[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2487-S2492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 293. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
by him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2024 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in title XII, insert the
following:
Subtitle __--Peace Corps
SEC. 12_1. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the ``Peace Corps
Reauthorization Act of 2023''.
SEC. 12_2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 3 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (b)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) There is authorized to be appropriated $410,500,000
for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out
this Act.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``that fiscal year and
the subsequent fiscal year'' and inserting ``obligation until
the last day of the subsequent fiscal year''; and
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (e).
SEC. 12_3. READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES FOR VOLUNTEERS AND
VOLUNTEER LEADERS.
Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``insure their health''
and inserting ``ensure their safety, their health,'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``$125'' and inserting ``$375'';
(B) by striking ``his'' each place such term appears and
inserting ``the volunteer's''; and
(C) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the volunteer'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d);
(4) by inserting after subsection (d), as redesignated, the
following:
``(e) The Director shall consult with health experts
outside of the Peace Corps, including experts licensed in the
field of mental health, and follow guidance by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the prescription
of medications to volunteers.'';
(5) in subsection (h), by striking ``he'' and inserting
``the President'';
(6) in subsection (n)(2)--
(A) by striking ``subsection (e)'' each place such term
appears and inserting ``subsection (d)''; and
(B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the President''; and
(7) in subsection (o), by striking ``his'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``the volunteer's''.
[[Page S2488]]
SEC. 12_4. RESTORATION OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJOR
DISRUPTIONS TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
(a) In General.--Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22
U.S.C. 2504), as amended by section 12_3, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(q) Disruption of Service Protocols.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall establish processes
for the safe return to service of returning Peace Corps
volunteers whose service is interrupted due to mandatory
evacuations of volunteers due to catastrophic events or
global emergencies of unknowable duration, which processes
shall include--
``(A) the establishment of monitoring and communications
systems, protocols, safety measures, policies, and metrics
for determining the appropriate approaches for restoring
volunteer opportunities for evacuated returned volunteers
whose service is interrupted by a catastrophic event or
global emergency; and
``(B) streamlining, to the fullest extent practicable,
application requirements for the return to service of such
volunteers.
``(2) Return to service.--Beginning on the date on which
any volunteer described in paragraph (1) returns to service,
the Director shall strive to afford evacuated volunteers, to
the fullest extent practicable, the opportunity--
``(A) to return to their previous country of service,
except for Peace Corps missions in China; and
``(B) to continue their service in the most needed sectors
within the country in which they had been serving immediately
before their evacuation due to a catastrophic event or global
emergency, except for Peace Corps missions in China.''.
(b) Medical Personnel.--Section 5A(b) of the Peace Corps
Act (22 U.S.C. 2504a(b)) is amended, in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by inserting ``, mental health professionals''
after ``medical officers''.
(c) Volunteer Leaders.--Section 6 of the Peace Corps Act
(22 U.S.C. 2505) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$125'' and inserting
``$375''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``he'' and inserting
``the President''.
SEC. 12_5. HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION FOR PEACE CORPS
VOLUNTEERS.
Section 5(d) of the Peace Corps Act, as redesignated by
section 12_3(3), is amended to read as follows:
``(d)(1) Volunteers shall receive such health care during
their service as the Director considers necessary or
appropriate, including, if necessary, services described in
section 8B.
``(2) Applicants for enrollment shall receive such health
examinations preparatory to their service, and applicants for
enrollment who have accepted an invitation to begin a period
of training under section 8(a) shall receive, preparatory to
their service, such immunization, dental care, and
information regarding prescription options and potential
interactions, as may be necessary and appropriate and in
accordance with subsection (f).
``(3) Returned volunteers shall receive the health
examinations described in paragraph (2) during the 6-month
period immediately following the termination of their
service, including services provided in accordance with
section 8B (except that the 6-month limitation shall not
apply in the case of such services), as the Director
determines necessary or appropriate.
``(4) Subject to such conditions as the Director may
prescribe, the health care described in paragraphs (1)
through (3) for serving volunteers, applicants for
enrollment, or returned volunteers may be provided in any
facility of any agency of the United States Government, and
in such cases the amount expended for maintaining and
operating such facility shall be reimbursed from
appropriations available under this Act. Health care may not
be provided under this subsection in a manner that is
inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction
Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-12).
