Department of Justice Seeks Public Comments on Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices Complaint Form Estimated reading time: 5–7 minutes On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a request for public comments on the “Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices Complaint Form,” known as Form EOIR-58. The notice was published in the Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 150. Purpose of the Form Form EOIR-58 is used by people who want to file a complaint about unfair immigration-related employment practices. These practices include discrimination based on citizenship status or national origin, retaliation or intimidation by employers, and “document abuse” during the hiring process. Document abuse means asking for more or different papers than needed to prove permission to work in the United States, if the reason is to discriminate. How the Complaint Process Works If someone thinks they have faced discrimination under Section 274B of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), they can file a charge with the DOJ Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER). The IER has 120 days to decide if it will file a complaint with the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) for the person. If not, the individual may file their own complaint with OCAHO using Form EOIR-58. This form gathers all the information needed so OCAHO can assign the complaint to an Administrative Law Judge. Non-substantive changes have been made to the form and instructions to help with clarity and formatting. The IER’s mailing address and the Privacy Act notice were also updated. The time estimate for filling out the form has been revised. Obligation to Respond Filling out Form EOIR-58 is not required, but it is needed if a person wants to file a complaint under INA Section 274B. Alternatively, a written statement can be sent if it meets the rule requirements in 28 CFR 68.7. Key Details About the Form and Costs Number of Respondents Each Year: Around 38 individuals are expected to fill out the form each year. Time to Complete: Each person takes about 1 hour to fill in the form. How Often: Once a year. Total Annual Time: 38 hours in total. Cost: The estimated cost for filing by mail is about $25.10 per response ($15.00 for printing and $10.10 for mailing), with no fees for submitting by email. If someone uses an attorney, the cost may increase by $72.67 per hour for legal help. The maximum estimated cost to the public for all responses is $3,715.26. There are no labor costs for people who fill the form themselves. Most people currently mail the form to OCAHO, but it can also be submitted by email. The DOJ is working to add full electronic filing, which would remove the needs for printing and postage costs. Submitting Comments Comments are open until September 8, 2025. People can visit www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain to submit their thoughts. They can find the form by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review–Open for Public Comments,” or searching for the title or OMB Control Number 1125-0016. The DOJ asks for public input on: If the collection of information is needed and useful. If the estimated time and burden are correct. How the form and instructions can be clearer. How to reduce the time or cost for people filling out the form, including better use of technology. Additional Information If you need more information, you can contact Justine Fuga at the Executive Office for Immigration Review, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls Church, VA 22041, or call (703) 305-0265. For other questions, contact Darwin Arceo, Policy and Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice. Key Dates Notice published: August 7, 2025. Comments due: September 8, 2025. This notice provides an opportunity for the public and agencies to give feedback before the form is approved for use through August 2028, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Receives Request for Certification of Alabama Capital Counsel Mechanism Estimated reading time: 1–3 minutes On August 7, 2025, the Department of Justice released a public notice about Alabama’s request for certification of its capital counsel mechanism. The request was made to the United States Attorney General. Alabama seeks to have its system for appointing counsel in capital cases officially certified. This would cover appointments, compensation, and covering legal expenses for lawyers who represent people sentenced to death and who cannot afford their own attorneys. Federal law, specifically Chapter 154 of Title 28, United States Code, sets special rules for federal court reviews of cases for prisoners on death row who do not have money for legal help. These special rules are available only if the U.S. Attorney General certifies that a state has a qualified system for appointing and paying competent lawyers to handle these state post-conviction cases. The public notice confirms that Alabama has formally submitted its request. The Department of Justice invites the public to send in comments about this request. How to Comment People can send in written or electronic comments. Comments must be received on or before October 6, 2025. Mailed comments will be accepted if they are postmarked by that date. Electronic comments will be accepted until midnight Eastern Time on October 6, 2025. Where to Submit Comments All comments should reference “Docket No. OLP181.” The Department of Justice asks that comments be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov using the comment form there. People should not send paper copies if they already submitted their comments online. Anyone who wants to send written comments can mail them to Levi Lall, Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530. More Information Questions about Alabama’s request can be directed to Levi Lall at 202-598-0771. Public materials about Alabama’s request, as well as details about the review process, are available to view at https://www.justice.gov/olp/pending-requests-final-decisions. The notice is dated August 4, 2025, and was signed by Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., Supervisory Official of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Policy. