,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cdcj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #aj1 #bjbj,mr4 ,menendez introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to promote diversity at the ,department of ,state1 to direct the ,secretary of ,state to review the termination characterization of former members of the ,department who were fired by reason of the sexual orientation of the official1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,department of ,state ,inclusivity ,act of #bjbj4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,,title ,i--,a diverse workforce3 recruitment1 retention1 and promotion,sec4 #aja4 ,definitions4,sec4 #ajb4 ,office of the ,chief ,diversity ,officer4,sec4 #ajc4 ,collection1 analysis1 and dissemination of workforce data4,sec4 #ajd4 ,exit interviews for workforce4,sec4 #aje4 ,recruitment and retention4,sec4 #ajf4 ,sense of ,congress on support for equal employment opportunity and merit principles criteria4,sec4 #ajg4 ,leadership engagement and accountability4,sec4 #ajh4 ,professional development opportunities and tools4,sec4 #aji4 ,examination and oral assessment for the ,foreign ,service4,sec4 #aaj4 ,sense of ,congress on veterans recruitment for the ,foreign ,service4,sec4 #aaa4 ,payne fellowship authorization4,sec4 #aab4 ,expansion of ,diplomats in ,residence ,program4,sec4 #aac4 ,use of gender neutral terms in employee evaluation forms4,sec4 #aad4 ,voluntary participation4,,title ,,ii--,love ,act of #bjbj,sec4 #bja4 ,short title4,sec4 #bjb4 ,findings4,sec4 #bjc4 ,director ,general review4,sec4 #bjd4 ,reports on reviews4,sec4 #bje4 ,establishment of ,reconciliation ,board4,sec4 #bjf4 ,issuance of apology4,sec4 #bjg4 ,establishment of permanent exhibit on the ,lavender ,scare4,sec4 #bjh4 ,guidance on issuing visas4,sec4 #bji4 ,establishment of ,advancement ,board4 ,i ,a diverse workforce3 recruitment1 retention1 and promotion #aja4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,applicant flow data ,the term applicant flow data means data that tracks the rate of applications for job positions among demographic categories4 7#b7 ,demographic data ,the term demographic data means facts or statistics relating to the demographic categories specified in the ,office of ,management and ,budget statistical policy directive entitled ,standards for ,maintaining1 ,collecting1 and ,presenting ,federal ,data on ,race and ,ethnicity 7#ha ,fed4 ,reg4 #fgcih74 7#c7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,state4 7#d7 ,diversity ,the term diversity means those classes of persons protected under the ,civil ,rights ,act of #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;a et seq47 and the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq474 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,state4 7#f7 ,workforce ,the term workforce means-- 7,a7 individuals serving in a position in the civil service 7as defined in section #baja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code72 7,b7 individuals who are members of the ,foreign ,service 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cijb772 7,c7 all individuals serving under a personal services agreement or personal services contract2 7,d7 all individuals serving under a ,foreign ,service ,limited appointment under section #cji of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cidi72 or 7,e7 individuals working in the ,department of ,state under any other authority4 #ajb4 ,office of the ,chief ,diversity ,officer ,section #a of the ,state ,department ,basic ,authorities ,act of #aief 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bfea;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7g7 as subsection 7h72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following new subsection3 7g7 ,chief ,diversity ,officer 7#a7 ,in general ,there shall be established within the ,department of ,state in the immediate office of the ,secretary of ,state an ,office of the ,chief ,diversity ,officer4 ,the head of the ,office of the ,chief ,diversity ,officer shall report directly to the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,office of the ,chief ,diversity ,officer shall-- 7,a7 lead the development and implementation of proactive diversity1 equity1 and inclusion initiatives in support of the ,department's strategic plan to create a culture for equity1 diversity1 and inclusion2 7,b7 collaborate with other ,department offices and bureaus to support them in assessing potential barriers and developing strategies to recruit and retain a diverse workforce2 7,c7 assess the ,department's need for1 and recommend training initiatives on1 cultural competency1 gender differences1 disability1 sexual harassment1 and other topics designed to increase awareness and support of equity and inclusion values2 and 7,d7 ensure the ,department maintains compliance with all relevant and applicable laws and regulations4 4 #ajc4 ,collection1 analysis1 and dissemination of workforce data 7a7 ,initial report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget1 submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report1 which shall also be posted on a publicly available website of the ,department in a searchable database format1 that includes disaggregated demographic data and other information regarding the diversity of the workforce of the ,department4 7b7 ,data ,the report under subsection 7a7 shall include the following data3 7#a7 ,demographic data on each element of the workforce of the ,department1 disaggregated by rank and grade or grade-equivalent1 with respect to the following groups3 7,a7 ,applicants for positions in