``(5) Not later than 30 days before the date on which the
period of service of a volunteer terminates, or 30 days after
such termination date if such termination is the result of an
emergency, the Director, in consultation with the Secretary
of Health and Human Services, shall provide detailed
information to such volunteer regarding options for health
care after termination other than health care provided by the
Peace Corps, including information regarding--
``(A) how to find additional, detailed information,
including information regarding--
``(i) the application process and eligibility requirements
for medical assistance through a State Medicaid plan under
title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et
seq.), or under a waiver of such plan; and
``(ii) health care option identification services available
through the public and private sectors;
``(B) where detailed information on health plans may be
obtained; and
``(C) if such volunteer is younger than 26 years of age,
the eligibility of such volunteer to enroll as a dependent
child in a group health plan or health insurance coverage in
which the parent of such volunteer is enrolled in such plan
or coverage offers such dependent coverage.
``(6) Paragraph (5) shall apply to volunteers whose periods
of service are subject to early termination.''.
SEC. 12_6. ACCESS TO ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS
FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
Section 5A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504a) is
amended--
(1) by striking subsections (c) and (e);
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Antimalarial Drugs.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall consult with experts
at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding
recommendations for prescribing malaria prophylaxis, in order
to provide the best standard of care within the context of
the Peace Corps environment.
``(2) Certain training.--The Director shall ensure that
each Peace Corps medical officer serving in a malaria-endemic
country receives training in the recognition of the side
effects of such medications.
``(3) Consultation.--The Director shall consult with the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs regarding
the policy of using mefloquine in the field as an
antimalarial prophylactic.
``(d) Access to Hygiene Products.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of the Peace Corps
Reauthorization Act of 2023, the Director shall establish a
comprehensive policy to ensure Peace Corps volunteers who
require hygiene products are able to access such products.''.
SEC. 12_7. CODIFICATION OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATING
TO EXISTING NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL
HIRING STATUS FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEERS AND
EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD OF SUCH STATUS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 5A the following:
``SEC. 5B. CODIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATING TO
NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING
STATUS FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEERS.
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), Executive
Order 11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; relating to Providing for
the Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the
Civilian Career Services), as amended by Executive Order
12107 (44 Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the Civil Service
Commission and Labor-Management in the Federal Service), as
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2023, shall remain in
effect and have the full force and effect of law.
``(b) Period of Eligibility.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Executive agency.--the term `Executive agency'--
``(i) has the meaning given such term in section 105 of
title 5, United States Code;
``(ii) includes the United States Postal Service and the
Postal Regulatory Commission; and
``(iii) does not include the Government Accountability
Office.
``(B) Hiring freeze.--The term `hiring freeze' means any
memorandum, Executive order, or other action by the President
that prohibits an Executive agency from filling vacant
Federal civilian employee positions or creating new such
positions.
``(2) In general.--The period of eligibility for
noncompetitive appointment to the civil service provided to
an individual under subsection (a), including any individual
who is so eligible on the date of the enactment of the Peace
Corps Reauthorization Act of 2023, shall be extended by the
total number of days, during such period, that--
``(A) a hiring freeze for civilian employees of the
executive branch is in effect by order of the President with
respect to any Executive agency at which the individual has
applied for employment;
``(B) there is a lapse in appropriations with respect to
any Executive agency at which the individual has applied for
employment; or
``(C) the individual is receiving disability compensation
under section 8142 of title 5, United States Code, based on
the individual's service as a Peace Corps volunteer,
retroactive to the date the individual applied for such
compensation.
``(3) Applicability.--The period of eligibility for
noncompetitive appointment status to the civil service under
subsection (a) shall apply to a Peace Corps volunteer--
``(A) whose service ended involuntarily as a result of a
suspension of volunteer operations by the Director, but may
not last longer than 1 year after the date on which such
service ended involuntarily; or
``(B) who re-enrolls as a volunteer in the Peace Corps
after completion of a term of service.''.
SEC. 12_8. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF EXISTING NONCOMPETITIVE
ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING STATUS FOR RETURNING
VOLUNTEERS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 5B, as added by section 12_7, the
following:
``SEC. 5C. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF EXISTING NONCOMPETITIVE
ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING STATUS FOR RETURNING
VOLUNTEERS.