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Tennessee Death Penalty Lawyers Request Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes On August 7, 2025, the Department of Justice published a notice about Tennessee’s request for federal certification of its capital counsel mechanism. The State of Tennessee has asked the U.S. Attorney General for certification of its system to provide lawyers for people sentenced to death. The state wants approval that it meets federal rules for appointing, paying, and supporting lawyers for those who cannot afford legal help in death penalty cases. The rules for this come from Chapter 154 of Title 28 in the United States Code. These rules give states special procedures for federal court review of death penalty cases, but only if the state has set up a fair way for poor prisoners to get qualified lawyers and pay their legal costs. Now, the public can send comments about Tennessee’s request. People can write or make electronic comments until October 6, 2025. Mailed comments must be postmarked by that date. Online comments are open until Midnight Eastern Time on October 6, 2025. Comments must say “Docket No. OLP180” to help the Department handle them correctly. Electronic comments should be sent via www.regulations.gov. Paper comments should not copy the electronic version. For questions, contact Levi Lall, Counsel at the Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530. Phone: 202-598-0771. The public can read Tennessee’s request and the facts supporting it at https://www.justice.gov/olp/pending-requests-final-decisions. This notice was signed by Nicholas J. Schilling Jr., Supervisory Official in the Office of Legal Policy, on August 4, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

DEA Proposes Permanent Schedule I Placement for Five Designer Benzodiazepines Estimated reading time: 4–5 minutes The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced a proposed rule to place five substances—clonazolam, diclazepam, etizolam, flualprazolam, and flubromazolam—in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The proposal includes each substance and its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers. These substances were temporarily placed in Schedule I on July 26, 2023, due to concerns about an imminent hazard to public safety. The temporary order was later extended to July 26, 2026. If this proposed rule is finalized, it will make these controls permanent. Why Are These Substances Being Scheduled? According to the DEA, these five substances have a high potential for abuse. They are chemically and pharmacologically similar to classical benzodiazepines, like diazepam and alprazolam. These classical drugs are widely abused and can cause dependence. The DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reviewed scientific and medical evidence about these substances. The review found that: They are not approved for any medical use in the United States. There are no accepted safety standards for their use under medical supervision. They have been linked to abuse, dependence, and serious health risks. Evidence and Data No legitimate sources, such as approved medicines, exist for these five substances in the United States. They are not used or manufactured legally and are mostly obtained from illegal sources or foreign countries. The DEA and HHS collected the following data: Over 50,000 encounters of these substances by law enforcement, from every state and Washington, DC. Evidence from U.S. poison centers and toxicology programs showing hundreds of cases involving these drugs, including deadly overdoses. Studies and user reports showing these drugs can cause strong sedative effects, impaired driving, and physical dependence. Some are more potent than known prescription benzodiazepines. Risks to Public Health The five substances act as strong depressants on the central nervous system. They can cause drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, and breathing trouble. People have died from overdoses involving these drugs, especially when mixed with other substances like opioids. Reports show that people of all adult ages, and both sexes, have been harmed. Often, these drugs are used alone or with other dangerous drugs like fentanyl or stimulants. Legal and International Obligations The United States is required by the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) to control these substances because other countries voted to add them to international lists. What Will Happen Under Permanent Scheduling? If permanently placed in Schedule I: It will be illegal to manufacture, distribute, import, export, or possess these substances except for DEA-approved research. They will be subject to strict storage and recordkeeping rules. Only DEA-registered persons will be allowed to handle these substances. Penalties for unauthorized activity would include criminal, civil, and administrative actions. Public Input and Comments The public can comment on this proposed rule until August 25, 2025. Comments can be made electronically at regulations.gov or mailed to the DEA office. People who want a hearing must ask before the same deadline. Small Business Impact DEA states that very few suppliers or researchers use these substances for legal research. The rule is not expected to impact a significant number of small businesses. How the Rule Changes Regulations If the rule becomes final, it will remove the substances from the temporary list and add them to the permanent list of Schedule I controlled substances under 21 CFR 1308.11(e). Contact Information For more information, contact Dr. Terrence L. Boos at the DEA, phone: (571) 362-3249. Conclusion The DEA’s proposal aims to keep U.S. laws in line with international treaties and protect public health. Clonazolam, diclazepam, etizolam, flualprazolam, and flubromazolam will remain closely controlled due to the dangers they pose. The public is invited to review and comment before the rule is finalized. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

