[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2259 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2259

   To amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for 
                  volunteers, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2017

Mr. Poe of Texas (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in 
  addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and 
Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
        fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for 
                  volunteers, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement 
Act''.

SEC. 2. PROVISIONS FOR CURRENT AND FORMER VOLUNTEERS OF THE PEACE 
              CORPS.

    (a) Enhanced Compensation Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Section 8142 of title 5, United States 
        Code, is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``GS-7'' 
                        and inserting ``GS-11''; and
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                        redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
                        paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subsection:
    ``(d)(1) The Director of the Peace Corps shall provide the initial 
furnishing of medical and other benefits under section 8103(b) of this 
title to any former volunteer for the 180-day period beginning on the 
date of termination of the service of such volunteer, to the extent 
that the Director determines that such benefits are given with respect 
to an injury that is probably compensable under this section (as such 
term is defined for purposes of section 8103(b)). The provision of such 
benefits may be authorized directly or by the certification of 
vouchers, in accordance with section 8103(b).
    ``(2) A volunteer may not be provided medical or other benefits 
pursuant to paragraph (1) unless the injury with respect to which such 
benefits would be provided was proximately caused by the employment of 
such volunteer under subsection (c)(2).
    ``(3) Notwithstanding the 180-day limitation period under paragraph 
(1), a volunteer may receive medical or other benefits provided 
pursuant to such paragraph with respect to an injury until the date on 
which the Secretary of Labor makes a final determination with respect 
to compensation for such injury under this section, if the volunteer 
applied for such compensation before the last day of such limitation 
period.
    ``(4) The Director shall consult with health experts outside the 
Peace Corps, including experts licensed in the field of mental health, 
in order to provide the best standard of care.
    ``(5) The provisions of section 8116(c) of this title regarding 
liability shall apply with respect to benefits provided to a former 
volunteer under this section in the same manner and to the same extent 
as such provisions apply with respect to benefits provided to an 
employee of the United States.''.
            (2) Applicability.--The amendments made by paragraph (1)(A) 
        shall apply with respect to any compensation paid pursuant to 
        section 8142 of title 5, United States Code, on or after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Health Care for Volunteers; Criminal Liability for Acts Against 
Volunteers.--Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (e), by striking ``receive such 
        immunization and dental care preparatory to their service'' and 
        inserting ``receive, preparatory to their service, such 
        immunization and dental care, and (in accordance with 
        subsection (o)) such trial prescriptions'';
            (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``section, and'' and 
        inserting ``section), and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(o) The Director of the Peace Corps may only prescribe mefloquine 
to a volunteer, including as a trial prescription to a volunteer who 
chooses to use such medication before departing the United States to a 
post, on an individual basis and in accordance with relevant 
recommendations or guidelines issued by the Director of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention or the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, 
after counseling such volunteer about the benefits, risks, and side 
effects of each available medication for the prophylaxis of malaria. 
The Director shall monitor the volunteer during the course of such 
prescription for the development of any side effects (or determine that 
the volunteer has been so monitored), evaluate the volunteer at the 
completion of such course for evidence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (or 
determine that the volunteer has been so evaluated), and report to the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the 
Commissioner of Food and Drugs any such side effects or symptoms. A 
volunteer may only switch to the use of mefloquine from another drug 
for the prophylaxis of malaria while serving at a post if another 
medication for the prophylaxis of malaria is simultaneously provided to 
such volunteer in a manner that ensures continuous protection against 
malaria.
    ``(p) It is the policy of the United States to recognize the 
importance of Peace Corps volunteers and the core function that such 
volunteers play within the agency. The President should therefore 
prioritize the provision of health care services and necessary safety 
and security support for all volunteers.
    ``(q)(1) Whoever engages in conduct outside the United States 
against a volunteer that would constitute an offense under any section 
listed in paragraph (2) if the conduct had been engaged in within the 
special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as 
defined in section 7 of title 18, United States Code) shall be punished 
as provided for that offense.
    ``(2) The sections listed in this paragraph are sections 113, 1111, 
1112, 1113, 1117 (to the extent that such section applies to section 
1111), 1201, 2241, 2242, 2244, and 2261A of title 18, United States 
Code.
    ``(3) For purposes of this subsection, paragraph (9)(B) (regarding 
residences in foreign countries) of section 7 of title 18, United 
States Code, shall include the residences used by volunteers in foreign 
countries and the land appurtenant or ancillary thereto, irrespective 
of ownership.''.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS REGARDING EMPLOYEES OF THE PEACE CORPS.