``(a) In General.--Subject to section 5B, Executive Order
11103 (22 U.S.C. 2504 note; relating to Providing for the
Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian
Career Services), as amended by Executive Order 12107 (44
Fed. Reg. 1055; relating to the Civil Service Commission and
Labor-Management in the Federal Service), as in effect on the
day before the date of the enactment of the Peace Corps
Reauthorization
[[Page S2489]]
Act of 2023, shall remain in effect and have the full force
and effect of law.
``(b) Noncompetitive Eligibility Federal Hiring Status.--
Subject to subsection (d), any volunteer whose Peace Corps
service was terminated after April 1, 2020, and who has been
certified by the Director as having satisfactorily completed
a full term of service, may be appointed not later than 2
years after completion of qualifying service to a position in
any United States department, agency, or establishment in the
competitive service under title 5, United States Code,
without competitive examination, in accordance with such
regulations and conditions as may be prescribed by the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management.
``(c) Extension.--The appointing authority may extend the
noncompetitive appointment eligibility under subsection (b)
to not more than 3 years after a volunteer's separation from
the Peace Corps if the volunteer, following such service, was
engaged in--
``(1) military service;
``(2) the pursuit of studies at a recognized institution of
higher learning; or
``(3) other activities which, in the view of the appointing
authority, warrant an extension of such eligibility.
``(d) Exception.--The appointing authority may not extend
the noncompetitive appointment eligibility under subsection
(b) to any volunteer who chooses to be subject to early
termination.''.
SEC. 12_9. COMPREHENSIVE ILLEGAL DRUG USE POLICY WITH RESPECT
TO PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
(a) In General.--The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 8I (22 U.S.C.
2507i) the following:
``SEC. 8J. COMPREHENSIVE ILLEGAL DRUG USE POLICY WITH RESPECT
TO PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
``(a) In General.--The Director shall develop and implement
a comprehensive drug use policy with respect to Peace Corps
volunteers. The policy shall--
``(1) establish a zero tolerance policy regarding volunteer
or trainee involvement with illegal drugs; and
``(2) require that every case of volunteer or trainee
illegal drug involvement be brought immediately to the
attention of relevant Peace Corps leadership, including the
Director, and be reported expeditiously by the Peace Corps to
the Office of the Inspector General.
``(b) Consultation.--In developing the policy described in
subsection (a), the Director may consult with and
incorporate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of
experts in the field of substance abuse, and shall consult
with the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate.''.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a report to
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
describing the illegal drug use policy developed and
implemented under section 8J of the Peace Corps Act, as added
by subsection (a).
SEC. 12_0. PROTECTION OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS AGAINST
REPRISAL OR RETALIATION.
Section 8G of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507g) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Prohibition Against Reprisal or Retaliation.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Covered official or office.--The term `covered
official or office' means--
``(i) any Peace Corps employee, including an employee of
the Office of Inspector General;
``(ii) a Member of Congress or a designated representative
of a committee of Congress;
``(iii) an Inspector General (other than the Inspector
General for the Peace Corps);
``(iv) the Government Accountability Office;
``(v) any authorized official of the Department of Justice
or other Federal law enforcement agency; and
``(vi) a United States court, including any Federal grand
jury.
``(B) Relief.--The term `relief' includes all affirmative
relief necessary to make a volunteer whole, including
monetary compensation, equitable relief, compensatory
damages, and attorney fees and costs.
``(C) Reprisal or retaliation.--The term `reprisal or
retaliation' means taking, threatening to take, or initiating
adverse administrative action against a volunteer because the
volunteer made a report described in subsection (a) or
otherwise disclosed to a covered official or office any
information pertaining to waste, fraud, abuse of authority,
misconduct, mismanagement, violations of law, or a
significant threat to health and safety, if the activity or
occurrence complained of is based upon the reasonable belief
of the volunteer.
``(2) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall
take all reasonable measures, including through the
development and implementation of a comprehensive policy, to
prevent and address reprisal or retaliation against a
volunteer by any Peace Corps officer or employee, or any
other person with supervisory authority over the volunteer
during the volunteer's period of service.