DEA Extends Temporary Ban on Five Designer Benzodiazepines Until 2026 Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes What Are the Banned Substances? The substances included in this order are: Clonazolam Diclazepam Etizolam Flualprazolam Flubromazolam These include their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers. Background On July 26, 2023, the DEA first placed these five substances under Schedule I due to an “imminent hazard to the public safety.” That two-year ban was set to end on July 26, 2025. The DEA says it needs more time to finish permanent scheduling rules. Legal Process The Controlled Substances Act allows the DEA to make temporary bans for up to two years. The ban can be extended for one more year if work to make the ban permanent is not finished. The Acting Administrator of the DEA started the process for a permanent ban. The DEA is publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking about this in the Federal Register. Regulatory Details The extension of the ban is not a regular rule but an order. This order is not subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking. The extension uses authority under 21 U.S.C. 811(h), which allows an expedited action to avoid risks to public safety. The DEA says that more delays would be against the public interest. Not extending the ban now could create risks if the substances became legal again before permanent rules are ready. Impacts on the Public Under Schedule I, these drugs are illegal to make, distribute, import, export, research, or possess unless specially permitted. Anyone handling these substances is subject to the same controls and penalties as with other Schedule I drugs. Why the Ban? The DEA explains that these five designer benzodiazepines pose a risk to public health. They used their emergency powers to make and extend this temporary ban. Administrative Information The order was signed on July 22, 2025, by Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy. The official document was filed for publication and sent to both Houses of Congress and to the Comptroller General, although this is not legally required since it is an order, not a rule. Effective Date The order is effective July 26, 2025, and will stay in effect until July 26, 2026, unless permanent rules are made before then. Contact Questions can be directed to Terrence L. Boos, Drug and Chemical Evaluation Section, Diversion Control Division, DEA, at 8701 Morrissette Drive, Springfield, VA 22152, phone (571) 362-3249. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Requests Comments on New User Access Form for EPIC System Portal Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), has announced a new information collection request. The form is called the User Access Request Form for the EPIC System Portal (ESP). This form will be used by law enforcement personnel at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels. They need this form to request access to the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) System Portal. The portal lets approved users see information about drug and human trafficking, firearms smuggling, money laundering, and other crimes. The DEA is submitting this request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, following the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Public comments about the request are open for 60 days, ending September 23, 2025. The Department asks the public and other agencies to give feedback. They want comments on: Whether this information collection is needed. If the estimates about the burden on the public are correct. How the information collected can be improved for quality and usefulness. How to reduce the effort required to fill out the form, including by using better technology or allowing electronic submissions. The main purpose of the form is to collect enough information to approve new users for the EPIC System Portal. It is important for security and to meet federal law enforcement rules. Key Details of the Information Collection: Type: New collection. Title: User Access Request Form for the EPIC System Portal. Form Number: To be assigned after OMB approval. The Drug Enforcement Administration is responsible for this form. Who is Affected: Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement personnel wanting to access the portal. Filling out the form is required to get access. Estimated Respondents: 1,000 people per year. Time Per Response: About 7 minutes per form. Total Burden: 1,000 responses are expected each year, leading to a total estimated burden of 116.67 hours per year. Annual Cost Burden: The estimated yearly cost of this information collection is $4,666.80. The Department noted that the total burden hours and cost are based on the number of people expected to fill out the form and the time needed. Those seeking more information or a copy of the form may contact Benjamin Inks at the Office of Compliance, Policy Administration Section, Arlington, VA (telephone: 571-672-4524). For general questions, Darwin Arceo is listed as the Department Clearance Officer at the Justice Management Division, Washington, DC. Notice issued: July 23, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Bytecode Alliance Foundation Updates Membership in Official Notice Estimated reading time: 2–3 minutes On May 29, 2025, the Bytecode Alliance Foundation filed an official notification under section 6(a) of the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993. This law is found at 15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. The notification was sent to both the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. It shared changes in the group’s membership. Renderlet, Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York, has joined the Bytecode Alliance Foundation as a party to this venture. SingleStore, based in San Francisco, California, has withdrawn as a party from this venture. No other changes have been made in the membership or the planned activity of the group research project. Membership in this group research project is still open. The Bytecode Alliance Foundation plans to send more written notifications for all membership changes in the future. The Bytecode Alliance Foundation first filed its original notification on April 20, 2022, under section 6(a) of the Act. The Department of Justice published a notice in the Federal Register under section 6(b) of the Act on May 13, 2022. The citation is 87 FR 29379. The last notification before this was filed on March 19, 2025. A notice was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2025. The citation is 90 FR 16704. Suzanne Morris, Deputy Director of Civil Enforcement Operations in the Antitrust Division, signed the notice. The official Federal Register document number is 2025-14051. This notice was filed on July 24, 2025, and appeared in Volume 90, Number 141 on page 35313. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

