,,ii ,calendar ,no4 #ejh #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bbei ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #aa1 #bjah,received2 read twice and placed on the calendar ,,an ,,act ,to amend the ,peace ,corps ,act to expand services and benefits for volunteers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,sam ,farr and ,nick ,castle ,peace ,corps ,reform ,act of #bjah4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,title ,i--,peace ,corps ,volunteer ,support ,sec4 #aja4 ,peace ,corps volunteer medical care reform4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,post-service peace corps volunteer medical care reform4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,peace ,corps impact survey4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,extension of positions for ,peace ,corps employees4 ,title ,,ii--,peace ,corps ,oversight and ,accountability ,sec4 #bja4 ,peace ,corps volunteer access to ,inspector ,general4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,publication requirement for volunteer surveys4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,consultation with ,congress required before opening or closing overseas offices and country programs4 ,title ,,iii--,crime ,risk ,reduction ,enhancements ,sec4 #cja4 ,independent review of volunteer death4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,additional disclosures to applicants for enrollment as volunteers4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,additional protections against sexual misconduct4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,extension of the office of victim advocacy4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,reform and extension of the ,sexual ,assault ,advisory ,council4 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,definitions4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,peace ,corps4 7#c7 ,peace corps volunteer ,the term ,peace ,corps volunteer means an individual described in section #e7;a7 of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejd7;a774 ,i ,peace ,corps ,volunteer ,support #aja4 ,peace ,corps volunteer medical care reform 7a7 ,in general ,the ,peace ,corps ,act is amended-- 7#a7 in section #e 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejd7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7e71 in the first sentence1 by striking receive such immunization and dental care preparatory to their service and inserting receive1 preparatory to their service1 such immunization1 dental care1 and information on prescription options and potential interactions1 as necessary and appropriate and in accordance with subsection 7f72 7,b7 by re-designating subsections 7f71 7g71 7h71 7i71 7j71 7k71 7l71 7m71 and 7n7 as subsections 7g71 7h71 7i71 7j71 7k71 7l71 7m71 7n71 and 7o72 7,c7 by inserting after subsection 7e7 the following new subsection-- 7f7 ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall consult with health experts outside the ,peace ,corps1 including experts licensed in the field of mental health1 and follow guidance by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention regarding the prescription of medications to a volunteer4 2 and 7,d7 in subsection 7i71 as so redesignated1 by striking section1 and and inserting section71 and2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #e the following new section3 #e;,a4 ,health care for volunteers at ,peace ,corps posts 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president shall ensure that each overseas post has the services of a medical office that is consistent in size and scope with the needs of the ,peace ,corps at such post1 including1 if necessary1 by detailing to any such post the licensed medical staff of other ,united ,states departments1 agencies1 or establishments4 7b7 ,hiring criteria ,in selecting medical officers and support staff for overseas ,peace ,corps posts1 the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall hire well-qualified and capable personnel to support the effectiveness of health care for ,peace ,corps volunteers by evaluating each candidate's-- 7#a7 medical training1 experience1 and accreditations or other qualifications2 7#b7 record of performance2 7#c7 administrative capabilities2 7#d7 understanding of the local language and culture2 7#e7 ability to work in the ,english language2 7#f7 interpersonal skills2 and 7#g7 such other factors that the ,director determines appropriate4 7c7 ,certain training ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall ensure that each ,peace ,corps medical officer serving in a malaria-endemic country receives training in the recognition of the side effects of such medications4 7d7 ,review and evaluation 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps1 acting through the ,associate ,director of the ,office of ,health ,services and the country directors1 shall review and evaluate the performance and health care delivery of all ,peace ,corps medical staff1 including medical officers1 to-- 7,a7 ensure compliance with all relevant ,peace ,corps policies1 practices1 and guidelines2 and 7,b7 ensure that medical staff complete the necessary continuing medical education to maintain their skills and satisfy licensing and credentialing standards1 as designated by the ,director4 7#b7 ,report to ,congress ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall include1 in the annual ,peace ,corps congressional budget justification1 a confirmation that the review and evaluation of all ,peace ,corps medical staff required under paragraph 7#a7 has been completed4 7e7 ,antimalarial drugs ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall consult with experts at the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention regarding recommendations for prescribing malaria prophylaxis1 in order to provide the best standard of care within the context of the ,peace ,corps environment4 4 7b7 ,implementation of recommendations by the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps 7#a7 ,inspector general report ,as promptly as practicable1 the ,director shall implement the actions outlined in the agency response for all open recommendations of the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps set forth in the report entitled ,final ,program ,evaluation ,report3 ,,oig ,follow-up ,evaluation of ,issues ,identified in the #bjaj ,peace ,corps_/,morocco ,assessment of ,medical ,care 