[Federal Register: September 5, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 172)]
[Rules and Regulations]               

UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY

22 CFR 514
 
Exchange Visitor Program

AGENCY: United States Information Agency.

ACTION: Final rule.

-------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agency adopts as final and without change the 
interim final rule governing au pair program participation 
adopted June 27, 1997.

DATES: This rule is effective September 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Exchange Visitor Program 
Services, Program Designation Branch, United States Information 
Agency, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington DC 20547; Telephone 
(202) 401-9810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency adopted an interim final 
rule governing au pair program participation on June 27, 1997 
(62 FR 34632.)  This interim final rule amended existing au pair
program regulations adopted February 15, 1995 (60 FR 8547.) 
Specifically, the interim rule further defined the selection and 
screening requirements for au pair participants and required that 
participants actually attend rather than merely enroll for six 
hours of academic credit.  Further, the number of hours that 
au pair may provide child care services was limited to no more 
than 10 hours per day and forty-five hours in any given week.

    The Agency provided for a thirty day public comment period 
which ended July 27, 1997 and received forty-one comments.  The 
Agency reviewed those comments and found that all comments received 
objected to the educational program component, the wage to be paid 
to the au pair participant, or the limitation on the number of hours 
an au pair participant may work.  Due to the Agency's past review of 
these three specific areas of the au pair program, the Agency has 
determined that it is appropriate to adopt the interim final 
regulation as final and without modification notwithstanding these 
comments from interested members of the public.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 514

    Cultural exchange programs.

    Dated: August 29, 1997.

Les Jin,
General Counsel.








PART 514--EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 22 CFR part 514 which 
was published at 62 FR 34633 on June 27, 1997 is adopted as a final 
rule without change.

[FR Doc. 97-23624 Filed 9-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8230-01-M