Privacy Act of 1974, as Amended: Proposed New Routine Use and Updated Retention and Disposal

Pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, we are issuing public notice of our intent to add a new routine use to, and update the retention and disposal schedule of, an existing system of records entitled: Representative Disqualification, Suspension and Non- Recognition Information File, (60-0219). This system was last published in the Federal Register, 75 FR 25904 (May 10, 2010). The new routine use will allow broader disclosure to a bar disciplinary authority, court, or administrative tribunal before the agency imposes sanctions against a representative. The Office of General Counsel will use this new routine use to disclose records regarding the agency's investigation of an attorney, as well as records regarding non- attorneys misrepresenting themselves as attorneys, and non-attorneys continuing to practice despite non-recognition, suspension, or disqualification by the agency. The new routine use will allow for broader disclosure of representative misconduct to promote the integrity of our programs. The update to the retention and disposal section is based on the agency's specific records schedules. The new routine use and update to the retention and disposal section are described below.