the ,department4 7,b7 ,individuals hired to join the workforce4 7,c7 ,individuals promoted during the #b-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 including promotions to and within the ,senior ,executive ,service or the ,senior ,foreign ,service4 7,d7 ,individuals serving on applicable selection boards4 7,e7 ,members of any external advisory committee or board who are subject to appointment by individuals at senior positions in the ,department4 7,f7 ,individuals participating in professional development programs of the ,department1 and the extent to which such participants have been placed into senior positions within the ,department after such participation4 7,g7 ,individuals participating in mentorship or retention programs4 7,h7 ,individuals who separated from the agency during the #b-year period ending on the date of the enactment of this ,act1 including individuals in the ,senior ,executive ,service or the ,senior ,foreign ,service4 7#b7 ,an assessment of agency compliance with the essential elements identified in ,equal ,employment ,opportunity ,commission ,management ,directive #gae1 effective ,october #a1 #bjjc4 7#c7 ,data on the overall number of individuals who are part of the workforces of the ,department of ,state overall and within each bureau of the ,department1 the percentages of such workforce corresponding to each element listed in section #aja7f71 and the percentages corresponding to each rank1 grade1 or grade-equivalent4 7#d7 ,data on the promotion outcomes of women and racial or ethnic minorities in mid-career ranks of the workforce4 7#e7 ,demographic data1 disaggregated by rank and grade or grade-equivalent1 of contractors and subcontractors1 as well as the nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations that win bids or obtain contracts and grants and serve as subcontractors4 7c7 ,recommendation ,the ,secretary may include in the report under subsection 7a7 a recommendation to the ,director of ,office of ,management and ,budget and to the appropriate congressional committees regarding whether the ,department should collect more detailed data on demographic categories in addition to the race and ethnicity categories specified in the ,office of ,management and ,budget statistical policy directive entitled ,standards for ,maintaining1 ,collecting1 and ,presenting ,federal ,data on ,race and ,ethnicity 7#ha ,fed4 ,reg4 #fgcih74 7d7 ,other contents ,the report under subsection 7a7 shall also describe the efforts of the ,department-- 7#a7 to propagate fairness1 impartiality1 and inclusion in the work environment1 both domestically and abroad2 7#b7 to enforce anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies2 7#c7 to refrain from engaging in unlawful discrimination in any phase of the employment process1 including recruitment1 hiring1 evaluation1 assignments1 promotion1 retention1 and training2 7#d7 to prevent retaliation against employees for participating in a protected equal employment opportunity activity2 7#e7 to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified employees and applicants with disabilities2 and 7#f7 to recruit a representative workforce by-- 7,a7 recruiting women and minorities2 7,b7 recruiting at women's colleges1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 minority-serving institutions1 and other institutions serving a significant percentage of minority students2 7,c7 placing job advertisements in newspapers1 magazines1 and job sites oriented toward women and minorities2 7,d7 sponsoring and recruiting at job fairs in urban and rural communities and land-grant colleges or universities2 7,e7 providing opportunities through the ,foreign ,service ,internship ,program under chapter #ab of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #dada et seq47 and other hiring initiatives1 including a description of efforts to provide opportunities for paid internships2 7,f7 recruiting mid-level and senior-level professionals through programs designed to increase minority representation in international affairs2 7,g7 offering the ,foreign ,service written and oral assessment examinations in several locations throughout the ,united ,states to reduce the burden of applicants having to travel at their own expense to take either or both such examinations2 and 7,h7 supporting recruiting and hiring opportunities through-- 7i7 the ,charles ,b4 ,rangel ,international ,affairs ,fellowship ,program2 7ii7 the ,thomas ,r4 ,pickering ,foreign ,affairs ,fellowship ,program2 7iii7 the ,donald ,m4 ,payne ,international ,development ,fellowship ,program2 and 7iv7 other initiatives1 including agency-wide policy initiatives4 7e7 ,annual updates ,not later than one year after the publication of the report required under subsection 7a71 and annually thereafter for five years1 the ,secretary shall work with the ,director of the ,office of ,personnel ,management and the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget to provide a report to the appropriate congressional committees1 which shall be posted on the ,department's website1 which may be included in another annual report required under another provision of law1 that includes-- 7#a7 disaggregated demographic data relating to the workforce and information on the status of diversity and inclusion efforts of the ,department2 7#b7 an analysis of applicant flow data2 and 7#c7 disaggregated demographic data relating to participants in professional development programs of the ,department and the rate of placement into senior positions for participants in such programs4 #ajd4 ,exit interviews for workforce 7a7 ,retained members ,the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and