New Members and Withdrawals in 1EdTech Consortium Announced Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes The Department of Justice Antitrust Division released a notice about the 1EdTech Consortium, Inc. This notice was published in the Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 141, on Friday, July 25, 2025. The notice states that 1EdTech Consortium, Inc. filed a report on May 29, 2025. This report was sent to both the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. The report was made according to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. The report says that new members have joined the 1EdTech Consortium. The new members are: Aurora Public Schools (CO), Aurora, CO University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa, AL Terrace Metrics, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Texas Education Agency, Austin, TX ViewSonic Education Agency, Brea, CA Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX International Baccalaureate Organization, Cardiff, UNITED KINGDOM Navigatr, Leeds, UNITED KINGDOM Alexander Becker (individual member), Berlin, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY The following groups or companies have withdrawn from 1EdTech Consortium: KERIS, Dong-gu, REPUBLIC OF KOREA Udemy, San Francisco, CA Cisco, San Jose, CA Swedish National Agency for Education (Statens skolverk), Solna, KINGDOM OF SWEDEN Partners4Results, Waukesha, WI Switch Energy Alliance, Austin, TX Siemens, Munich, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY There are no further changes in membership or planned activities. The membership for this group remains open. 1EdTech Consortium plans to file more updates about membership changes. The 1EdTech Consortium first reported its activities under the law on April 7, 2000. The Department of Justice first published a related notice on September 13, 2000 (65 FR 55283). The most recent earlier notification was made on March 17, 2025. That notice was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2025 (90 FR 16702). Suzanne Morris, Deputy Director for Civil Enforcement Operations in the Antitrust Division, signed the notice. The official Federal Register document identifier is FR Doc. 2025-14054. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Notice of Membership Change in Decentralized Storage Alliance Association Estimated reading time: 2–4 minutes On July 25, 2025, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division published a notice in the Federal Register about changes in the Decentralized Storage Alliance Association (DSAA). The notice states that on May 27, 2025, DSAA filed written notifications with both the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. This action was done under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, 15 U.S.C. 4301 et seq. The filing’s purpose is to extend legal protections. It limits the damages that antitrust plaintiffs can recover to actual damages under specific conditions. MetaProof Inc., based in New York, NY, has been added as a party to the DSAA venture. No other changes have been made to the membership or the group’s planned activities. Membership in the research project is still open. DSAA plans to keep the Department updated about future changes in membership. DSAA originally filed notification under the Act on August 1, 2023. The Department published information about this in the Federal Register on October 6, 2023 (88 FR 69670). The previous update was filed on December 9, 2024. That notice was published on February 3, 2025 (90 FR 8816). This notice was issued by Suzanne Morris, Deputy Director, Civil Enforcement Operations, Antitrust Division. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

America’s DataHub Consortium Updates Membership Estimated reading time: 3 minutes On June 16, 2025, America’s DataHub Consortium (ADC) sent official notifications about changes in its membership. These notifications were given to the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. This action follows the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993. The new members joining ADC are: 22nd Century Technologies, Inc., McLean, VA Daniel H. Wagner Associates, Inc., Hampton, VA Discovery Machine, Inc., Williamsport, PA Industry Defense Systems LLC, Lansdale, PA ISSAC LLC, Colorado Springs, CO JLGOV LLC, Virginia Beach, VA L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Clifton, NJ Magnum Multimedia, Inc., Herndon, VA Turnkey Federal LLC, Tampa, FL Two members have left the consortium: JIL NZ LLC, Chevy Chase, MD ZCTS LLC, Arlington, VA No other changes were made to the group’s membership or its planned activities. Membership in this group remains open. ADC will continue to provide notifications about future changes in its membership. ADC first filed notification under the Act on November 11, 2021. The Department of Justice published a notice about that filing on December 22, 2021 (86 FR 72628). The most recent notification before this one was filed with the Department on March 6, 2025. A notice for the March 2025 filing was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2025 (90 FR 16702). Suzanne Morris, Deputy Director of Civil Enforcement Operations for the Antitrust Division, reported this information in the Federal Register on July 25, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

DEA Revokes Registration of Dr. Taha Dias, M.D. in Florida Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes Background and Order Issued On November 4, 2024, the DEA sent an Order to Show Cause (OSC) to Dr. Taha Dias. The DEA warned that he might lose his DEA registration. The DEA said Dr. Dias gave out prescriptions for controlled substances in ways that were not allowed by law. These actions were seen as inconsistent with public interest. The DEA cited violations of both federal and Florida state law. Service of Order A DEA Diversion Investigator (DI) served the OSC to Dr. Dias. The DI sent it by email and by mail to his registered addresses. On November 22, 2024, Dr. Dias spoke with the DI. He was told about the OSC and what it meant. Details of Violations Between July 2022 and December 2023, Dr. Dias gave prescriptions for controlled substances that were outside the usual course of professional practice. He did not follow federal law 21 CFR 1306.04(a) or Florida Statutes Sec. 456.44(3). Dr. Dias did not reply to the DEA’s charges. The DEA says this means Dr. Dias admits to the facts described in the OSC. Dr. Dias admitted he wrote nine prescriptions for promethazine with codeine to nine different people, knowing the drugs would be obtained by someone else and not those named. On July 5, 2022, he texted a local pharmacist about sending these prescriptions, which were not for a real medical reason. Dr. Dias also admitted he wrote nine prescriptions for controlled substances to a person named M.S. between December 9, 2022, and December 4, 2023. M.S. was in a correctional facility when these prescriptions were written. Dr. Dias did not do a medical exam or create a real doctor-patient relationship for these prescriptions either. In total, Dr. Dias gave out at least 18 prescriptions that had no real medical purpose and were not allowed by his profession’s rules. Legal Findings and Process The DEA stated that under federal and Florida law, doctors must only prescribe controlled