[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4466 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 459
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4466
To amend the Peace Corps Act by reauthorizing the Peace Corps,
providing better support for current, returning, and former volunteers,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 23, 2022
Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Young, Mrs.
Shaheen, Mr. Portman, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Cornyn) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations
July 21, 2022
Reported by Mr. Menendez, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Peace Corps Act by reauthorizing the Peace Corps,
providing better support for current, returning, and former volunteers,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Peace
Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>Sec. 2. Funding for the Peace Corps; Integration of
information age volunteer opportunities.
<DELETED>Sec. 3. Readjustment allowances for volunteers and volunteer
leaders.
<DELETED>Sec. 4. Restoration of volunteer opportunities for major
disruptions to volunteer service.
<DELETED>Sec. 5. Health care continuation for Peace Corps volunteers.
<DELETED>Sec. 6. Access to antimalarial drugs and hygiene products for
Peace Corps volunteers.
<DELETED>Sec. 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.
<DELETED>Sec. 8. Extension of period of existing noncompetitive
eligibility Federal hiring status for
returning volunteers.
<DELETED>Sec. 9. Protection of Peace Corps volunteers against reprisal
or retaliation.
<DELETED>Sec. 10. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
<DELETED>Sec. 11. Memorandum of Agreement with Bureau of Diplomatic
Security of the Department of State.
<DELETED>Sec. 12. Clarification regarding eligibility of United States
nationals.
<DELETED>Sec. 13. Workers compensation for Peace Corps volunteers.
<DELETED>Sec. 14. Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
<DELETED>Sec. 15. Suspension without pay.
<DELETED>Sec. 16. Technical and conforming amendments.
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FUNDING FOR THE PEACE CORPS; INTEGRATION OF
INFORMATION AGE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 3 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subparagraph (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) There is authorized to be appropriated $410,500,000
for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this
Act.''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(e).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES FOR VOLUNTEERS AND VOLUNTEER
LEADERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``insure their
health'' and inserting ``ensure their safety, their health,
and'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``$125'' and inserting
``$375'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``his'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``the volunteer's'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the
volunteer'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection
(d);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by inserting after subsection (d), as
redesignated, the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) The Director shall consult with heath 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.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in subsection (h), by striking ``he'' and
inserting ``the President'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in subsection (n)(2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``subsection (e)'' each
place such term appears and inserting ``subsection
(d)''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the
President''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) in subsection (o), by striking ``his'' each
place such term appears and inserting ``the
volunteer's''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. RESTORATION OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJOR
DISRUPTIONS TO VOLUNTEER SERVICE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22
U.S.C. 2504), as amended by section 3 of this Act, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(q) Disruption of Service Protocols.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 return volunteers whose service is
interrupted by a catastrophic event or global
emergency; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) streamlining, to the fullest extent
practicable, application requirements for the return to
service of such volunteers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to return to their previous country
of service, except for Peace Corps missions in China;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(r) Suspension of Payments and Accrual of Interest on
Federal Loans During Service.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--If a volunteer received a
Federal loan held by the Department of Education under part B
or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1071 et seq. and 1087a et seq.) before commencing service in
the Peace Corps--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) all payments due for such loans
shall be suspended; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) interest shall not accrue on such
loan for the duration of such service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Deferment or forbearance.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), the Secretary of Education shall deem
each month for which a loan payment was--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) suspended under this section;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) subject to a deferment or
forbearance under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
if the borrower of the loan had made a payment for the
purpose of any loan forgiveness program or loan
rehabilitation program authorized under part B or D of
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1071 et seq. and 1087a et seq.) for which the borrower
would have otherwise qualified.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Volunteer Leaders.--Section 6 of the Peace Corps Act
(22 U.S.C. 2505) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$125'' and
inserting ``$375''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``he'' and
inserting ``the President''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION FOR PEACE CORPS
VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 5(d) of the Peace Corps Act, as redesignated by
section 3(3) of this Act, is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d)(1) Volunteers shall receive such health care during
their service as the Director considers necessary or appropriate,
including, if necessary, services under section 8B.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Returned volunteers, including those whose period of
service is subject to early termination as the result of an emergency,
shall receive, upon termination of their service with the Peace Corps,
60 days of short term non-service-related health insurance for
transition and travel, during which they will be--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) given an opportunity to extend such
transitional health insurance for 1 additional month, at their
expense; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) advised to obtain health insurance coverage
through a qualified health plan (as defined in section 1301 of
the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C.
18021)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) 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--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) how to find additional, detailed
information, including information regarding--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) health care navigators or health
care option identification services available through
the public and private sectors;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the qualified health plans (as defined in
section 1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care
Act (42 U.S.C. 18021(a))) offered through an Exchange
established under title I of such Act, including the enrollment
periods for enrolling such plans; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) if such volunteer is 25 years of age or
younger, 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Paragraphs (5) and (6) shall apply to volunteers
whose periods of service are subject to early termination.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. ACCESS TO ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS FOR
PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 5A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504a) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsections (c) and (e);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection
(e);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Antimalarial Drugs.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Access to Hygiene Products.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
of 2022, the Director shall establish a comprehensive policy to ensure
Peace Corps volunteers who require hygiene products are able to access
such products.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 5A the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 5B. CODIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATING TO
NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING STATUS FOR
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 2022, shall remain
in effect and have the full force and effect of law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Period of Eligibility.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Executive agency.--the term
`Executive agency'--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) has the meaning given such
term in section 105 of title 5, United States
Code;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) includes the United States
Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory
Commission; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) does not include the
Government Accountability Office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 2022, shall be extended by the total
number of days, during such period, that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) there is a lapse in appropriations
with respect to any Executive agency at which the
individual has applied for employment; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 Corp volunteer, retroactive to the date the
individual applied for such compensation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Applicability.--The period of eligibility
for noncompetitive appointment status to the civil service
under subsection (a) shall apply to a Peace Corps volunteer--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) who re-enrolls as a volunteer in the
Peace Corps after completion of a term of
service.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF EXISTING NONCOMPETITIVE
ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING STATUS FOR RETURNING
VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 5B, as added by section 7 of this Act, the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 5C. EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF EXISTING NONCOMPETITIVE
ELIGIBILITY FEDERAL HIRING STATUS FOR RETURNING
VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 Act of 2022, shall remain in effect and have the
full force and effect of law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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 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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Extension.--The appointing authority may extend the
noncompetitive appointment eligibility under subsection (b) to not more
than 2 years after a volunteer's separation from the Peace Corps if the
volunteer, following such service, was engaged in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) military service;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the pursuit of studies at a recognized
institution of higher learning; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) other activities which, in the view of the
appointing authority, warrant an extension of such
eligibility.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 9. PROTECTION OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS AGAINST REPRISAL
OR RETALIATION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 8G of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507g) is
amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Prohibition Against Reprisal or Retaliation.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Covered official or office.--The
term `covered official or office' means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) any Peace Corps employee,
including an employee of the Office of
Inspector General;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) a Member of Congress or a
designated representative of a committee of
Congress;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) an Inspector General
(other than the Inspector General for the Peace
Corps);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) the Government
Accountability Office;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) any authorized official of
the Department of Justice or other Federal law
enforcement agency; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) a United States court,
including any Federal grand jury.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Reporting and investigation; relief.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--A volunteer may report
a complaint or allegation of reprisal or retaliation--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) through other channels
provided by the Peace Corps, including through
the process for confidential reporting
implemented pursuant to subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Relief.--The Director of the Peace
Corps--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) shall ensure that such
relief is promptly provided to the
volunteer.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Appeal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Volunteer cooperation.--The Director of the
Peace Corps may take such disciplinary or other administration
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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 10. PEACE CORPS NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 12 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2511) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection (b)(2)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``and'' at the end;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
subparagraph (G); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) by inserting after subparagraph (C)
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) make recommendations for utilizing
the expertise of returned Peace Corps volunteers in
fulfilling the goals of the Peace Corps;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) make recommendations on
strengthening diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility principles in the workforce and daily
work of the Peace Corps, including by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) increasing the recruitment
of volunteers from diverse backgrounds and
better supporting such volunteers during their
training and enrollment in the Peace
Corps;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) ensuring that advisory
committees and boards represent the diversity
of the agency; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) increasing opportunities in
operations, programming, and procurement
through work with partners and communities that
are underrepresented or traditionally
marginalized;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (c), by amending paragraph (2)
to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Of the 7 members of the Council--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) 1 member shall be appointed by the