``(3) Reporting and investigation; relief.--
``(A) In general.--A volunteer may report a complaint or
allegation of reprisal or retaliation--
``(i) directly to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps,
who may conduct such investigations and make such
recommendations with respect to the complaint or allegation
as the Inspector General considers appropriate; and
``(ii) through other channels provided by the Peace Corps,
including through the process for confidential reporting
implemented pursuant to subsection (a).
``(B) Relief.--The Director of the Peace Corps--
``(i) may order any relief for an affirmative finding of a
proposed or final resolution of a complaint or allegation of
reprisal or retaliation in accordance with policies, rules,
and procedures of the Peace Corps; and
``(ii) shall ensure that such relief is promptly provided
to the volunteer.
``(4) Appeal.--
``(A) In general.--A volunteer may submit an appeal to the
Director of the Peace Corps of any proposed or final
resolution of a complaint or allegation of reprisal or
retaliation.
``(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may
be construed to affect any other right of recourse a
volunteer may have under any other provision of law.
``(5) Notification of rights and remedies.--The Director of
the Peace Corps shall ensure that volunteers are informed in
writing of the rights and remedies provided under this
section.
``(6) Dispute mediation.--The Director of the Peace Corps
shall offer the opportunity for volunteers to resolve
disputes concerning a complaint or allegation of reprisal or
retaliation through mediation in accordance with procedures
developed by the Peace Corps.
``(7) Volunteer cooperation.--The Director of the Peace
Corps may take such disciplinary or other administrative
action, including termination of service, with respect to a
volunteer who unreasonably refuses to cooperate with an
investigation into a compliant or allegation of reprisal or
retaliation conducted by the Inspector General of the Peace
Corps.''.
SEC. 12_1. PEACE CORPS NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Section 12 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2511) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``(subject to subsection (d)(1)) conduct on-site inspections,
and make examinations, of the activities of the Peace Corps
in the United States and in other countries in order to'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (G);
and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) make recommendations for utilizing the expertise of
returned Peace Corps volunteers in fulfilling the goals of
the Peace Corps;
``(E) make recommendations on strengthening diversity,
equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles in the
workforce and daily work of the Peace Corps, including by--
``(i) increasing the recruitment of volunteers from diverse
backgrounds and better supporting such volunteers during
their training and enrollment in the Peace Corps;
``(ii) increasing and sustaining a diverse and inclusive
workforce through data collection, anti-harassment and anti-
discrimination measures, recruitment, retention, professional
development, and promotion and leadership initiatives that
also consider the work and roles of contractors;
``(iii) ensuring that advisory committees and boards
represent the diversity of the agency; and
``(iv) increasing opportunities in operations, programming,
and procurement through work with partners and communities
that are underrepresented or traditionally marginalized;
``(F) make recommendations to reduce any financial barriers
to application, training, or enrollment in the Peace Corps,
including medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs;
and'';
(2) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (2) to read as
follows:
``(2)(A) The Council shall be composed of 7 members who are
United States citizens and are not being paid as officers or
employees of the Peace Corps or of any other United States
Government entity.
``(B) Of the 7 members of the Council--
``(i) 1 member shall be appointed by the President;
``(ii) 3 members shall be appointed by the President pro
tempore of the Senate, of which--
``(I) 2 members shall be appointed upon the recommendation
of the leader in the Senate of the political party that is
not the political party of the President;
``(II) 1 member shall be appointed upon the recommendation
of the leader in the Senate of the political party of the
President; and
``(III) at least 2 members shall be former Peace Corps
volunteers; and
``(iii) 3 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, of which--
``(I) 2 members shall be appointed upon the recommendation
of the leader in the House of Representatives of the
political party that is not the political party of the
President;
``(II) 1 member shall be appointed upon the recommendation
of the leader in the House of Representatives of the
political party of the President; and
``(III) at least 2 members shall be former Peace Corps
volunteers.
[[Page S2490]]
``(C) Council members shall be appointed to 2-year terms.
No member of the Council may serve for more than 2
consecutive 2-year terms.