the ,director of ,human ,resources of the ,department should conduct periodic interviews with a representative and diverse cross-section of the workforce of the ,department-- 7#a7 to understand the reasons of individuals in such workforce for remaining in a position in the ,department2 and 7#b7 to receive feedback on workplace policies1 professional development opportunities1 and other issues affecting the decision of individuals in the workforce to remain in the ,department4 7b7 ,departing members ,the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and the ,director of ,human ,resources shall provide an opportunity for an exit interview to each individual in the workforce of the ,department who separates from service with the ,department to better understand the reasons of such individual for leaving such service4 7c7 ,use of analysis from interviews ,the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and the ,director of ,human ,resources shall analyze demographic data and other information obtained through interviews under subsections 7a7 and 7b7 to determine-- 7#a7 to what extent1 if any1 the diversity of those participating in the interviews impacts the results2 and 7#b7 whether to implement any policy changes or include any recommendations in a report required under subsection 7a7 or 7e7 of section #ajb relating to the determination reached pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,tracking data ,the ,department shall-- 7#a7 track demographic data relating to participants in professional development programs and the rate of placement into senior positions for participants in such programs2 7#b7 annually evaluate such data-- 7,a7 to identify ways to improve outreach and recruitment for such programs1 consistent with merit system principles2 and 7,b7 to understand the extent to which participation in any professional development program offered or sponsored by the ,department differs among the demographic categories of the workforce2 and 7#c7 actively encourage participation from a range of demographic categories1 especially from categories with consistently low participation1 in such professional development programs4 #aje4 ,recruitment and retention 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary should-- 7#a7 continue to seek a diverse and talented pool of applicants2 and 7#b7 instruct the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and the ,director of the ,bureau of ,human ,resources of the ,department to have a recruitment plan of action for the recruitment of people belonging to traditionally under-represented groups1 which should include outreach at appropriate colleges1 universities1 affinity groups1 and professional associations4 7b7 ,scope ,the diversity recruitment initiatives described in subsection 7a7 should include-- 7#a7 recruiting at women's colleges1 historically ,black colleges and universities1 minority-serving institutions1 and other institutions serving a significant percentage of minority students2 7#b7 placing job advertisements in newspapers1 magazines1 and job sites oriented toward diverse groups2 7#c7 sponsoring and recruiting at job fairs in urban and rural communities and land-grant colleges or universities2 7#d7 providing opportunities through highly respected1 international leadership programs1 that focus on diversity recruitment and retention2 and 7#e7 cultivating partnerships with organizations dedicated to the advancement of the profession of international affairs and national security to advance shared diversity goals4 7c7 ,expand training on anti-,harassment and anti-,discrimination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall1 through the ,foreign ,service ,institute and other educational and training opportunities-- 7,a7 expand the provision of training on workplace rights and responsibilities to focus on anti-harassment and anti-discrimination information and policies2 7,b7 expand the provision of training on workplace rights and responsibilities to focus on implicit bias1 including training on the effects of implicit bias2 and 7,c7 make such expanded training mandatory for-- 7i7 individuals in senior and supervisory positions2 and 7ii7 individuals having responsibilities related to recruitment1 retention1 or promotion of employees4 7#b7 ,best practices ,each agency shall give special attention to ensuring the continuous incorporation of research-based best practices in training provided under this subsection4 #ajf4 ,sense of ,congress on support for equal employment opportunity and merit principles criteria ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 the support for equal employment opportunity and merit principles criteria for tenure and promotion in the ,foreign ,service is critical to promoting a more diverse ,foreign ,service2 and 7#b7 the ,department should-- 7,a7 develop mechanisms to ensure that the ,foreign ,service promotion list appropriately promotes a diverse workforce2 and 7,b7 establish criteria within the ,foreign ,service ,employee ,evaluation ,report that include evaluating the support of ,foreign ,service officers for equal employment opportunities4 #ajg4 ,leadership engagement and accountability 7a7 ,reward and recognize efforts ,to promote diversity and inclusion 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall implement performance and advancement requirements that reward and recognize the efforts of individuals in senior positions and supervisors in the ,department in fostering an inclusive environment and cultivating talent consistent with merit system principles1 such as through participation in mentoring