President;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) 3 members shall be appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate, of which--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) 1 member shall be appointed upon
the recommendation of the leader in the Senate of the
political party of the President; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) at least 2 members shall be former
Peace Corps volunteers; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) 3 members shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, of which--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) at least 2 members shall be former
Peace Corps volunteers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) shall be appointed for the remainder of such
term; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) may only serve on the Council for 1
additional 2-year term.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), Council members shall
be deemed to be Federal employees for purposes of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code
(relating to compensation for work-related injuries);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code
(relating to conflicts of interest);</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) chapter 171 of title 28, United States
Code (relating to tort claims); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) section 3721 of title 31 (relating to
claims for damage to, or loss of, personal property incident to
service).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) committed malfeasance in office;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) persistently neglected, or was unable to
successfully discharge, his or her duties on the Council;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) committed an offense involving moral
turpitude.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subsection (g)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in subsection (h), by amending paragraph (1)
to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 11. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC
SECURITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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, the Director of the Peace Corps and the Assistant
Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) update such Memorandum of Agreement, as
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Notification.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of
the House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 12. CLARIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBILITY OF UNITED STATES
NATIONALS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended
by this Act, is further amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in section 8(b) (22 U.S.C. 2507(b)), by
inserting ``United States nationals of American Samoa and''
after ``training for'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in section 12(g) (22 U.S.C. 2511(g), by
inserting ``United States nationals of American Samoa or''
after ``who are''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 13. WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR PEACE CORPS
VOLUNTEERS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 8142(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) a volunteer injured on or after the date of
the enactment of the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 is
deemed to be receiving monthly pay at the rate for GS-7, step
5;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2)(A) a volunteer or former volunteer whose
injury occurred before the date of the enactment of the Peace
Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 shall have their disability
compensation prospectively adjusted so that they are deemed
receiving monthly pay at the rate for GS-7, step 5, unless such
adjustment would result in a reduction of compensation
payable;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) benefits paid under section 8133 due to a
death occurring before such date of enactment shall be
prospectively adjusted to reflect the volunteer's deemed
receiving monthly pay at the rate for GS-7, step 5;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) nothing in this subsection may be construed
to authorize the retroactive adjustment to the rate for GS-7,
step 5 for compensation payable for any period before such date
of enactment.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 14. SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY COUNCIL.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Report and Extension of the Sexual Assault Advisory
Council.--Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507d) is
amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by amending subsection (d) to read as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in subsection (g), by striking ``October 1,
2023'' and inserting ``October 1, 2027''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 15. SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 7 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) is
amended by inserting after subsection (a) the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Any employee for whom a suspension without pay is
proposed under this subsection shall be entitled to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) written notice stating the specific reasons
for such proposed suspension;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) representation by an attorney or other
representative, at the employee's own expense;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) a written decision, including the specific
reasons for such decision, as soon as practicable;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) a final decision personally rendered by the
Director of the Peace Corps not later than 30 days after the
receipt of such appeal.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a final
decision under paragraph (2)(F) shall be final and not subject to
further review.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 16. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended
by this Act, is further amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by amending section 1 to read as
follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the `Peace
Corps Act'.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
Act is as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``TITLE I--THE PEACE CORPS
<DELETED>``Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
<DELETED>``Sec. 2. Declaration of purpose.
<DELETED>``Sec. 2A. Peace Corps as an independent agency.
<DELETED>``Sec. 3. Authorization.
<DELETED>``Sec. 4. Director of the Peace Corps and delegation of
functions.
<DELETED>``Sec. 5. Peace Corps volunteers.
<DELETED>``Sec. 5A. Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts.
<DELETED>``Sec. 5B. Codification of Executive orders relating to
noncompetitive eligibility Federal hiring
status for returning volunteers.
<DELETED>``Sec. 5C. Extension of period of existing noncompetitive
eligibility Federal hiring status for
returning volunteers.
<DELETED>``Sec. 6. Peace Corps volunteer leaders.
<DELETED>``Sec. 7. Peace Corps employees.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8. Volunteer training.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8A. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response
training.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8B. Sexual assault policy.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8C. Office of Victim Advocacy.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8D. Establishment of Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8E. Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8F. Establishment of a policy on stalking.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8G. Establishment of a confidentiality protection
policy.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8H. Removal and assessment and evaluation.
<DELETED>``Sec. 8I. Reporting requirements.
<DELETED>``Sec. 9. Participation of foreign nationals.
<DELETED>``Sec. 10. General powers and authorities.
<DELETED>``Sec. 11. Reports.
<DELETED>``Sec. 12. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
<DELETED>``Sec. 13. Experts and consultants.
<DELETED>``Sec. 14. Detail of personnel to foreign governments and
international organizations.
<DELETED>``Sec. 15. Utilization of funds.
<DELETED>``Sec. 16. Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account.
<DELETED>``Sec. 17. Use of foreign currencies.
<DELETED>``Sec. 18. Activities promoting Americans' understanding of
other peoples.
<DELETED>``Sec. 19. Exclusive right to seal and name.
