Search Results for keywords:"Privacy Act"

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced a new matching program with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to verify eligibility for the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy. This program involves the IRS sharing specific taxpayer information with the SSA to determine correct subsidy percentages for benefits under the Social Security Act. Interested parties have until May 12, 2025, to submit comments regarding this program, which will begin on May 27, 2025, and last for 18 months. The initiative is authorized under specific sections of the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is establishing a new system of records to maintain child abuse and neglect investigation records for the Office of Refugee Resettlement's Unaccompanied Children Bureau. The rule exempts this system from certain Privacy Act requirements, like disclosure and access rights, to protect the integrity of investigations and secure sensitive information. HHS explains that these exemptions are necessary to prevent interference with investigations, safeguard the identities of children and informants, and maintain the effectiveness of investigative techniques. The rule will be effective by February 6, 2025, unless adverse comments are received by January 22, 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule concerning a new Privacy Act system of records called "NIH Police Records" maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Originally scheduled to take effect on February 18, 2025, this rule's start date is now delayed until March 21, 2025. The delay follows a memorandum from President Trump titled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," which suggested postponing the implementation of such rules for 60 days to allow for further review. The shift aims to ensure a comprehensive consideration of the rule's impact.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule amending its Privacy Act regulations. This amendment exempts the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance (SITC) National Information Communication Activity System (SNICAS) from certain Privacy Act provisions to help with law enforcement operations. The USDA is also updating its regulations to reflect the consolidation of certain records systems into a single system. The rule takes effect on February 10, 2025, and does not impose any new reporting requirements for small businesses.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized new regulations for the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act, reflecting updates from the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. These revisions aim to make the regulations easier to understand and use, improving public access to government records and information. The final rules also incorporated public feedback, with changes ensuring transparency and a presumption of openness while also addressing how requests and appeals are processed. Additionally, the CEQ has updated administrative procedures, including the handling of fees and how appeals are managed, to align with current policies and practices.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the renewal of an information collection activity aimed at reducing paperwork and respondent burden. They are seeking public comments on the necessity, practicality, and accuracy of their information collections, as well as suggestions to improve quality and reduce respondent burden. The collection is part of the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act processes, requiring individuals to provide personally identifiable information through a paper form. Comments on this collection can be submitted within 30 days of the notice's publication.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a final rule regarding the "NIH Police Records" system, which contains law enforcement records maintained by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Police Division. This rule establishes exemptions from certain requirements of the Privacy Act, allowing the NIH to withhold access to specific investigatory records to protect law enforcement procedures and sources. The exemptions apply to both criminal and non-criminal investigatory materials to prevent interference with ongoing investigations and safeguard the integrity of investigatory techniques. The rule is set to become effective on February 18, 2025, and it has been determined that it will not have significant economic impacts on small entities or impose significant expenses on state or local governments.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has postponed the effective date of a new rule concerning privacy for certain records systems until April 11, 2025. This rule was originally set to take effect on February 10, 2025, and involves exempting a USDA records system from some Privacy Act provisions to avoid interfering with law enforcement. This delay allows further review and aligns with a presidential memorandum that calls for regulatory review. The action uses a legal exemption that allows the immediate delay without public comment.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) has issued a final rule to change its Privacy Act regulations by exempting a specific system of records from disclosure obligations. This system, called PBGC-19, is used for managing legal case records that support investigations into possible violations of laws. The rule allows PBGC to withhold certain investigatory records to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of their investigations. Effective January 6, 2025, these changes are designed to prevent interference with PBGC's legal processes and protect individuals' privacy.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is proposing to create a new system of records under the Privacy Act to enhance the scanning process at the Mail Recovery Center (MRC). This new system aims to improve how the USPS handles undeliverable mail by consolidating related functions and using updated scanner technology to manage lost and undeliverable items more efficiently. The proposed changes are intended to provide better customer service by making it easier for USPS to notify customers about their lost mail, including sending images of lost checks, while ensuring privacy and security standards are maintained. The revisions will automatically take effect on February 12, 2021, unless any objections are raised before that date.