substances for real medical reasons and after proper exams. They must keep detailed patient records. The DEA found Dr. Dias did not follow these rules. In cases like this, the DEA checks five factors to decide if someone should keep their registration. The DEA mainly considered Dr. Dias’s compliance with laws and his experience with controlled substances. No evidence was found of state medical license problems or crime convictions for Dr. Dias. But the DEA said the main problem was how Dr. Dias prescribed the drugs. Sanction and Final Decision The DEA said Dr. Dias did not reply to the charges or try to explain his actions. He did not show he accepted responsibility or would follow the law in the future. Because of these reasons, the DEA revoked Dr. Dias’s DEA Certificate of Registration No. BD9971208. The DEA also denied any of his pending applications to renew or change his registration or to apply for a new registration in Florida. This order takes effect on August 25, 2025. Signed Order The order was signed on July 21, 2025, by Acting Administrator Robert J. Murphy. Reference: Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 141, Friday, July 25, 2025, Pages 35313-35315. [FR Doc No: 2025-14077] Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Movie Theater Accessibility Notice Requirements Estimated reading time: 4–9 minutes The Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division, is asking for public comments on the rules that require movie theaters to tell people if closed movie captioning and audio description are available for digital movies. This request is part of a review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Why This is Happening Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), movie theaters must not discriminate against people with disabilities. Federal law at 42 U.S.C. 12182 says that public places like movie theaters must provide aids and services for people with disabilities. Movie theaters that show digital movies and offer captioning or audio description must make sure all their notices—including signs at the box office, on websites, mobile apps, in newspapers, or over the phone—tell people which movies have these services. This is required by the rule at 28 CFR 36.303(g)(8). Who Must Follow These Rules These rules apply to any business or not-for-profit group that owns, operates, or leases a movie theater (but not drive-in theaters) that shows digital movies to the public for a fee. All theater firms that show digital movies with these features must let the public know in their movie listings if closed captioning or audio description is available. It is mandatory for these firms to follow this rule. Details About the Requirement The DOJ says that almost all U.S. movie theaters now show digital movies that can have closed captions and audio descriptions. Whenever these theaters tell the public about movie showings—such as by updating weekly movie listings—they must include information about the availability of these accessibility features. Estimated Effort to Meet the Requirement There are about 1,813 firms in the U.S. owning one or more movie theaters, according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data. Each firm is expected to spend about 10 minutes per week updating movie listings for closed captions and audio description information. Over a year, this is about 8.7 hours per firm for complying with the requirement. Summary Table of Burden Activity Number of Respondents Times per Year Total Responses Time per Response (minutes) Total Annual Hours Weekly update of movie listings 1,813 52 94,276 10 15,713 Total Annual Estimated Hours All firms together are expected to spend about 15,713 hours yearly to meet this requirement. Estimated Cost There is no new cost for theaters to meet this rule. Updating movie listings is already a normal part of movie theater business. The extra work to add symbols or notes about accessibility features is considered small. How to Give Comments Anyone can send comments until September 23, 2025. Comments should focus on: If the information is needed, If the burden estimates are correct, Ways to improve the quality and clarity, Ideas to make responding easier. Comments can be sent by mail to the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, by email, or to the Office of Management and Budget. Make sure to include the title: “Requirement that Movie Theaters Provide Notice as to the Availability of Closed Movie Captioning and Audio Description for Digital Movies.” Who to Contact for More Information For more information about this plan or to get materials in another format, contact Roberta Kirkendall, Special Litigation Counsel, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, by mail or call the ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY). Conclusion This required information helps people with hearing or vision disabilities learn which digital movies have closed captions or audio description. The DOJ is seeking public comments before the rules become final. Published: July 25, 2025 Federal Register, Volume 90, Issue 141 Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Seeks Public Comments on National Crime Victimization Survey Changes Estimated reading time: 4–6 minutes On July 24, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), published a notice in the Federal Register about the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). The BJS is asking the public for comments on a planned update for the NCVS. The updates must be approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The public can send comments for 60 days, ending on September 22, 2025. The NCVS collects national information about how often people in the United States experience crime. The survey counts crimes both reported and not reported to the police. The NCVS also collects data on how police handle reports and how safe people feel in their communities. Every so often, the survey process is updated. The 2026 update uses new methods to better represent the U.S. population using 2020 census data. Details of the Collection: Type: This is a revision of a currently approved collection. Title: National Crime Victimization Survey. Form Numbers: NCVS-1 and NCVS-2. Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Justice Programs. Who Responds: U.S. residents age 12 or older living in selected households. Responding is voluntary. Estimates for the Survey: Total Respondents per Year: 157,439 people. Time to Complete Survey (Average Interview): 34.4 minutes. Time for Non-Interviewed Respondents: 9.3 minutes. Follow-up Interview Time: 7 minutes. Follow-up for Non-interview: 1 minute. Annual Burden (Total Hours): 123,202 hours. Annual Cost Burden: $0. Burden Hours by Activity: Activity Respondents Frequency Annual Responses Time per Response (minutes) Annual Burden (hours) Interviewed 91,312 2 182,624 34.4 104,698 Non-interviewed 56,772 2 113,544 9.3 17,599 Re-interview (Interviews) 7,484 1 7,484 7.0 873 Re-interview (Non-interviews) 1,871 1 1,871 1.0 31 Unduplicated Totals 157,439 — 305,523 — 123,202 How to Comment or Get More Information: Those with suggestions or questions can contact Rachel Morgan, Chief of the Victimization Statistics Unit at the BJS. Her office is located at 999 N Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20531. Email and phone contacts are also provided: [email protected], 202-307-0765. For further information, Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer at the DOJ, is also listed as a contact. Key Points for Comments: The DOJ asks the public to focus on these points in their comments: Is the survey needed for the BJS to do its job well? Are the time estimates and methods correct? Can the collected information be improved? Can the burden on respondents be reduced by using technology? The deadline for public comments is September 22, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Proposes New Data Collection for Violence Against Women Act Grants Estimated reading time: 4–6 minutes The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), part of the Department of Justice, has announced a new proposal for collecting information from grantees of programs under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These changes are explained in a notice published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. What is the New Plan? The OVW wants to combine 19 current performance reporting forms into one new, streamlined system. This system will collect data from groups that receive money under VAWA. It will cover both “formula” programs, such as STOP and SASP, and “discretionary” programs. This means all grantees and subgrantees will use the same online reporting platform. Who Will Use This System? The new system will be used by: Formula grant program administrators Formula grant subgrantees Discretionary grant program grantees These groups include local, state, and tribal governments, courts, non-profits, schools, colleges, coalitions, and other groups. How Does It Work? The new system uses a web-based form. The form is tailored for each grant program. Grantees will only complete sections about activities funded by their grant. Why Change the Old System? Currently, 19 different forms are in use, collecting similar or repetitive data in different ways. The new plan will: Make reporting easier and faster Use clearer questions Cut out repeated questions Allow electronic submission This is expected to improve the quality, usability, and consistency of the data. It will also make future updates easier if VAWA or government needs change. How Much Work Will This Involve? The estimate for reporting is: About 6,112 groups will need to report Each form takes about 60 minutes to complete The workload for each group is: Formula administrators: 112 responses per year (once a year per respondent) Formula subgrantees: 3,000 responses per year (once per respondent) Discretionary grantees: 6,000 responses per year (twice per respondent) The total amount of reporting time is estimated at 9,112 hours per year. How Much Does It Cost? The OVW estimates the total annual cost to review the reports and keep the system running is $800,000. What Happens Next? This is a proposed plan. The OVW wants public feedback. Comments will be accepted until September 22, 2025. If you have questions or want to comment, contact Tiffany Watson at the Office on Violence Against Women at 202-307-6026, or email OVW for a copy of the collection instrument or more information. Conclusion The Department of Justice is working to make it easier and faster for groups to report on activities funded by Violence Against Women Act grants. The new system is designed to cut paperwork and improve the way data is collected and used. Groups affected by these changes can learn more and share their feedback before September 22. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Proposes Changes to National Prisoner Statistics Program Estimated reading time: 4–6 minutes The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), a part of the U.S. Department of Justice, is planning to update the National Prisoner Statistics program (NPS). The BJS has asked the public for comments on this plan. Comments will be accepted for 60 days, ending on September 22, 2025. Information Collected The NPS program collects yearly numbers about prisoners held by state and federal prisons. It tracks the number of people admitted and released. The information is used to report on how people move through the prison system each year. This helps the BJS show changes in the prison population and supports the work of many people. Key Changes One change is that questions about HIV/AIDS will be removed. These may come back in special health supplements in the future. The BJS also plans to test a new way to collect race and ethnicity data. This matches the rules in the 2024 OMB Statistical Policy Directive No. 15. The BJS will also check if more race and ethnicity data can be collected from the current data systems. Who Must Report NPS-1B: Used by 51 reporters (one from each state and the Federal Bureau of Prisons). NPS-1B(T): Used by five reporters from U.S. Territories or Commonwealths (Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands, American Samoa). Information Required from States and Federal Prisons Each year, the 51 reporters must give details including: The number of men and women in prison as of December 31, sorted by sentence length and if they are unsentenced. How many people are housed in private, county, or other facilities. Admission types: new court commitments, parole violators, other transfers, and returns. Release types: finished sentences, commutations, probation, parole, deaths by cause, transfers, and other categories. Prisoners by race and Hispanic origin. U.S. citizenship status of prisoners. The source used for citizenship data. The capacities of prisons, broken down by sex. Information Required from Territories and Commonwealths Each year, the five reporters from the territories must provide: Number of men and women in prison as of December 31 by sentence length, and how complete those numbers are. People sent to other places to reduce overcrowding. Prisoners by race and Hispanic origin. The end-of-year capacities of correctional facilities by sex. Why