<DELETED>``Sec. 22. Security investigations.
<DELETED>``Sec. 23. Universal Military Training and Service Act.
<DELETED>``Sec. 24. Foreign language proficiency.
<DELETED>``Sec. 25. Nonpartisan appointments.
<DELETED>``Sec. 26. Definitions.
<DELETED>``Sec. 27. Construction.
<DELETED>``Sec. 28. Effective date.
<DELETED>``TITLE II--AMENDMENT OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND SOCIAL
SECURITY ACT
<DELETED>``TITLE III--ENCOURAGEMENT OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAMS
<DELETED>``Sec. 301. '';
<DELETED> (2) in section 2(a) (22 U.S.C. 2501(a))--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``help the peoples'' and
inserting ``partner with the peoples''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``manpower'' and inserting
``individuals'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in section 3 (22 U.S.C. 2502)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating subsection (h) as
subsection (e); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (e), as redesignated, by
striking ``disabled people'' each place such term
appears and inserting ``people with
disabilities'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) in section 4(b) (22 U.S.C. 2503(b))--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``him'' and inserting
``the President'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``he'' and inserting ``the
Director''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) in section 5 (22 U.S.C. 2504)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (h), by striking ``he
may determine'' and inserting ``the President may
determine''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) in section 6(3) (22 U.S.C. 2505(3)), by
striking by striking ``he may determine'' and inserting ``the
President may determine'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) in section 7 (22 U.S.C. 2506)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (a), by moving
paragraphs (7) and (8) 2 ems to the left; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (b), as redesignated, by
striking ``in his discretion'' and inserting ``in the
President's discretion'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) in section 8A (22 U.S.C. 2507a)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (c), by striking ``his
or her'' and inserting ``the volunteer's'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting
``the'' before ``information''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subsection (f)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in paragraph (2)(A), by
striking ``his or her'' each place such phrase
appears and inserting ``the volunteer's'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in paragraph (4)(A), by
striking ``his or her'' and inserting ``the
person's'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) in section 8C(a) (22 U.S.C. 2507c(a)), in the
subsection heading, by striking ``Victims'' and inserting
``Victim'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) in section 8E (22 U.S.C. 2507e)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (b), by striking
``subsection (c),,'' and inserting ``subsection (c),'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (e)(1)(F), by striking
``Peace Corp's mission'' and inserting ``Peace Corps'
mission'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) in section 9 (22 U.S.C. 2508)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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 ``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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``Act proceedings'' and
inserting ``Act. Removal proceedings'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) in section 10 (22 U.S.C. 2509)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``he
may prescribe'' and inserting ``the President may
prescribe'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in subsection (j), by striking ``of
this section.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (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'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (14) in section 14 (22 U.S.C. 2513)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``his
agency'' and inserting ``such agency''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (b)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by striking ``his allowance''
and inserting ``the''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) by striking ``he'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (15) in section 15 (22 U.S.C. 2514)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in subsection (c), by striking ``that
Act'' and inserting ``that subchapter''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in subsection (d)(7), by striking
``his designee'' and inserting ``the Director's
designee'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (16) in section 19(a) (22 U.S.C. 2518(a)), by
striking ``he shall determine'' and inserting ``the President
shall determine'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (17) in section 23 (22 U.S.C. 2520)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) in the section heading, by striking
``universal military training and service'' and
inserting ``military selective service''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``Universal Military
Training and Service Act'' and inserting ``Military
Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. 3801 et
seq.)'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (18) in section 24--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by striking ``he'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``the volunteer'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by striking ``his'' and inserting
``the volunteer's'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (19) in section 26--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2)
through (9) as paragraphs (3) through (10),
respectively;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) The term `Director' means the Director of
the Peace Corps.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by
striking ``he or she'' and inserting ``the medical
officer'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) in paragraph (7), as redesignated, by
striking ``5(m)'' and inserting ``5(n)''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) in paragraph (10), as redesignated--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) by redesignating clauses (i)
and (ii) as subparagraphs (A) and (B),
respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in subparagraph (A), as
redesignated, by striking ``section 5(f)'' and
inserting ``section 5(e)''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (20) in section 301(a), by striking ``manpower''
each place such term appears and inserting
``individuals''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Corps
Reauthorization Act of 2022''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Funding for the Peace Corps; Integration of information age
volunteer opportunities.
Sec. 3. Readjustment allowances for volunteers and volunteer leaders.
Sec. 4. Restoration of volunteer opportunities for major disruptions to
volunteer service.
