurances on data privacy and security, improving accessibility for comment solicitation, and addressing redundancy in the feedback process.
Issues
• The document does not specify the exact nature of the information to be collected beyond mentioning 'PII' (Personally Identifiable Information), which may cause confusion regarding data privacy concerns.
• There is no detailed explanation of how the collected information will be securely stored or protected, which may lead to concerns about data security.
• The notice lacks clarity on the specific impacts on the public, particularly in terms of how individuals might be affected by this information collection.
• There is duplication in requesting ways to minimize the burden of information collection, appearing both as point (4) and point (5) in Section B, which may confuse readers.
• Contact details are provided but lack alternative formats for individuals who may not have access to phones or the internet, potentially excluding some stakeholders from contributing.
• The language used in the document may be overly technical for public understanding, such as terms like 'PII' and 'PerSIST', without providing definitions or explanations.