7,report ,no4 ,,ig-#af-ja-;,e74 7#b7 ,semiannual reports 7,a7 ,initial report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the ,director's strategy for implementing the recommendations referred to in paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,subsequent reports ,not later than #ahj days after the submission of the report required under subparagraph 7,a71 and semiannually thereafter1 the ,director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the progress in implementing the recommendations referred to in paragraph 7#a7 until all such recommendations have been implemented in accordance with the agency's response to the report referred to in such paragraph4 7#c7 ,notification ,after the submission of each report required under paragraph 7#b71 the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps may notify the appropriate congressional committees of any recommendations from the report referred to in paragraph 7#a7 that the ,inspector ,general determines remain unresolved4 #ajb4 ,post-service peace corps volunteer medical care reform ,section #hadb of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall authorize the ,director of the ,peace ,corps to furnish medical benefits to a volunteer1 who is injured during the volunteer's period of service1 for a period of #abj days following the termination of such service if the ,director certifies that the volunteer's injury probably meets the requirements under subsection 7c77#c74 ,the ,secretary may then certify vouchers for these expenses for such volunteer out of the ,employees' ,compensation ,fund4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall prescribe the form and content of the certification required under paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,a certification under paragraph 7#a7 will cease to be effective if the volunteer sustains compensable disability in connection with volunteer service4 7#d7 ,nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize the furnishing of any medical benefit that the ,secretary of ,labor is not otherwise authorized to reimburse for former ,peace ,corps volunteers who receive treatment for injury or disease proximately caused by their service in the ,peace ,corps in accordance with this chapter4 4 #ajc4 ,peace ,corps impact survey 7a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act and once every #b years thereafter for the following #f years1 the ,director shall conduct a survey of former ,peace ,corps volunteers4 7b7 ,scope of survey ,the survey required under subsection 7a7 shall assess1 with respect to each former ,peace ,corps volunteer completing the survey1 the impact of the ,peace ,corps on the former volunteer1 including the volunteer's-- 7#a7 well-being2 7#b7 career2 7#c7 civic engagement2 and 7#d7 commitment to public service4 7c7 ,report ,the ,director shall submit a report containing the results of the survey conducted under subsection 7a7 to-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 7#c7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7#d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 #ajd4 ,extension of positions for ,peace ,corps employees ,section #g7;a7 of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejf7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#h7 7,a7 ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps may designate ,peace ,corps positions as critical management or management support positions that require specialized technical or professional skills and knowledge of ,peace ,corps operations4 ,such positions may include positions in the following fields3 7i7 ,volunteer health services4 7ii7 ,financial management4 7iii7 ,information technology4 7iv7 ,procurement4 7v7 ,personnel4 7vi7 ,legal services4 7vii7 ,safety and security4 7,b7 ,subject to subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d71 with respect to positions designated pursuant to subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director may make or extend renewable appointments or assignments under paragraph 7#b7 notwithstanding limitations under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b7 and paragraph 7#e74 7,c7 ,in exercising authority under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,director shall ensure that all decisions regarding the appointment1 assignment1 or extension of employees to any position designated pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7-- 7i7 are consistent with ,federal law and ,peace ,corps policy2 and 7ii7 are based upon operational and programmatic factors4 7,d7 ,the term of any appointment or assignment to any position designated pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 may not exceed #e years4 4 ,,ii ,peace ,corps ,oversight and ,accountability #bja4 ,peace ,corps volunteer access to ,inspector ,general ,section #h of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking he and inserting the ,president2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new sentences3 ,as part of the training provided to all volunteers under subsection 7a71 and in coordination with the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps1 the ,president shall provide all volunteers with information regarding the mandate of the ,inspector ,general and the availability 7including contact information7 of the ,inspector ,general and the ,office of ,victim ,advocacy as a resource for volunteers4 ,the ,president shall ensure that volunteers receive such information at least once during training that occurs prior to enrollment and at least once during each significant instance of training after enrollment42 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,the ,president shall implement procedures to maintain a record verifying each individual completing training provided to meet each requirement in this section and sections #h;,a1 #h;,b1 #h;,f1 and #h;,g7b74 4 #bjb4 ,publication requirement for volunteer surveys ,section #h;,e of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg;e7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 in the first sentence-- 7,a7 by inserting 1 ensure that each such plan includes a consideration of the results1 with respect to each such representative and the country of service of each such representative1 of each survey conducted under subsection 7c71 after standards for ,peace ,corps representatives2 and 7,b7 by striking and shall review and inserting 1 and