    Section 7 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or paragraph 
                (8)'' after ``paragraph (6)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(8)(A) The Director of the Peace Corps may designate a position 
as a `critical management position' or a `critical management support 
position' if the position requires specialized technical or 
professional skills and knowledge of Peace Corps operations, such as 
positions that involve volunteer health services, financial management, 
information technology, procurement, personnel, legal services, or 
safety or security.
    ``(B) Notwithstanding any limitation set forth in paragraph (2) and 
subject to subparagraph (C), an appointment or assignment to a critical 
management position or a critical management support position 
designated under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and any extension 
of such appointment or assignment shall be for a term of not more than 
five years.
    ``(C) The Director shall ensure that any decision regarding an 
appointment, assignment, or extension of such appointment or assignment 
to a critical management position or a critical management support 
position shall be consistent with Peace Corps policies and based on 
operational and programmatic factors.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d)(1)(A) The President shall ensure that each overseas post has 
the services of a medical office that is consistent in size and scope 
with the needs of the Peace Corps at such post, including, if 
necessary, by detailing to any such post the licensed medical staff of 
other United States departments, agencies, or establishments.
    ``(B) An individual may be hired as a Peace Corps Medical Officer 
after consideration of the following criteria:
            ``(i) Medical training, experience, accreditations, and 
        other qualifications.
            ``(ii) Administrative capabilities.
            ``(iii) Understanding of the local language and culture.
            ``(iv) Ability to work in the English language.
            ``(v) Interpersonal skills.
            ``(vi) Record of performance.
            ``(vii) Any other factors the Director of the Peace Corps 
        determines appropriate.
    ``(2) The Director of the Peace Corps shall ensure that each Peace 
Corps Medical Officer serving in a malaria-endemic country receives 
training in the recognition of the side effects caused by the use of 
mefloquine and the data supporting the patient information handouts 
required by the Food and Drug Administration regarding mefloquine, 
including the potential capacity of the drug to cause permanent 
neuropsychiatric effects.''.

SEC. 4. MONITORING TRAINING RECORDS.

    Section 8 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
        new sentences: ``As a part of such training, the President, in 
        coordination with the Inspector General of the Peace Corps, 
        shall provide each volunteer with information regarding the 
        mandate of the Inspector General and the availability 
        (including contact information) of the Inspector General as a 
        resource for volunteers. The President shall provide such 
        information at least once during training that occurs prior to 
        enrollment and at least once during each significant instance 
        of training after enrollment.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) The President shall implement procedures to maintain a 
written record verifying the attendance of each individual completing 
training provided to meet each requirement in this section and sections 
8A, 8B, 8F, and 8G(b).''.

SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES TO APPLICANTS FOR ENROLLMENT AS 
              VOLUNTEERS.

    Section 8A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507a) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Information Regarding Crimes and Risks.--Each applicant for 
enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided, with respect to the 
country in which the applicant has been invited to serve, with 
information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers, including 
an overview of past crimes against volunteers in such country, the 
current early termination rate of volunteers serving in such country, 
any health risks prevalent in such country, and the level of 
satisfaction reported by volunteers serving in such country. Upon 
receiving such information, the applicant shall have the option to 
timely decline the invitation without retaliation and with priority to 
be invited to serve in a different country.''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)(2)(B), in clause (iii), by striking 
        ``victim advocates'' and inserting ``Victim's Advocates,''.

SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL 
              ASSAULT.

    Paragraph (3) of section 8B(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 
2507b(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``SARLs'' and inserting ``any employee of 
        the Peace Corps''; and
            (2) by striking ``Victim Advocate'' and inserting 
        ``Victim's Advocate''.

SEC. 7. OFFICE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY.

