Privacy Act; Implementation

AGENCY:

Office of the Secretary of Defense, DoD.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is exempting a system of records in its inventory of systems of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 28, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Dan Cragg at (703) 601-4722.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The proposed rule was published on November 29, 2002, at 67 FR 71119-71120. One comment was received which has prompted a change in the final rule. The rule, as changed, is being adopted as final.

One public comment was received where the commenter expressed concern that the wording of the proposed rule appears to impute criminality to those individuals receiving background checks and appears to suspend the rights of those individuals interacting with the DoD. We disagree. As provided by law, the rule provides a basis for the Department to exempt specified records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act. It does not serve as a basis for making judgments regarding individuals on whom the Department conducts background checks. Neither does it act to suspend any rights the individual may be entitiled to under DoD administered programs. The commenter observes that the rule is unecessary and redundant. We disagree. The purpose of the rule is to preserve and protect the identity of a source who has been promised confidentiality in return for the information he or she is providing the Department. Because only a specific exemption can be claimed for the records, the Department must establish the exemption in order to accomplish the desired objective. And finally, the commenter expresses the view that the scope of the rule is overly broad. We agree. The principal purpose of the claimed exemption is to protect the identity of a confidential source. We therefore have revised the rule so that the exemption is only being claimed for those provisions of the Act that are supportive of the overally purpose of the exemption.

Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review”

It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of Defense are not significant rules. The rules do not (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy; a sector of the economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public health or safety; or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another Agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive order.

Public Law 96-354, “Regulatory Flexibility Act” (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6)

It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of Defense do not have significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they are concerned only with the administration of Privacy Act systems of records within the Department of Defense.

Public Law 96-511, “Paperwork Reduction Act” (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)

It has been determined that Privacy Act rules for the Department of Defense impose no information requirements beyond the Department of Defense and that the information collected within the Department of Defense is necessary and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 552a, known as the Privacy Act of 1974.

Section 202, Public Law 104-4, “Unfunded Mandates Reform Act”

It has been determined that the Privacy Act rulemaking for the Department of Defense does not involve a Federal mandate that may result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments.

Executive Order 13132, “Federalism”

It has been determined that the Privacy Act rules for the Department of Defense do not have federalism implications. The rules do not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 311

• Privacy

Accordingly, 32 CFR part 311 is amended to read as follows:

PART 311—OSD PRIVACY PROGRAM

1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 311 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Pub.L. 93-579, 88 Stat. 1896 (5 U.S.C. 552a).

2. Section 311.8, is amended by adding paragraph (c)(14) to read as follows: