Block IV - General, Operations and International Law (GENOIL) Flashcards
What is the acronym FOIA?
Freedom of Information Act
What is FOIA governed by?
5 USC § 552 and DoD Manual (DoDM) 5400.07_AFMAN 33-302, Freedom of Information Act Program
Can a federal agency use an FOIA to request official information
No
Outline how Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are processed within the Air Force when there’s any denial (W)
Written request for information sent to FOIA office →
FOIA monitor forwards request to office of primary responsibility (OPR) for initial review →
OPR recommends which document(s) apply to request and redactions based on exception(s) and law enforcement exclusion(s). If records requested don’t exist, they make that known and sends it to the legal office for review →
Legal office performs legal review, only required if OPR is recommending denial (redaction) or full denial of any information before responding to request. →
If denial of request: the file is forwarded to the Initial Denial Authority (IDA) (usually wing or vice CC) but can be a GS-13+ or O-4+. IDA informs sender of reason for delay if not made within the 20 working day timeline. →
MAJCOM JA for final authority
Outline how Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are processed within the Air Force when there’s not any denial (W)
Written request for information sent to FOIA office →
FOIA monitor forwards request to office of primary responsibility (OPR) for initial review →
OPR recommends which document(s) apply to request and redactions based on exception(s) and law enforcement exclusion(s). If records requested do not require any denials, the records are sent back to the FOIA office for response to requester.
State the timeline for initial response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (W)
20 working days
Who can the Initial Denial Authority (IDA) regarding an FOIA request be delegated down to from the wing commander?
Vice commander
GS-13 and above
O-4 and above
How many exemptions are there under FOIA?
Nine.
List the common exemptions from releasing information through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (W)
Exemptions:
(b) (1)
(b) (2)
(b) (3)
(b) (6)
(b) (7)(A)
What is Exemption (b)(1)?
Prohibits the release of classified information
What is FOIA exemption (b)(2)?
States that records do not have to be released if they are related solely to an agency’s internal personnel rules and practices
What is FOIA exemption (b)(3)?
Limits the release of information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute
What is FOIA exemption (b)(6)?
Permits the government to withhold all information about an individual in personnel, medical, and similar files when disclosing such information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
What is FOIA exemption (b)(7)(A)?
Authorizes the withholding of records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that production of such law enforcement records or information could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.
What is the AFI that governs Privacy Act (PA)?
AFI 33-332, Air Force Privacy and Civil Liberties Program
State the purpose of the Privacy Act (W)
Governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information (PII) maintained on individuals.
It ensures the government’s need for information is balanced against an individual’s right to privacy
List information covered under the PA (Privacy Act) (W)
Education records
Financial transactions
Medical history
Criminal history
Employment history
This includes records containing a name, identifying number or symbol and any other identifier unique to an individual
What are common identifiers unique to an individual?
Fingerprint
voiceprint
photograph
records about an individual maintained by agencies in the executive branch of the gov
Is PII a broad definition?
PII is a very broad definition and generally refers to any type of personal information that is linked or linkable to a person
PA prohibits disclosure of personal information within a records system without the individual’s prior written consent to whom the record pertains, However, how many exemptions are there to the “no disclosure without consent” rule?
Twelve exemptions; and there are times when PA information may be released without the individuals consent.
The most common reasons are civil or criminal law enforcement activity and written request is sent to the agency that maintains the record
State the punishments for unauthorized release of Privacy Act Information (W)
Any official or individual could be found guilty of misdemeanor and fined not more than $5,000 if they willfully disclose PA information from a system of records, knowing that dissemination is prohibited to anyone not entitled to receive the information
Can the Air Force have a lawsuit brought against them for failing to comply with the PA?
Yes! Any official or individual can get a misdemeanor criminal charge, and a fine of up to $5,000 per incident.
What is AFI 33-332?
AFI 33-332, Air Force Privacy and Civil Liberties Program
Identify the primary purposes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). (W)
The purpose of HIPAA is to govern the access and or release of records, specifically medical records and health information.
Ensures privacy of individually identifiable health information and simplifies administration of healthcare
The HIPAA Privacy rules creates national standards to protect individuals _________ records and other personal __________ information (PHI)
Medical records; Health information
What AFI provides guidance on HIPAA?
AFI 41-200, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What are the HIPAA functions?
Gives patients right to examine, obtain, and request corrections of their health records
Establishes appropriate safeguards health care providers and others must achieve to protect the privacy of health information
Holds violators accountable, with civil and criminal penalties
Use or disclosure, or request for PHI, is limited to the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose of the use, disclosure, or request, unless there is an exception to the minimum necessary rule
List the purposes for which healthcare related information may be released (W)
Not all-inclusive
As required by law
Public Health activities
Conenction w/ a judicial or administrative proceeding
Info regarding a victim of domestic violence, neglect and abuse
Health oversight activities
Law enforcement purposes
Info about decedents
To avert a serious threat to health or safety
Use of specialized gov functions
What are the common reasons legal office personnel request medical records via HIPAA?
Processing cases for court, discharge, or other administrative processes where records are deemed necessary
What are the functions of HIPAA?
Gives patients the right to obtain and examine their own health records and request corrections
Establishes safeguards to protect health information privacy
Holds violators accountable w/ civil and criminal penalties
Use, disclosure, or request for PHI is limited to minimum amount of information needed unless there is an exception to the minimum necessary rule.
What can violators of HIPAA be charged with?
A crime or civil and administrative penalties for unauthorized disclosures of PHI
What is the OGE Form 450 and 278? And are for who?
Confidential Financial Disclosure
Individuals who deal in the procurement of services for the Air Force
State when an off-duty employment application must submitted (W)
When seeking employment outside the Air Force
List the coordinating/approval authorities for off-duty employment requests (W)
Direct supervisor of individual → Legal office for review → sent to member’s CC who approves or disapproves
What are Off-duty employment reviewed for?
Ensures that the off-duty employment:
Does not interfere with or is incompatible with performing their gov duties
Does not or may not bring discredit upon the gov or DoD
Does not or may not tend to create a conflict of interest
Will not detract from readiness or pose a security risk
What form is used to request off-duty employment?
AF Form 3902, Application and Approval for Off-duty Employment
What DAFI guides situations that require Line of Duty (LOD) determinations?
DAFI 36-2910, Line of Duty (LOD) Determination, Medical Continuation (MEDCON), and Incapacitation (INCAP) Pay
What form is used for Line of Duty Determinations?
AF Form 348, Line of Duty Determination
What does the LOD find regarding a member’s illness, injury, disease or death?
If it existed before service and whether that condition was aggravated by service
Occurred while the member was AWOL
Was due to member’s misconduct
When does federal law require a LOD determination be performed?
When a member has an illness, injury, or disease that:
Results in AD member’s inability to work for more than 24 hours
Likelihood of permanent disability
Resulted in death
Requires medical treatment of the ARC; regardless of ability to perform duties
Involves alcohol or drug abuse
Occurred during AWOL
Occurred during course of conduct for which charges have been preferred under UCMJ
When is a Informal LOD done?
When an administrative LOD is not appropriate
Does a LOD stop or not happen just because the member was not hospitalized?
No
Identify step-by-step procedures for processing Line of Duty (LOD) determinations (W)
When a medical officers see’s a member fall into one of the illness, injury or disease
Administrative LOD:
(paper process): makes an administrative determination that the illness, injury or disease occurred while in a duty status as a hostile casualty (other than death), passenger on mil or civ acft, did not involve misconduct, abuse of substances, or self-injurious behavior, and is simple and unlikely to result in permanent disability.
Once c/w, the LOD is final and no further action required
Informal LOD:
Medical fills out AF Form 348 with narrative of medical condition, & forwards to member’s CC →
CC conducts investigation, considers info & makes recommendation (ILOD, NILOD, Formal LOD determination) on Form 348 & sends to legal office →
Legal office determines if CCs recommendation is legally sufficient and forwards to appointing authority →
appointing authority reviews CC and legal office recommendations and make final determination
If App Auth finds member ILOD or NILOD w/o misconduct then LOD is finalized.
If app auth finds the LOD should be found, then they annotate on the 348 & appoint an IO to conduct an investigation
What form is supplemental to the AF Form 348, Line of Duty Determination in a Formal LOD?
DD Form 261, Report of Investigation Line of Duty and Misconduct Status
Identify step-by-step procedures for a Formal LOD
Formal LOD:
IO conducts investigation, completes portion of DD Form 261, IO makes decision →
SJA performs legal review for legal sufficiency on decision →
documents sent to reviewing authority for review and fills out portion of DD Form 261, sends to approving authority →
approving authority approves or disapproves the LOD, routes to FSS →
mbr is notified of decision
Who can be the Investigating Officer (IO) for a Formal LOD?
Disinterested Captain (O-3) or above AND senior in rank to member being investigated
List the possible findings resulting from a Line of Duty (LOD) determination (W)
Informal LOD:
In-Line of Duty (ILOD)
Not in Line of Duty (NILOD) - Not due to member’s misconduct
Formal LOD
Formal LOD:
In-Line of Duty (ILOD)
Not in Line of Duty - NOT Due to Member’s Misconduct
Not in Line of Duty - Due to Member’s Misconduct
Can a formal LOD start as informal?
Yes
Discuss what the ILOD entails?
The member’s illness, injury, disease or death was not due to the member’s misconduct
Incurred when member was present for duty, absent with authority, or was service aggravated
This includes any status for ARC members
Discuss what the NILOD - Not due to Member’s Misconduct entails
Formal investigation determined member’s illness, injury, disease or death occurred while the member was absent w/o authority or when the member’s condition existed before they entered the service and was not service aggravated
Discuss what the NILOD - Due to Member’s Misconduct entails
When formal investigation determined the member’s illness, injury, disease or death was proximately caused by the member’s own misconduct
What is the standard or proof use for LOD determinations?
Preponderance of the evidence - the greater weight of credible evidence (more likely than not, the scenario happened)
What evidence can be used in LOD determinations?
direct, indirect, and medical documentation evidence
Identify the purpose of the Financial Liability Investigation program (W)
Serves as the basis for the government’s claim for restitution
Research and investigate cause of loss, damage, or destruction of property, and if it’s attributable to an individuals negligence or abuse
Assess or relieve monetary liability against individual based on evidence
Provide documentation to support adjustment of accountable records
Provide CCs w/ case histories that enable corrective action to prevent reoccurrence.
How much can an individual be held liable for if found to be responsible during an FLI?
One month’s base pay
How many days should an FLI be processed within?
90 days
What is FLI?
Financial Liability Investigation. It is a report of the facts and circumstances supporting the assessment of financial liability for loss, damage, or destruction of AF property.
What form is used in an FLI?
DD Form 200, Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss
State the basic facts about Financial Liability Investigation (W)
Investigation is required when:
Damage or destruction of sensitive, classified or leased property
Damage or destruction of real property
Any loss where there is indication of fraud, theft or negligence
Cases w/ evidence of abuse or negligence where gov-owned asset has inital cost of $5,000+
When is a FLI not required?
Individual voluntarily agrees to pay for property if items are not subject to mandatory FLI requirements
Property lost in combat ops or becomes unserviceable due to normal wear and tear
Identify steps for processing a Financial Liability Investigation (W)
The org that owns the property initiates the FLI →
unit CC or appointing auth appoints an IO →
IO investigates and reports to appointing auth w/ recommendation →
Appointing auth reviews IO findings and takes final action if there is no negligence, misconduct or deliberate unauthorized use
If IO recommends assessing financial liability on member the file is sent to SJA →
SJA does legal review of statements, evidence, and value of items →
Approving authority makes final decision, if holding a member accountable, they decide the amount
Who decides the amount someone must repay in an FLI?
The approving authority
What is the first question asked in regards to the legal review for FLI’s?
Is there any evidence of negligence
What is DoDD 5500.7-R?
Joint Ethics Regulation (JER)
What is the JER?
Single source of standards of ethical conduct and ethics guidance for the DoD
Recall basic gift rules under the Joint Ethics Regulation (W)
In general, employees shall not give a gift or contribute to a gift for a superior with exceptions
Occasional basis - traditional gift giving holidays, $10 or less
On special, infrequent occasions - Special occasions or where superior - subordinate relationship ends. Not more than $10 per person, max of $300
Can an employee be forced/required to donate for gifts?
No.
State basic travel rules under the Joint Ethics Regulation (W)
`A federal employee can accept on-the-spot travel benefits as long as:
It does not interfere with mission accomplishment (missing RNLTD),
no additional cost to the federal gov (taking later flight but getting a hotel at gov cost),
benefits generally open to public, and not offered due to rank or position.
Cannot fly in first class in uniform
Can you sit in first class while in uniform?
No. Avoids perception that tax payers are paying for military members first class tickets
Recall basic facts of other rules under Joint Ethics Regulation (W)
Disqualifying financial interest (I.e. telling an employee to order from a company that his wife owns)
You can use GoFundMe to facilitate collection process if:
The fundraising or gift rules permit collecting funds for stated purpose and
if the GoFundMe can be structured to meet applicable requirements