review2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in the first sentence1 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 and 7,b7 in the third sentence1 by striking subsection 7a7 and inserting subsection 7b72 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new sentences3 ,the ,president shall publish1 on a publicly available website of the ,peace ,corps1 a report summarizing the results of each survey related to volunteer satisfaction in each country in which volunteers serve1 and the early termination rate of volunteers serving in each such country4 ,the information published shall be posted in an easily accessible place near the description of the appropriate country and shall be written in an easily understood manner44 #bjc4 ,consultation with ,congress required before opening or closing overseas offices and country programs ,section #aj of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #beji7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7k7 7#a7 ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,director of the ,peace ,corps may not open1 close1 significantly reduce1 or suspend a domestic or overseas office or country program unless the ,director has notified and consulted with the appropriate congressional committees at least #ae days in advance4 7#b7 ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps may waive the application of paragraph 7#a7 for a period of not more than #e days after an action described in such paragraph if the ,director determines such action is necessary to ameliorate a substantial security risk to ,peace ,corps volunteers or other ,peace ,corps personnel4 7#c7 ,for the purposes of this subsection1 the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate4 4 ,,iii ,crime ,risk ,reduction ,enhancements #cja4 ,independent review of volunteer death ,section #e of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejd71 as amended by section #aja of this ,act1 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7p7 7#a7 ,not later than #aj days after receiving notification of the death of a volunteer1 the ,president shall provide a briefing to the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps that includes-- 7,a7 7i7 the available facts and circumstances surrounding the death of the volunteer1 including a preliminary timeline of the events immediately preceding the death of the volunteer1 subsequent actions taken by the ,peace ,corps1 and any information available to the ,peace ,corps reflecting on the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer2 and 7ii7 a description of any steps the ,peace ,corps plans to take to inquire further into the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer1 including the anticipated date of the completion of such inquiry2 or 7,b7 an explanation of why the ,peace ,corps has determined that no further inquiry into the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer is necessary1 including-- 7i7 a description of the steps the ,peace ,corps took to determine further inquiry was not necessary2 and 7ii7 the basis for such determination4 7#b7 ,if the ,peace ,corps has performed or engaged another entity to perform a root cause analysis or similar report that describes the cause or root cause of a volunteer death1 the ,president shall provide the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps with-- 7,a7 a copy of all information provided to such entity at the time such information is provided to such entity or used by the ,peace ,corps to perform the analysis2 7,b7 a copy of any report or study received from the entity or used by the ,peace ,corps to perform the analysis2 and 7,c7 any supporting documentation upon which the ,peace ,corps or such entity relied to make its determination1 including the volunteer's complete medical record1 as soon as such information is available to the ,peace ,corps4 7#c7 ,if a volunteer dies1 the ,peace ,corps shall take reasonable measures1 in accordance with local laws1 to preserve any information or material1 in any medium or format1 that may be relevant to determining the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer1 including personal effects1 medication1 and other tangible items belonging to the volunteer1 as long as such measures do not interfere with the legal procedures of the host country if the government of the host country is exercising jurisdiction over the investigation of such death4 ,the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps shall be provided an opportunity to inspect such items before their final disposition4 7#d7 ,consistent with the ,inspector ,general ,act of #aigh 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps may independently review the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of a volunteer and the actions taken by the ,peace ,corps in responding to such incident4 7#e7 ,for the purposes of undertaking a review under this section1 an officer or employee of the ,united ,states or a member of the ,armed ,forces may be detailed to the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps from another department of the ,united ,states ,government on a nonreimbursable basis1 as jointly agreed to by the ,inspector ,general and the detailing department1 for a period not to exceed #a year4 ,this paragraph may not be construed to limit or modify any other source of authority for reimbursable or nonreimbursable details4 ,a nonreimbursable detail made under this section may not be considered an augmentation of the appropriations of the ,peace ,corps4 7#f7 ,upon request1 the ,peace ,corps may make available necessary funds to the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps for reviews conducted by the ,inspector ,general under this section4 ,the request shall be limited to costs relating to hiring1 procuring1 or otherwise obtaining medical-related experts or expert services1 and associated travel4 7#g7 ,the undertaking of a review under this section may not be considered a transfer of program operating responsibilities to the ,inspector ,general of the ,peace ,corps4 4 #cjb4 ,additional disclosures to applicants for enrollment as volunteers ,section #h;,a of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg;a7d77 is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7d7 to read as follows3 7d7 ,information regarding crimes and risks 7#a7 ,in general ,each applicant for enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided1 