programs or sponsorship initiatives1 recruitment events1 and other similar opportunities4 7#b7 ,outreach events ,the ,secretary shall create opportunities for individuals in senior positions and supervisors in the ,department to participate in outreach events and to discuss issues relating to diversity and inclusion with the workforce on a regular basis1 including with employee resource groups4 7b7 ,external advisory committees and boards ,for each external advisory committee or board to which individuals in senior positions in the ,department appoint members1 the ,secretary is strongly encouraged by ,congress to ensure such external advisory committee or board is developed1 reviewed1 and carried out by qualified teams that represent the diversity of the organization4 #ajh4 ,professional development opportunities and tools 7a7 ,expand provision of professional development and career advancement opportunities ,the ,secretary is authorized to expand professional development opportunities that support the mission needs of the ,department1 such as-- 7#a7 academic programs2 7#b7 private-public exchanges2 and 7#c7 detail assignments to relevant positions in-- 7,a7 private or international organizations2 7,b7 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments2 7,c7 other branches of the ,federal ,government2 or 7,d7 professional schools of international affairs4 7b7 ,training for senior positions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall offer1 or sponsor members of the workforce to participate in1 a ,senior ,executive ,service candidate development program or other program that trains members on the skills required for appointment to senior positions in the ,department4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in determining which members of the workforce are granted professional development or career advancement opportunities under subparagraph1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 ensure any program offered or sponsored by the ,department under such subparagraph comports with the requirements of subpart ,c of part #dab of title #e1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto1 including merit staffing and assessment requirements2 7,b7 consider the number of expected vacancies in senior positions as a factor in determining the number of candidates to select for such programs2 7,c7 understand how participation in any program offered or sponsored by the ,department under such subparagraph differs by gender1 race1 national origin1 disability status1 or other demographic categories2 and 7,d7 actively encourage participation from a range of demographic categories1 especially from categories with consistently low participation4 #aji4 ,examination and oral assessment for the ,foreign ,service 7a7 ,sense of congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,department should offer both the ,foreign ,service written examination and oral assessment in more locations throughout the ,united ,states4 ,doing so would ease the financial burden on potential candidates who do not currently reside in and must travel at their own expense to one of the few locations where these assessments are offered4 7b7 ,foreign service examinations ,section #cja7;b7 of the ,foreign ,service ,act of #aihj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #cida7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the ,secretary and inserting3 7#a7 ,the ,secretary2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#b7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,board of ,examiners for the ,foreign ,service annually offers the oral assessment examinations described in paragraph 7#a7 in cities1 chosen on a rotating basis1 located in at least three different time zones across the ,united ,states1 and that such examinations give sufficient weight to diversity4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall consider whether participants in ,department fellowship programs should be required to take oral examinations1 and whether there is any justification for requiring certain1 but not all1 fellowship participants to take such examinations4 4 #aaj4 ,sense of ,congress on veterans recruitment for the ,foreign ,service ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,foreign ,service exam should be offered in multiple diverse locations1 at least in three different time zones in a calendar year1 to encourage more accessibility to the test1 especially for veterans and members of the ,united ,states ,armed ,forces transitioning to civilian life4 #aaa4 ,payne fellowship authorization 7a7 ,in general ,undergraduate and graduate components of the ,donald ,m4 ,payne ,international ,development ,fellowship ,program may conduct outreach to attract outstanding students with an interest in pursuing a ,foreign ,service career who represent diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds4 7b7 ,review of past programs ,the ,secretary shall review past programs designed to increase minority representation in international affairs positions4 #aab4 ,expansion of ,diplomats in ,residence ,program ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall double the number of diplomats in the ,diplomats in ,residence ,program as of the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #aac4 ,use of gender neutral terms in employee evaluation forms ,the ,secretary shall develop a pilot program to use gender neutral terms in employee evaluation forms4 #aad4 ,voluntary participation 7a7 ,in general ,nothing in this title shall be construed so as to compel any employee to participate in the collection of the data or divulge any