``(D) Not later than 30 days after any vacancy occurs on
the Council, the Director shall appoint an individual to fill
such vacancy. Any Council member appointed to fill a vacancy
occurring before the expiration of the term for which the
member's predecessor was appointed--
``(i) shall be appointed for the remainder of such term;
and
``(ii) may only serve on the Council for 1 additional 2-
year term.
``(E)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), Council members
shall not be subject to laws relating to Federal employment,
including laws relating to hours of work, rates of
compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and Federal
employee benefits.
``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), Council members shall be
deemed to be Federal employees for purposes of--
``(I) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code (relating
to compensation for work-related injuries);
``(II) chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code (relating
to conflicts of interest);
``(III) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code
(relating to tort claims); and
``(IV) section 3721 of title 31 (relating to claims for
damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to
service).
``(F) Council members shall serve at the pleasure of the
Director. The Council may remove a member from the Council by
a vote of 5 members if the Council determines that such
member--
``(i) committed malfeasance in office;
``(ii) persistently neglected, or was unable to
successfully discharge, his or her duties on the Council; or
``(iii) committed an offense involving moral turpitude.'';
(3) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``and at its first regular meeting in each
calendar year thereafter'' and inserting ``at its first
meeting each subsequent calendar year''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following: ``The Chair and
Vice Chair shall each serve in such capacity for a period not
to exceed 2 years. The Director may renew the term of members
appointed as Chair and Vice Chair under this subsection.'';
(4) in subsection (h), by amending paragraph (1) to read as
follows:
``(1) The Council shall hold 1 regular meeting per quarter
of each calendar year at a date and time to be determined by
the Chair of the Council or at the call of the Director.'';
and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Independence of Inspector General.--None of the
activities or functions of the Council authorized under
subsection (b)(2) may undermine the independence or supersede
the duties of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps.''.
SEC. 12_2. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC
SECURITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
(a) Quinquennial Review and Update.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and at
least once every 5 years thereafter, the Director of the
Peace Corps and the Assistant Secretary of State for
Diplomatic Security shall--
(1) review the Memorandum of Agreement between the Bureau
of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State and the
Peace Corps regarding security support and protection of
Peace Corps volunteers, and staff members abroad; and
(2) update such Memorandum of Agreement, as appropriate.
(b) Notification.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps and the
Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security shall
jointly submit any update to the Memorandum of Agreement
under subsection (a) to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Timing of notification.--Each written notification
submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted not
later than 30 days before the update referred to in such
paragraph takes effect.
SEC. 12_3. CLARIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBILITY OF UNITED
STATES NATIONALS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended by
this subtitle, is further amended--
(1) in section 7(a)(5) (22 U.S.C. 2506(a)(5)), by striking
``United States citizens'' each place such term appears and
inserting ``United States nationals of American Samoa and
citizens of the United States'';
(2) in section 8(b) (22 U.S.C. 2507(b)), by inserting
``United States nationals of American Samoa and'' after
``training for'';
(3) in section 10(b) (22 U.S.C. 2509(b)), striking ``any
person not a citizen or resident of the United States'' and
inserting ``any person who is not a United States national of
American Samoa nor a citizen or resident of the United
States''; and
(4) in section 12(g) (22 U.S.C. 2511(g), by inserting
``United States nationals of American Samoa or'' after ``who
are''.
SEC. 12_4. SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Report and Extension of the Sexual Assault Advisory
Council.--Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507d)
is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Reports.--On an annual basis through the date
specified in subsection (g), the Council shall submit a
report to the Director of the Peace Corps, the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate, the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives that describes
its findings based on the reviews conducted pursuant to
subsection (c) and includes relevant recommendations. Each
such report shall be made publicly available.''; and
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ``October 1, 2023'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2028''.
SEC. 12_5. SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY.
Section 7 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) is
amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Suspension Without Pay.--(1) The Peace Corps may
suspend (without pay) any employee appointed or assigned
under this section if the Director has determined that the
employee engaged in serious misconduct that could impact the
efficiency of the service and could lead to removal for
cause.