This Matters The Bureau of Justice Statistics uses the collected information for government reports. These reports are used by Congress, the President, researchers, students, media, and others interested in crime and justice data. Response Details Responding to the survey is voluntary. Each of the 51 main respondents will spend about 4.5 hours each year on the NPS-1B form. The five territory respondents will each spend about 2 hours on the NPS-1B(T) form. The total estimated burden is 795 hours over three years, or about 265 hours per year. The overall cost for all respondents is estimated at $577,000 per year. Contact Information For questions or copies of the data collection forms, contact Derek Mueller, Bureau of Justice Statistics, at 999 N Capitol St. NE, Washington, DC 20531, or call 202-307-0765. If you need more information, you can also contact Darwin Arceo at the Department of Justice, 145 N Street NE, Washington, DC 20530. Publication Information This notice was published in the Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 140, on July 24, 2025. The notice number is 2025-13933. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

DOJ Announces Proposed Changes to Federal Firearms Licensee NICS Forms Estimated reading time: 2-3 minutes The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has announced a proposed revision to the information collection for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). This proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025. The revision concerns important forms related to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). These forms include the FFL Enrollment/NICS E-Check Enrollment Form, the FFL Officer/Employee Acknowledgment of Responsibilities under the NICS Form, and the Responsibilities of an FFL under the NICS Form. The FBI is inviting public comments on the proposed changes. The comment period is open for 60 days, ending September 22, 2025. The changes include adding four new fields to the form. The new questions ask for the FFL’s date of birth and the mother’s maiden name for security reasons. There is also a new question for FFLs in Point of Contact (POC) states. If the FFL operates in a POC state, they must confirm they will use the FBI NICS system for authorized purposes only. The main purpose of collecting this information is to control access to the NICS and NICS Electronic (E-Check) systems. The forms help protect the privacy and security of background check information. They ensure only authorized users, like FFLs and employees in POC states, can use the NICS system. The DOJ estimates that 6,160 respondents will complete these forms each year. Completing and reading the forms takes about 15 minutes per person. This results in a total estimated burden of 1,540 hours yearly. The cost for respondents is $0, as the forms are available online and can be signed digitally. No mailing or copying costs are required. The responses are required for FFLs or POC states to obtain access to the NICS system to perform background checks for firearm sales. Anyone needing more information or wishing to review the proposed information collection can contact Jill Montgomery at the FBI NICS Section in Clarksburg, West Virginia. For official details or to send in comments, the announcement provides contact information for Darwin Arceo, the Department Clearance Officer at the Department of Justice. More information on the NICS is available at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

U.S. Marshals Service Requests Comments on Special Deputation Forms Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) is seeking public comments on its Special Deputation Forms. This request was announced by the Department of Justice in the Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 140, on July 24, 2025. The USMS wants to collect feedback as part of a review required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are being accepted for 60 days, ending on September 22, 2025. Collection Details The USMS is revising its current approval for forms used in the Special Deputation Program. These forms help record and track people deputized to act as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals. Special Deputation is permitted when law enforcement needs arise, as decided by the Associate Attorney General under 28 CFR 0.19(a)(3). There are two main forms: USM-3A: Application for Special Deputation/Sponsoring Federal Agency Information. USM-3C: Group Special Deputation Request. These forms are completed by State, Local, and Tribal Governments. Estimated Usage and Burden USM-3A: It is estimated that 8,000 respondents will use this form every year. Each form will take about 10 minutes to complete. This adds up to around 1,333 total annual burden hours. USM-3C: Around 300 respondents are expected to use this form annually, with each taking about 15 minutes. This totals 75 annual burden hours. The annual cost burden for both forms is estimated at $0.00. Table of Annual Burden Activity Number of Respondents Frequency (Annually) Total Annual Responses Time per Response (Mins) Total Annual Burden (Hours) USM-3A Application for Special Deputation 8,000 1 8,000 10 1,333 USM-3C Group Special Deputation Request 300 1 300 15 75 Total 8,300 1,408 Instructions for Comments The USMS is asking for comments about the following points: Is the information necessary for the agency’s work? Is the estimated burden and response time correct? Can the quality and clarity be improved? How can the burden on respondents be reduced, for example, by using electronic submissions? People needing more information or wishing to submit comments can contact Assistant Chief Karl Slazer, Management Support Division, US Marshals Service Headquarters, 1215 S Clark St., Ste. 10017, Arlington, VA 22202-4387. Phone: 703-740-2316, or email: [email protected]. If further information is needed, contact Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice. The notice is signed by Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer for PRA, dated July 22, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Justice Department Corrects Notice on Immigration Appeal Form Fees After Recent Law Change Estimated reading time: 3–5 minutes The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a correction regarding the collection of information for the Notice of Appeal From a Decision of an Immigration Judge, Form EOIR-26. The correction was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2025, by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The update relates to an earlier notice that appeared in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025. This