personal information4 ,department employees shall be informed that their participation in the data collection contemplated by this title is voluntary4 7b7 ,privacy protection ,any data collected under this title shall be subject to the relevant privacy protection statutes and regulations applicable to ,federal employees4 ,,ii ,love ,act of #bjbj #bja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,lavender ,offense ,victim ,exoneration ,act of #bjbj or the ,,love ,act of #bjbj4 #bjb4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,during the so-called ,lavender ,scare1 at least #a1jjj people were wrongfully dismissed from the ,department of ,state for alleged homosexuality during the #aiejs and well into the #aifjs4 7#b7 ,according to the ,department of ,state's ,bureau of ,diplomatic ,security1 ,department of ,state employees were forced out of the ,department on the grounds that their sexual orientation ostensibly rendered them vulnerable to blackmail and made them security risks4 7#c7 ,in addition to those wrongfully terminated1 many other patriotic ,americans were prevented from joining the ,department due to a screening process that was put in place to prevent the hiring of those who1 according to the findings of the ,bureau of ,diplomatic ,security1 8seemed like they might be gay or lesbian04 7#d7 ,congress bears a special measure of responsibility for these discriminatory actions as the ,department's actions were in part in response to congressional investigations into 8sex perversion of ,federal employees01 reports on the employment of moral perverts by ,government ,agencies1 hearings and pressure placed on the ,department through the appropriations process and congressional complaints that ,foggy ,bottom was 8rampant with homosexuals who were sympathetic to ,communism and vulnerable to blackmail4 7#e7 ,between #aiej and #aifi1 the ,department of ,state was required to report on the number of homosexuals fired each year as part of their annual appeals before ,committees on ,appropriations4 7#f7 ,although the worst effects of the ,lavender ,scare are behind us1 as recently as the early #aiijs1 the ,department of ,state's diplomatic security office was investigating ,state personnel thought to be gay and driving them out of government service as security risks4 7#g7 ,in #aiid1 ,secretary of ,state ,warren ,christopher issued a prohibition against discrimination in the ,department of ,state1 including that based on sexual orientation4 7#h7 ,in #aiih1 ,president ,william ,jefferson ,clinton signed ,executive ,order #acjhg barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation4 7#i7 ,on ,january #i1 #bjag1 ,secretary of ,state ,john ,kerry issued a statement regarding the ,lavender ,scare1 saying1 ,on behalf of the ,department1 ,i apologize to those who were impacted by the practices of the past and reaffirm the ,department's steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion for all our employees1 including members of the ,,lgbti community4 #bjc4 ,director ,general review 7a7 ,review ,the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and ,director of ,human ,resources of the ,department of ,state1 in consultation with the ,historian of the ,department of ,state1 shall review all employee terminations that occurred after ,january #a1 #aiej1 to determine who was wrongfully terminated owing to their sexual orientation1 whether real or perceived4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director ,general shall1 consistent with applicable privacy regulations1 compile the information compiled under subsection 7a7 in a publicly available report4 ,the report shall include historical statements made by officials of the ,department of ,state and ,congress encouraging and implementing policies and tactics that led to the termination of employees due to their sexual orientation4 #bjd4 ,reports on reviews 7a7 ,reviews ,the ,secretary of ,state shall conduct reviews of the consistency and uniformity of the reviews conducted by the ,director ,general under section #bjc4 7b7 ,reports ,not later than #bgj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for #b years1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the reviews conducted under section #bjc4 ,each report shall include any comments or recommendations for continued actions4 #bje4 ,establishment of ,reconciliation ,board 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,state shall establish1 within the ,office of ,civil ,rights of the ,department of ,state1 an independent ,reconciliation ,board to review the reports released by the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and ,director of ,human ,services under section #bjc7;b74 7b7 ,duties ,the ,reconciliation ,board shall-- 7#a7 consistent with applicable privacy regulations1 contact all employees found to be fired due to the ,lavender ,scare or1 in the case of deceased former employees1 the family members of the employees1 to inform them that their termination from the ,department of ,state has been deemed inappropriate and that1 if they wish1 their employment record can be changed to reflect these findings2 7#b7 designate a point of contact at a senior level position within the ,office of the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and ,director of ,human ,resources to receive oral testimony of any employees or family members of deceased employees mentioned in the report who personally experienced discrimination and termination because of the actual or perceived sexual orientation in order that such testimony may serve as an official record of these discriminatory policies and their impact on