``(2) Any employee for whom a suspension without pay is
proposed under this subsection shall be entitled to--
``(A) written notice stating the specific reasons for such
proposed suspension;
``(B)(i) up to 15 days to respond orally or in writing to
such proposed suspension if the employee is assigned in the
United States; or
``(ii) up to 30 days to respond orally or in writing to
such proposed suspension if the employee is assigned outside
of the United States;
``(C) representation by an attorney or other
representative, at the employee's own expense;
``(D) a written decision, including the specific reasons
for such decision, as soon as practicable;
``(E) a process through which the employee may submit an
appeal to the Director of the Peace Corps not later than 10
business days after the issuance of a written decision; and
``(F) a final decision personally rendered by the Director
of the Peace Corps not later than 30 days after the receipt
of such appeal.
``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a final
decision under paragraph (2)(F) shall be final and not
subject to further review.
``(4) If the Director fails to establish misconduct by an
employee under paragraph (1) and no disciplinary action is
taken against such employee based upon the alleged grounds
for the suspension, the employee shall be entitled to
reinstatement, back pay, full benefits, and reimbursement of
attorney fees of up to $20,000.''.
SEC. 12_6. OCEANIA PEACE CORPS PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps
shall submit a report to Congress containing strategies for
reasonably and safely expanding the number of Peace Corps
volunteers in the Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania, with the
goals of--
(1) expanding the presence of the Peace Corps to all
currently feasible locations in the Indo-Pacific countries of
Oceania; and
(2) working with regional and international partners of the
United States to expand the presence of Peace Corps
volunteers in low-income communities in the Indo-Pacific
countries of Oceania in support of climate resilience
initiatives.
(b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall--
(1) assess the factors contributing to the current absence
of the Peace Corps and its volunteers in the Indo-Pacific
countries of Oceania;
(2) examine potential remedies that include working with
United States Government agencies and regional governments,
including governments of United States allies--
(A) to increase the health infrastructure and medical
evacuation capabilities of the Indo-Pacific countries of
Oceania to better support the safety of Peace Corps
volunteers while in those countries;
(B) to address physical safety concerns that have decreased
the ability of the Peace Corps to operate in the Indo-Pacific
countries of Oceania; and
(C) to increase transportation infrastructure in the Indo-
Pacific countries of Oceania to better support the travel of
Peace Corps volunteers and their access to necessary
facilities;
(3) evaluate the potential to expand the deployment of
Peace Corps Response volunteers to help the Indo-Pacific
countries of Oceania address social, economic, and
development needs of their communities that require specific
professional expertise; and
(4) explore potential new operational models to address
safety and security needs of Peace Corps volunteers in the
Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania, including--
(A) changes to volunteer deployment durations; and
(B) scheduled redeployment of volunteers to regional or
United States-based healthcare facilities for routine
physical and behavioral health evaluation.
(c) Volunteers in Low-income Oceania Communities.--
(1) In general.--In examining the potential to expand the
presence of Peace Corps volunteers in low-income communities
in the Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania under
[[Page S2491]]
subsection (a)(2), the Director of the Peace Corps shall
consider the development of initiatives described in
paragraph (2).
(2) Initiatives described.--Initiatives described in this
paragraph are volunteer initiatives that help the Indo-
Pacific countries of Oceania address social, economic, and
development needs of their communities, including by--
(A) addressing, through appropriate resilience-based
interventions, the vulnerability that communities in the
Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania face as result of extreme
weather, severe environmental change, and other climate
related trends; and
(B) improving, through smart infrastructure principles,
access to transportation and connectivity infrastructure that
will help address the economic and social challenges that
communities in the Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania confront
as a result of poor or nonexistent infrastructure.
(d) Indo-Pacific Countries of Oceania Defined.--In this
section, the term ``Indo-Pacific countries of Oceania'' means
Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia,
Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands,
Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
SEC. 12_7. REPORTS.
(a) Report on Mental Health Evaluation Standards.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps
shall submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives containing the guidelines and
standards used to evaluate the mental health of Peace Corps
applicants prior to their Peace Corps service.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) A detailed description of mental health screening
guidelines and evaluation standards used by the Peace Corps
to determine medical eligibility of applicants for service,
including a description of the most common mental health
conditions of applicants.
(B) Specific standards in the mental health screening
process that could lead to an applicant's disqualification
from service, and a description of how these determinations
are made.
(C) A description of any expedited mental health clearance
process for severe or recent symptom presentation.