correction adds one more change to the information collection process. EOIR will submit the updated collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This follows rules found in the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The comment period for this proposed change is still open until September 2, 2025. Anyone needing more information or wishing to comment on the public burden, response time, or methods related to this collection, can contact Justine Fuga, Associate General Counsel, at the EOIR. Contact details are: Address: 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls Church, VA 22041 Telephone: (703) 305-0265 Email: [Contact information provided in the original source] The correction makes the instructions for how to file Form EOIR-26, both by mail and electronically, more clear. It also updates information about new filing fees. These fee changes are the result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), H.R. 1, which became law on July 4, 2025. The corrected estimated annual cost is $12,747,978 for the public. According to EOIR estimates: 12,487 responses each year come from applicants who have to pay a filing fee. 647 responses come from Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS ICE) employees, who are not required to pay a filing fee. The cost per response is as follows: For regular applicants: $0.80 for printing, $10.10 for postage, and $1,010 for the filing fee. The total per response is $1,020.90. For DHS ICE: $0.80 for printing, $10.10 for postage, and no filing fee. The total per response is $10.90. Total annual costs are calculated as follows: $1,020.90 multiplied by 12,487 responses equals $12,747,978 for applicants required to pay. $10.90 multiplied by 647 responses equals $7,052 for DHS ICE. The correction is signed by Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer for PRA, DOJ. This update ensures the information collection aligns with the new law and provides clarity on costs and filing instructions. The public and interested parties may continue to submit comments until September 2, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.

Department of Justice Proposes New Rules on Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Estimated reading time: 8–10 minutes On July 22, 2025, the Department of Justice published a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The rule sets out how people can apply for relief from federal laws that stop them from having guns. Why the Rule Is Needed The Gun Control Act makes it illegal for some people to have firearms. This includes people with certain criminal records, people with mental health commitments, and others considered dangerous. But the Act also gives people a way to ask for their rights back. This is called “relief from disabilities.” Before 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) handled these requests. Problems appeared. There were not enough rules for deciding who should get their rights back. Some dangerous people got their rights restored, and later, committed crimes. Because of this, Congress stopped ATF from using funds to process these applications in 1992. Recently, the Attorney General took authority away from ATF and announced a new rule would be made. About the Proposed Rule The new rule sets out clear criteria for granting relief. It tries to keep dangerous people from getting guns, while respecting the Second Amendment. Presumptive Disqualifications Convictions for violent or dangerous felonies like murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, domestic violence, burglary, robbery, arson, and more. Felony sex offenses. People required to register as sex offenders. Anyone convicted of a felony using guns or explosives. Anyone convicted in the past 10 years of drug distribution crimes. Anyone convicted in the past 10 years for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or shown to still be violent. Anyone convicted in the past 5 years for other felony offenses. People currently in prison or on probation, parole, or supervision. People subject to certain other gun disqualifications (like being a fugitive, using illegal drugs, being under restraining orders, or being in the country illegally). Anyone denied under these rules in the past. Looking at the Whole Story The Attorney General can look at all the facts of a person’s case—not just the official name of the crime. This means the actual conduct, not just the law’s wording, is used to decide eligibility. The rule says applications will also require input from local law enforcement. What Applicants Must Do Applicants must give: Detailed records about past convictions. Proof that criminal sentences are completed. Reference letters from people not related to them. Personal affirmations about their behavior and character. Notification to the chief law enforcement officer in their area. Applicants must show they are not dangerous and that restoring their rights is in the public interest. Fees The Department estimates about 1 million people will apply in the first year. Applicants must pay a $20 fee (unless poor, then a waiver may be requested). This covers costs for handling the applications. Reviewing Applications The Attorney General will review each applicant’s full criminal record, behavior during supervision, time since release, current mental health, community reputation, drug or alcohol use, and more. Input from police chiefs or sheriffs will be considered. Any false information in the application can cause removal of granted rights. Other Points The relief applies only to federal gun laws. State gun bans are not changed by this rule. The rule applies to people and gun dealers. Changes are made to access federal gun background system records. If rights are restored but the person commits a new crime, the relief can be taken back. How to Comment Comments on the rule are due by October 20, 2025. People can use regulations.gov or mail a comment to the U.S. Department of Justice. Impact The Department says the rule will help protect public safety, make the process clearer, and allow fair restoration of rights. It says the new system will be fair and follow the law. For more details, see the Federal Register, Volume 90, Number 138, pages 34394–34405, dated July 22, 2025. Legal Disclaimer This article includes content collected from the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content is not an official government publication. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For case-specific consultation, please contact us. Read our full Legal Disclaimer, which also includes information on translation accuracy.