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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-06-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0960-AH63</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>201410</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0960</CODE>
            <NAME>Social Security Administration</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>SSA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Revisions to Representative Code of Conduct (3835P)</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[This regulatory change adds several affirmative duties and prohibited actions for representatives, including the requirement to assist claimants with complying with the directive to submit all evidence. We will also clarify some of our rules regarding processing representative sanction actions at the hearing and Appeals Council levels and change the timeframe for suspended representatives to request reinstatement when the Appeals Council denies an initial request for reinstatement from 1 to 3 years.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>Undetermined</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>Undetermined</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>Not Yet Determined</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>Not Yet Determined</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[We revised the rules of conduct in 2011 and are further clarifying our expectations about the obligations of representatives to competently represent their clients.  These changes are necessary because our current regulations do not address some representative conduct that we find inappropriate.  We are also updating procedures we use when we bring charges against a representative for violating our rules of conduct.  These changes will allow us to better protect the integrity of our administrative process and further clarify representatives' responsibilities in their conduct with us and claimants.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[Administrative--not required by statute or court order.]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[Based on our program experience, there are no alternatives at this time.  These rules will be based on recommendations.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[The administrative effect of this regulation is negligible.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[Undetermined.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>01/00/2015</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Undetermined</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Undetermined</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PUBLIC_COMMENT_URL>www.regulations.gov</PUBLIC_COMMENT_URL>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>William</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Gibson</LAST_NAME>
                <MIDDLE_NAME>P.</MIDDLE_NAME>
                <TITLE>Social Insurance Specialist, Regulations Writer</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0960</CODE>
                    <NAME>Social Security Administration</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>SSA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>410 966-9039</PHONE>
                <EMAIL>william.gibson@ssa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>Office of Regulations and Reports Clearance, 6401 Security Boulevard,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Baltimore</CITY>
                    <STATE>MD</STATE>
                    <ZIP>21235-6401</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