(D) A description of periods of stability related to
certain mental health conditions and symptoms recommended
prior to an applicant's clearance to serve.
(E) An assessment of the impact of updated mental health
evaluation guidance, including a comparison of mental health
related volunteer medevacs in years before and after updated
guidelines were implemented.
(F) A review of these screening guidelines, conducted by a
panel of certified and qualified medical professionals in the
United States, that evaluates these standards based on
scientific evidence and mental health research and proposes
relevant updates or additions to current guidance.
(b) Report on Volunteer Medical Evacuations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than the first May 1 occurring
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter for 5 years, the Director of the Peace Corps shall
submit a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives regarding volunteer medical and mental health
evacuations.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include the following elements:
(A) The number of Peace Corps volunteer medical and mental
health evacuations during the previous year.
(B) A breakdown of these evacuations into medical and
mental health evacuation categories.
(C) The estimated cost of these evacuations for each year,
including a breakdown of costs between medical and mental
health evacuation categories.
SEC. 12_8. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended by
this subtitle, is further amended--
(1) by amending section 1 to read as follows:
``SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
``(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the `Peace
Corps Act'.
``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
Act is as follows:
``TITLE I--THE PEACE CORPS
``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
``Sec. 2. Declaration of purpose.
``Sec. 2A. Peace Corps as an independent agency.
``Sec. 3. Authorization.
``Sec. 4. Director of the Peace Corps and delegation of functions.
``Sec. 5. Peace Corps volunteers.
``Sec. 5A. Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts.
``Sec. 5B. Codification of Executive orders relating to noncompetitive
eligibility Federal hiring status for returning
volunteers.
``Sec. 5C. Extension of period of existing noncompetitive eligibility
Federal hiring status for returning volunteers.
``Sec. 6. Peace Corps volunteer leaders.
``Sec. 7. Peace Corps employees.
``Sec. 8. Volunteer training.
``Sec. 8A. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training.
``Sec. 8B. Sexual assault policy.
``Sec. 8C. Office of Victim Advocacy.
``Sec. 8D. Establishment of Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
``Sec. 8E. Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review.
``Sec. 8F. Establishment of a policy on stalking.
``Sec. 8G. Establishment of a confidentiality protection policy.
``Sec. 8H. Removal and assessment and evaluation.
``Sec. 8I. Reporting requirements.
``Sec. 8J. Comprehensive illegal drug use policy with respect to Peace
Corps volunteers.
``Sec. 9. Participation of foreign nationals.
``Sec. 10. General powers and authorities.
``Sec. 11. Reports.
``Sec. 12. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
``Sec. 13. Experts and consultants.
``Sec. 14. Detail of personnel to foreign governments and international
organizations.
``Sec. 15. Utilization of funds.
``Sec. 16. Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account.
``Sec. 17. Use of foreign currencies.
``Sec. 18. Activities promoting Americans' understanding of other
peoples.
``Sec. 19. Exclusive right to seal and name.
``Sec. 22. Security investigations.
``Sec. 23. Universal Military Training and Service Act.
``Sec. 24. Foreign language proficiency.
``Sec. 25. Nonpartisan appointments.
``Sec. 26. Definitions.
``Sec. 27. Construction.
``Sec. 28. Effective date.
``TITLE II--AMENDMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
``TITLE III--ENCOURAGEMENT OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAMS
``Sec. 301. '';
(2) in section 2(a) (22 U.S.C. 2501(a))--
(A) by striking ``help the peoples'' and inserting
``partner with the peoples''; and
(B) by striking ``manpower'' and inserting ``individuals'';
(3) in section 3 (22 U.S.C. 2502)--
(A) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (e); and
(B) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by striking
``disabled people'' each place such term appears and
inserting ``people with disabilities'';
(4) in section 4(b) (22 U.S.C. 2503(b))--
(A) by striking ``him'' and inserting ``the President'';
(B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the Director''; and
(C) by striking ``of his subordinates'' and all that
follows through ``functions.'' and inserting ``subordinate of
the Director the authority to perform any such function.'';
(5) in section 5 (22 U.S.C. 2504)--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ``: Provided, however,''
and all that follows through ``the amount'' and inserting ``.
Under such circumstances as the President may determine, the
accrued readjustment allowance, or any part thereof, may be
paid to the volunteer, members of the volunteer's family, or
others, during the period of the volunteer's service, or
prior to the volunteer's return to the United States. In the
event of the volunteer's death during the period of his
service, the amount'';
(B) in subsection (h), by striking ``he may determine'' and
inserting ``the President may determine''; and
(C) in subsection (o) by striking ``the date of his
departure'' and all that follows and inserting ``the date of
the volunteer's departure from the volunteer's place of
residence to enter training until not later than 3 months
after the termination of the volunteer's service.'';
(6) in section 6(3) (22 U.S.C. 2505(3)), by striking by
striking ``he may determine'' and inserting ``the President
may determine'';
(7) in section 7 (22 U.S.C. 2506)--
(A) in subsection (a), by moving paragraphs (7) and (8) 2
ems to the left; and
(B) in subsection (b), as redesignated, by striking ``in
his discretion'' and inserting ``in the President's
discretion'';
(8) in section 8A (22 U.S.C. 2507a)--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ``his or her'' and
inserting ``the volunteer's'';
(B) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``the'' before
``information''; and
(C) in subsection (f)--
(i) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``his or her'' each
place such phrase appears and inserting ``the volunteer's'';
and
(ii) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``his or her'' and
inserting ``the person's'';
(9) in section 8C(a) (22 U.S.C. 2507c(a)), in the
subsection heading, by striking ``Victims'' and inserting
``Victim'';
(10) in section 8E (22 U.S.C. 2507e)--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (c),,'' and
inserting ``subsection (c),''; and
(B) in subsection (e)(1)(F), by striking ``Peace Corp's
mission'' and inserting ``Peace Corps' mission'';
(11) in section 9 (22 U.S.C. 2508)--
(A) by striking ``under which he was admitted or who fails
to depart from the United States at the expiration of the
time for which he was admitted'' and inserting
[[Page S2492]]
``under which such person was admitted or who fails to depart
from the United States at the expiration of the period for
which such person was admitted''; and
(B) by striking ``Act proceedings'' and inserting ``Act.
Removal proceedings'';
(12) in section 10 (22 U.S.C. 2509)--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``he may prescribe'' and
inserting ``the President may prescribe'';
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 3709 of the
Revised Statutes of the United States, as amended, section
302 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act
of 1949''; and by inserting ``sections 3101(a), 3101(c),
3104, 3106, 3301(b)(2), and 6101 of title 41, United States
Code''; and
(C) in subsection (j), by striking ``of this section.'';
(13) in section 12(d)(1)(b) (22 U.S.C. 2511(d)(1)(b)), by
striking ``his or her'' and inserting ``the member's'';
(14) in section 14 (22 U.S.C. 2513)--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``his agency'' and
inserting ``such agency''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``his allowance'' and inserting ``the'';
and
(ii) by striking ``he'';
(15) in section 15 (22 U.S.C. 2514)--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ``that Act'' and
inserting ``that subchapter''; and
(B) in subsection (d)(7), by striking ``his designee'' and
inserting ``the Director's designee'';
(16) in section 19(a) (22 U.S.C. 2518(a)), by striking ``he
shall determine'' and inserting ``the President shall
determine'';
(17) in section 23 (22 U.S.C. 2520)--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``universal
military training and service'' and inserting ``military
selective service''; and
(B) by striking ``Universal Military Training and Service
Act'' and inserting ``Military Selective Service Act (50
U.S.C. 3801 et seq.)'';
(18) in section 24--
(A) by striking ``he'' each place such term appears and
inserting ``the volunteer''; and
(B) by striking ``his'' and inserting ``the volunteer's'';
(19) in section 26--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as
paragraphs (3) through (10), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) The term `Director' means the Director of the Peace
Corps.'';
(C) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by striking ``he or
she'' and inserting ``the medical officer'';
(D) in paragraph (7), as redesignated, by striking ``5(m)''
and inserting ``5(n)''; and
(E) in paragraph (10), as redesignated--
(i) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs
(A) and (B), respectively; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), as redesignated, by striking
``section 5(f)'' and inserting ``section 5(e)''; and
(20) in section 301(a), by striking ``manpower'' each place
such term appears and inserting ``individuals''.
______