with respect to each country in which the applicant may be invited to serve1 with specific1 aggregated1 and easily accessible information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers1 including-- 7,a7 an overview of past crimes against volunteers in such country1 including statistics regarding unreported crime collected through anonymous surveys2 7,b7 the current early termination rate of volunteers serving in such country2 7,c7 health risks prevalent in such country2 7,d7 the nature and frequency of sexual harassment reported by volunteers serving in such country2 7,e7 the extent and types of services provided by the ,peace ,corps to volunteers serving in such country1 including access to medical care1 counseling services1 and assistance from the ,office of ,victim ,advocacy2 and 7,f7 the level of satisfaction reported by volunteers serving in such country4 7#b7 ,option to timely decline ,upon receiving information described in paragraph 7#a71 the applicant shall have the option to change the country of consideration and identify a substitute country4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7f77#b77;,b77iii71 by striking victim advocates and inserting ,victim's ,advocates14 #cjc4 ,additional protections against sexual misconduct ,section #h;,b7a7 of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg;b7a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,s,a,r,ls and inserting any employee of the ,peace ,corps2 7,b7 by striking ,victim ,advocate and inserting ,victim's ,advocate2 and 7,c7 by inserting and require the ,peace ,corps to designate the staff at each post who shall be responsible for providing the services described in subsection 7c7 before the semicolon at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and at the end2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#g7 maintains a record documenting the resignation of any employee or volunteer of the ,peace ,corps who resigns before a determination has been made regarding an alleged violation of the sexual misconduct policy or other serious policy violations2 7#h7 takes into account the record maintained under paragraph 7#g7 before such employee or volunteer is hired1 enrolled1 or otherwise invited to work with the ,peace ,corps2 7#i7 provides orientation or information regarding the awareness and prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment to-- 7,a7 ,peace ,corps-selected host families2 and 7,b7 a designated person of authority at the volunteer's initial workplace2 and 7#aj7 ensures1 to the extent practicable and appropriate1 that any assault on1 or any harm or injury to1 a volunteer that is committed by any member of a host family or any national of a host country that was assigned by the ,peace ,corps to facilitate volunteer work is-- 7,a7 documented in an appropriate site history file and in the global tracking and recording system established pursuant to section #h;,h7c72 and 7,b7 taken into account with respect to determinations regarding placements of future volunteers at such post and the provision of any funds or other benefit by the ,peace ,corps4 4 #cjd4 ,extension of the office of victim advocacy ,section #h;,c of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg;c7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking victim advocate each place it appears and inserting ,victim's ,advocate2 7#b7 by striking victim advocates each place it occurs and inserting ,victim's ,advocates2 and 7#c7 by amending subsection 7e7 to read as follows3 7e7 ,the ,director of the ,peace ,corps shall include the head of the ,office of ,victim ,advocacy in agency-wide policymaking processes in the same manner and to the same extent as the directors or associate directors of other offices within the ,peace ,corps4 4 #cje4 ,reform and extension of the ,sexual ,assault ,advisory ,council ,section #h;,d of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bejg;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by striking not less than #h individuals selected by the ,president1 not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this section1 and inserting not fewer than #h and not more than #ad individuals selected by the ,president2 and 7,b7 by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence3 ,at least one member should be licensed in the field of mental health and have prior experience working as a counselor or therapist providing mental health care to survivors of sexual assault in a victim services agency or organization42 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by inserting and implemented after sexual assault policy developed2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,to carry out this subsection1 the ,council may conduct case reviews and is authorized to have access1 including through interviews1 to current and former volunteers 7to the extent that such volunteers provide the ,peace ,corps express consent to be interviewed by the ,council71 to volunteer surveys under section #h;,e1 to all data collected from restricted reporting1 and to any other information necessary to conduct case reviews1 except that the ,council may not have access to any personally identifying information associated with such surveys1 data1 or information42 and 7#c7 in subsection 7g71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 #cjf4 ,definitions ,section #bf of the ,peace ,corps ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bebb7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7a71 7b71 7c71 7d71 7e71 7f71 and 7g7 as paragraphs 7#a71 7#f71 7#b71 7#c71 7#h71 7#g71 and 7#e71 respectively1 by arranging such redesignated paragraphs in numerical order1 and by moving such paragraphs #b ems to the right2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71 as redesignated1 by striking 7#a7 and inserting the following3 ,in this ,act3 7#a7 2 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#c71 as redesignated1 the following3 7#d7 ,the term medical officer means a physician1 nurse practitioner1 physician's assistant1 or registered nurse with the professional qualifications1 expertise1 and abilities consistent with the needs of the ,peace ,corps and the post to which he or she is assigned1 as determined by the ,director of the ,peace ,corps4 4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,july #aj1 #bjah4,karen ,l4 ,haas1,clerk4 ,july #aa1 #bjah,received2 read twice and placed on the calendar