the lives of ,united ,states citizens serving their ,nation2 and 7#c7 provide an opportunity for any former employee not mentioned in the report to bring forth a grievance to the ,board if they believe they were terminated due to their sexual orientation4 7c7 ,review of claims 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,board shall review each claim described in subsection 7b7 within #aej days of receiving the claim4 ,lack of paperwork may not be used as a basis for dismissing any claims4 7#b7 ,cooperation ,the ,department of ,state shall be responsible for producing pertinent information regarding each claim to prove the employee was not wrongfully terminated4 7d7 ,termination ,the ,board shall terminate #e years after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 #bjf4 ,issuance of apology 7a7 ,finding ,secretary of ,state ,kerry delivered the following apology on ,january #i1 #bjag3 ,throughout my career1 including as ,secretary of ,state1 ,i have stood strongly in support of the ,,lgbti community1 recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals4 ,,lgbti employees serve as proud members of the ,state ,department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country4 ,for the last several years1 the ,department has pressed for the families of ,,lgbti officers to have the same protections overseas as families of other officers4 ,in #bjae1 to further promote ,,lgbti rights throughout the world1 ,i appointed the first ever ,special ,envoy for the ,human ,rights of ,,lgbti ,persons4 ,in the past--as far back as the #aidjs1 but continuing for decades--the ,department of ,state was among many public and private employers that discriminated against employees and job applicants on the basis of perceived sexual orientation1 forcing some employees to resign or refusing to hire certain applicants in the first place4 ,these actions were wrong then1 just as they would be wrong today4 ,on behalf of the ,department1 ,i apologize to those who were impacted by the practices of the past and reaffirm the ,department's steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion for all our employees1 including members of the ,,lgbti community44 7b7 ,congressional apology ,congress hereby offers a formal apology for its responsibility in encouraging the ,lavender ,scare and similar policies at the ,department of ,state1 as these policies were in part a response to congressional investigations into sex perversion of ,federal employees1 reports on the employment of moral perverts by ,government ,agencies1 and hearings or pressure otherwise placed on the ,department of ,state through the appropriations process4 #bjg4 ,establishment of permanent exhibit on the ,lavender ,scare 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 working with the current public-private partnership associated with the ,department of ,state's new ,united ,states ,diplomacy ,center1 shall establish a permanent exhibit on the ,lavender ,scare in the museum to assure that the history of this discriminatory episode is not brushed aside4 7b7 ,specifications ,the exhibit-- 7#a7 shall be installed at the museum not later than one year after the date of enactment of this ,act2 7#b7 should provide access to the reports compiled by the ,director ,general of the ,foreign ,service and ,director of ,human ,resources under section #bjc7;b72 and 7#c7 shall readily display material gathered from oral testimony received pursuant to section #bje7;b77#b7 from employees or family members of deceased employees who were subject to these discriminatory policies during the ,lavender ,scare4 #bjh4 ,guidance on issuing visas ,to demonstrate the ,department of ,state's commitment to ensuring fairness for current employees1 not later than #ajj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to ,congress a report on countries not issuing spousal visas to the spouses of all ,foreign ,service personnel posted overseas due to their sexual orientation4 ,this report shall include any comments or recommendations for actions1 including eliminating visa reciprocity with countries found to be instituting these practices against the spouses of ,foreign ,service personnel1 that will lead to ensuring that all spouses of ,foreign ,service personnel receive spousal visas for the country their spouse is assigned1 regardless of sexual orientation4 #bji4 ,establishment of ,advancement ,board 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,state shall establish1 within the ,office of the ,director ,general of the ,department of ,state1 a board comprised of senior-level officials to address the issues faced by ,,lgbtqi ,foreign ,service employees and their families4 7b7 ,hearing of testimony ,the ,advancement ,board shall hear testimony from any willing ,,lgbtqi ,foreign ,service employees and their families regarding any discrimination they have faced due to their sexual orientation4 7c7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ajj days after completing collection of testimony described under subsection 7b71 and annually thereafter for #e years1 the ,advancement ,board shall submit to ,congress a report based on the testimony4 7#b7 ,content ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include any comments or recommendations for continued actions to improve the ,department of ,state to ensure that no employee or their family members experience discrimination due to their sexual orientation4 7#c7 ,privacy ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall remain private and will only be accessible to ,members of ,congress1 their appropriate staff1 and members of the ,advancement ,board4