Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Revision of a Previously Approved Collection; FBI Expungement and Sealing Form (FD-1114)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FBI wants to make sure that their record-keeping system is accurate, so they're updating a form people use to help fix mistakes in records. They also want to hear what others think about this new form before they make it official.
Summary AI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), has announced a proposal to revise a previously approved information collection, specifically the FBI Expungement and Sealing Form (FD-1114). This notice, in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, invites public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and enhancement of the information collection, which is mandatory for state, local, tribal, and federal agencies. The collection aims to ensure accurate and secure identity history records in systems like the National Crime Information Center. The estimated annual response rate for this form is 147,610, with each response taking approximately 3.5 minutes, totaling an annual burden of 8,611 hours. Comments will be accepted until March 10, 2025.
Abstract
The CJIS Division, FBI, DOJ, 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 document in question is a notice from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, part of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It announces a proposed revision of an existing information collection titled the FBI Expungement and Sealing Form (FD-1114). This revision is submitted for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The form serves to collect and manage identity history information reliably to ensure accuracy, completeness, and security. Public comments on this proposal are invited until March 10, 2025.
Summary of the Document
The CJIS Division is focusing on revising an important tool used to handle requests for expunging and sealing identity history records. The proposed document highlights significant details like the audience affected, which primarily includes state, local, and tribal governments, as well as federal agencies. These bodies are required to comply with the form due to their data contributions to law enforcement databases. The notice estimates an annual response rate of 147,610 submissions with each submission averaging 3.5 minutes to complete, amounting to an annual burden of approximately 8,611 hours.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A few aspects of the document could pose challenges to readers and stakeholders:
Technical Nature: The document is laden with technical jargon, which may deter laypersons from fully comprehending its content, particularly sections related to the estimation of public burden and collected data's utility.
Submission Guidelines: The guidance for submitting comments and feedback could have been more prominently formatted. Its current placement within dense text makes it somewhat easy to overlook.
Cost Transparency: While an annual cost burden is marked as "N/A," the lack of clear explanation might lead to ambiguity or misinterpretation regarding potential costs.
Justification and Impact: The document could better articulate the necessity of the data collection. Specifically, how it enhances the performance of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the tangible benefits it provides to public safety and security.
Responsibilities and Obligations: More explicit clarity regarding the roles and obligations placed on different government layers could prevent confusion among stakeholders over their responsibilities.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, the document could affect the public by ensuring that identity-related information remains accurate and secure, which is crucial for individual privacy and the effective functioning of justice systems. This is particularly vital for those seeking to expunge or seal their records, as it determines how their information is processed and shared.
For specific stakeholders, such as government agencies at various levels, the document underscores mandatory compliance with certain administrative duties. This form of compliance, while essential for maintaining data integrity, may also introduce administrative burdens and require allocations of time and resources. By engaging with the public in the comment period, the CJIS Division can receive input that might improve the practicality and efficiency of the form.
In conclusion, while the document represents a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of identity history records, it would benefit from enhanced clarity and accessibility for both the general public and stakeholders directly affected by the proposed revisions.
Issues
• The document is highly technical and may be difficult for the layperson to understand, particularly the section regarding the methodology and assumptions used in estimating public burden.
• The instructions for submitting comments and suggestions are somewhat buried within the text and might benefit from clearer formatting or emphasis.
• The document does not specify any annual cost burden directly, but simply lists it as 'N/A' without further explanation, which might leave some ambiguity regarding potential costs.
• The justification for the necessity of the data collection and how exactly it improves the performance of the Bureau of Justice Statistics could be more detailed.
• There is no mention of potential wasteful spending, but ensuring accuracy and integrity of data collection implies costs that are not itemized; transparency here could prevent perceptions of unnecessary expenditure.
• The language concerning the roles and obligations of state, local, and tribal governments might benefit from clearer delineation to avoid confusion over responsibilities.