Sec. 5. Health care continuation for Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 6. Access to antimalarial drugs and hygiene products for Peace
Corps volunteers.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 8. Extension of period of existing noncompetitive eligibility
Federal hiring status for returning
volunteers.
Sec. 9. Protection of Peace Corps volunteers against reprisal or
retaliation.
Sec. 10. Peace Corps National Advisory Council.
Sec. 11. Memorandum of Agreement with Bureau of Diplomatic Security of
the Department of State.
Sec. 12. Clarification regarding eligibility of United States
nationals.
Sec. 13. Workers compensation for Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 14. Sexual Assault Advisory Council.
Sec. 15. Suspension without pay.
Sec. 16. Oceania Peace Corps partnerships.
Sec. 17. Technical and conforming amendments.
SEC. 2. FUNDING FOR THE PEACE CORPS; INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AGE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
Section 3 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) There is authorized to be appropriated $410,500,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027 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. 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, and'';
(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''.
SEC. 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 3 of this Act, 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.
``(r) Suspension of Payments and Accrual of Interest on Federal
Loans During Service.--
``(1) In general.--If a volunteer received a Federal loan
held by the Department of Education under part B or D of title
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.
and 1087a et seq.) before commencing service in the Peace
Corps--
``(A) all payments due for such loans shall be
suspended; and
``(B) interest shall not accrue on such loan for
the duration of such service.
``(2) Deferment or forbearance.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001
et seq.), the Secretary of Education shall deem each month for
which a loan payment was--
``(A) suspended under this section; or
``(B) subject to a deferment or forbearance under
the Higher Education Act of 1965, as if the borrower of
the loan had made a payment for the purpose of any loan
forgiveness program or loan rehabilitation program
authorized under part B or D of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq. and 1087a
et seq.) for which the borrower would have otherwise
qualified.''.
(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. 5. HEALTH CARE CONTINUATION FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
Section 5(d) of the Peace Corps Act, as redesignated by section
3(3) of this Act, 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 under 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) Returned volunteers, including those whose period of service
is subject to early termination as the result of an emergency, shall
receive, upon termination of their service with the Peace Corps, 60
days of short term non-service-related health insurance for transition
and travel, during which they will be--
``(A) given an opportunity to extend such transitional
health insurance for 1 additional month, at their expense; and
``(B) advised to obtain health insurance coverage through a
qualified health plan (as defined in section 1301 of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18021)).
``(6) 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 navigators or health care option
identification services available through the public
and private sectors;
``(B) the qualified health plans (as defined in section
1301(a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42
U.S.C. 18021(a))) offered through an Exchange established under
title I of such Act, including the enrollment periods for
enrolling such plans; and
``(C) if such volunteer is 25 years of age or younger, 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.
``(7) Paragraphs (5) and (6) shall apply to volunteers whose
periods of service are subject to early termination.''.
SEC. 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
2022, the Director shall establish a comprehensive policy to ensure
Peace Corps volunteers who require hygiene products are able to access
such products.''.
SEC. 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 2022, 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 2022, 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. 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 7 of this Act, 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 Act of 2022, 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 within two years of 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. 9. 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. 10. 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.
``(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. 11. 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,
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. CLARIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBILITY OF UNITED STATES
NATIONALS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended by this
Act, 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. 13. WORKERS COMPENSATION FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
Section 8142(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
``(1) a volunteer injured on or after the date of the
enactment of the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 is
deemed to be receiving monthly pay at the rate for GS-7, step
5;
``(2)(A) a volunteer or former volunteer whose injury
occurred before the date of the enactment of the Peace Corps
Reauthorization Act of 2022 shall have their disability
compensation prospectively adjusted so that they are deemed
receiving monthly pay at the rate for GS-7, step 5, unless such
adjustment would result in a reduction of compensation payable;
``(B) benefits paid under section 8133 due to a death
occurring before such date of enactment shall be prospectively
adjusted to reflect the volunteer's deemed receiving monthly
pay at the rate for GS-7, step 5; and
``(C) nothing in this subsection may be construed to
authorize the retroactive adjustment to the rate for GS-7, step
5 for compensation payable for any period before such date of
enactment.''.
SEC. 14. 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 amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(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, 2027''.
SEC. 15. 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. 16. OCEANIA PEACE CORPS PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to
Congress a report on strategies to reasonably and safely expand 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 by 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 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.--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. 17. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
The Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.), as amended by this
Act, 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. 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 ``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''.
Calendar No. 459
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4466
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Peace Corps Act by reauthorizing the Peace Corps,
providing better support for current, returning, and former volunteers,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 21, 2022
Reported with an amendment