    Section 8C of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507c) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``victim advocate'' in each place it 
        appears and inserting ``Victim's Advocate'';
            (2) by striking ``victim advocates'' in each place it 
        appears and inserting ``Victim's Advocates''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (e).

SEC. 8. REFORM AND EXTENSION OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``not less than 8 individuals'' and 
                inserting ``not fewer than 8 and not more than 14 
                individuals'';
                    (B) by inserting after the first sentence the 
                following new sentence: ``At least one member shall 
                also be licensed in the field of mental health.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentence: ``There shall be no limit to the number of 
                terms an individual may serve as a member of the 
                Council.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and the implementation of such 
                policy'' after ``section 8B''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentence: ``To carry out the functions in this 
                subsection, the Council shall conduct case reviews and 
                shall have access, including through interviews or 
                visits, to volunteers and staff in the field, to 
                volunteer surveys under section 8E, to all data 
                collected from restricted reporting, and to any other 
                information necessary to conduct case reviews, except 
                that the Council may not have access to any personally 
                identifying information associated with such surveys or 
                data.''; and
            (3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2023''.

SEC. 9. PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT FOR VOLUNTEER SURVEYS.

    Section 8E of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507e) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``2018'' and 
                inserting ``2023'';
                    (B) in the third sentence, by striking ``subsection 
                (a)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentences: ``The President shall publish on a publicly 
                available website of the Peace Corps the results of 
                each survey related to volunteer satisfaction in each 
                country in which volunteers serve, and the early 
                termination rate of volunteers serving in each such 
                country. The information published shall be posted in 
                an easily accessible place near the description of the 
                appropriate country and shall be written in an easily 
                understood manner.''.

SEC. 10. EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

    Section 13 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2512) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Section'' and 
        inserting ``section''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) An expert, consultant, or organization thereof employed 
pursuant to subsection (a) by the Inspector General of the Peace Corps 
may be compensated without regard to the daily equivalent of the 
highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 5, United States 
Code.''.

SEC. 11. REPORT AND SURVEY ON VOLUNTEER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for four years, the 
Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report including each of the following:
            (1) The number of Peace Corps volunteers who returned to 
        the United States in the prior year and whom the Director 
        assisted in resolving difficulties in securing health care 
        benefits through the Department of Labor (including 
        difficulties in receiving health care services or reimbursement 
        for such services).
            (2) The date on which the Director was contacted by each 
        such volunteer to request such assistance.
            (3) If such difficulties were successfully resolved by the 
        Director, the date of each such resolution.
            (4) The average period of time that such resolution was 
        pending, with respect to requests for such assistance in the 
        prior year.
            (5) The rate of satisfaction of such returned volunteers 
        with the quality of such assistance.
    (b) Survey.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Director 
        shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
        report including the results of the survey described in 
        paragraph (2).
            (2) Scope of survey.--The survey described in this 
        paragraph is an annual survey, provided to each former Peace 
        Corps volunteer who accessed post-service health care provided 
        by the Peace Corps, that assesses, with respect to such 
        volunteers, each of the following:
                    (A) The level of awareness of the existence of the 
                Federal Employees' Compensation program and knowledge 
                of the specific health care benefits associated with 
                Peace Corps service that are available under the 
                program.
                    (B) The level of awareness of the application 
                requirements of the program, including eligibility 
                requirements and the documentation that the Department 
                of Labor requires before making a decision regarding 
                benefits under the program.
                    (C) The level of satisfaction with the program, 
                including the timeliness of processing applications and 
                providing reimbursement for health and other benefits.
                    (D) The average time taken by the Secretary of 
                Labor--
                            (i) to review and to approve or deny an 
                        application for benefits under the program; and
                            (ii) to provide a reimbursement for 
                        submitted medical claims.
                    (E) The ability to access medical providers using 
                the benefits provided by the program.
            (3) Paperwork reduction act exemption.--The collection of 
        data for purposes of a report submitted under paragraph (1) is 
        not subject to the requirements of subchapter I of chapter 35 
        of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the 
        ``Paperwork Reduction Act'').
    (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, the 
term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
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