I 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 2259 

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

and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 1, 2017 

Mr. POE of Texas (for himself and Mr. KENNEDY) introduced the following 

bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and 

Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined 

by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 

within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and 

benefits for volunteers, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sam Farr Peace Corps 

5 Enhancement Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. PROVISIONS FOR CURRENT AND FORMER VOLUN7 TEERS OF THE PEACE CORPS. 

8 (a) ENHANCED COMPENSATION BENEFITS.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—Section 8142 of title 5, 

2 United States Code, is amended— 

3 (A) in subsection (c)— 

4 (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘GS– 

5 7’’ and inserting ‘‘GS–11’’; and 

6 (ii) by striking paragraph (2) and re7 designating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 

8 paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and 

9 (B) by adding at the end the following new 

10 subsection: 

11 ‘‘(d)(1) The Director of the Peace Corps shall provide 

12 the initial furnishing of medical and other benefits under 

13 section 8103(b) of this title to any former volunteer for 

14 the 180-day period beginning on the date of termination 

15 of the service of such volunteer, to the extent that the Di16 rector determines that such benefits are given with respect 

17 to an injury that is probably compensable under this sec18 tion (as such term is defined for purposes of section 

19 8103(b)). The provision of such benefits may be author20 ized directly or by the certification of vouchers, in accord21 ance with section 8103(b). 

22 ‘‘(2) A volunteer may not be provided medical or 

23 other benefits pursuant to paragraph (1) unless the injury 

24 with respect to which such benefits would be provided was 


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1 proximately caused by the employment of such volunteer 

2 under subsection (c)(2). 

3 ‘‘(3) Notwithstanding the 180-day limitation period 

4 under paragraph (1), a volunteer may receive medical or 

5 other benefits provided pursuant to such paragraph with 

6 respect to an injury until the date on which the Secretary 

7 of Labor makes a final determination with respect to com8 pensation for such injury under this section, if the volun9 teer applied for such compensation before the last day of 

10 such limitation period. 

11 ‘‘(4) The Director shall consult with health experts 

12 outside the Peace Corps, including experts licensed in the 

13 field of mental health, in order to provide the best stand14 ard of care. 

15 ‘‘(5) The provisions of section 8116(c) of this title 

16 regarding liability shall apply with respect to benefits pro17 vided to a former volunteer under this section in the same 

18 manner and to the same extent as such provisions apply 

19 with respect to benefits provided to an employee of the 

20 United States.’’. 

21 (2) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made 

22 by paragraph (1)(A) shall apply with respect to any 

23 compensation paid pursuant to section 8142 of title 

24 5, United States Code, on or after the date of the 

25 enactment of this Act. 


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1 (b) HEALTH CARE FOR VOLUNTEERS; CRIMINAL LI2 ABILITY FOR ACTS AGAINST VOLUNTEERS.—Section 5 of 

3 the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504) is amended— 

4 (1) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘receive such 

5 immunization and dental care preparatory to their 

6 service’’ and inserting ‘‘receive, preparatory to their 

7 service, such immunization and dental care, and (in 

8 accordance with subsection (o)) such trial prescrip9 tions’’; 

10 (2) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘section, and’’ 

11 and inserting ‘‘section), and’’; and 

12 (3) by adding at the end the following new sub13 sections: 

14 ‘‘(o) The Director of the Peace Corps may only pre15 scribe mefloquine to a volunteer, including as a trial pre16 scription to a volunteer who chooses to use such medica17 tion before departing the United States to a post, on an 

18 individual basis and in accordance with relevant rec19 ommendations or guidelines issued by the Director of the 

20 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Com21 missioner of Food and Drugs, after counseling such volun22 teer about the benefits, risks, and side effects of each 

23 available medication for the prophylaxis of malaria. The 

24 Director shall monitor the volunteer during the course of 

25 such prescription for the development of any side effects 


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1 (or determine that the volunteer has been so monitored), 

2 evaluate the volunteer at the completion of such course 

3 for evidence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (or determine 

4 that the volunteer has been so evaluated), and report to 

5 the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Pre6 vention and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs any 

7 such side effects or symptoms. A volunteer may only 

8 switch to the use of mefloquine from another drug for the 

9 prophylaxis of malaria while serving at a post if another 

10 medication for the prophylaxis of malaria is simulta11 neously provided to such volunteer in a manner that en12 sures continuous protection against malaria. 

13 ‘‘(p) It is the policy of the United States to recognize 

14 the importance of Peace Corps volunteers and the core 

15 function that such volunteers play within the agency. The 

16 President should therefore prioritize the provision of 

17 health care services and necessary safety and security sup18 port for all volunteers. 

19 ‘‘(q)(1) Whoever engages in conduct outside the 

20 United States against a volunteer that would constitute 

21 an offense under any section listed in paragraph (2) if the 

22 conduct had been engaged in within the special maritime 

23 and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined 

24 in section 7 of title 18, United States Code) shall be pun25 ished as provided for that offense. 


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1 ‘‘(2) The sections listed in this paragraph are sections 

2 113, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1117 (to the extent that such sec3 tion applies to section 1111), 1201, 2241, 2242, 2244, 

4 and 2261A of title 18, United States Code. 

5 ‘‘(3) For purposes of this subsection, paragraph 

6 (9)(B) (regarding residences in foreign countries) of sec7 tion 7 of title 18, United States Code, shall include the 

8 residences used by volunteers in foreign countries and the 

9 land appurtenant or ancillary thereto, irrespective of own10 ership.’’. 

11 SEC. 3. PROVISIONS REGARDING EMPLOYEES OF THE 

12 PEACE CORPS. 

13 Section 7 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) 

14 is amended— 

15 (1) in subsection (a)— 

16 (A) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘or 

17 paragraph (8)’’ after ‘‘paragraph (6)’’; and 

18 (B) by adding at the end the following new 

19 paragraph: 

20 ‘‘(8)(A) The Director of the Peace Corps may des21 ignate a position as a ‘critical management position’ or 

22 a ‘critical management support position’ if the position re23 quires specialized technical or professional skills and 

24 knowledge of Peace Corps operations, such as positions 

25 that involve volunteer health services, financial manageVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 May 05, 2017 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2259.IH H2259

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1 ment, information technology, procurement, personnel, 

2 legal services, or safety or security. 

3 ‘‘(B) Notwithstanding any limitation set forth in 

4 paragraph (2) and subject to subparagraph (C), an ap5 pointment or assignment to a critical management posi6 tion or a critical management support position designated 

7 under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and any exten8 sion of such appointment or assignment shall be for a term 

9 of not more than five years. 

10 ‘‘(C) The Director shall ensure that any decision re11 garding an appointment, assignment, or extension of such 

12 appointment or assignment to a critical management posi13 tion or a critical management support position shall be 

14 consistent with Peace Corps policies and based on oper15 ational and programmatic factors.’’; and 

16 (2) by adding at the end the following new sub17 section: 

18 ‘‘(d)(1)(A) The President shall ensure that each over19 seas post has the services of a medical office that is con20 sistent in size and scope with the needs of the Peace Corps 

21 at such post, including, if necessary, by detailing to any 

22 such post the licensed medical staff of other United States 

23 departments, agencies, or establishments. 


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1 ‘‘(B) An individual may be hired as a Peace Corps 

2 Medical Officer after consideration of the following cri3 teria: 

4 ‘‘(i) Medical training, experience, accreditations, 

5 and other qualifications. 

6 ‘‘(ii) Administrative capabilities. 

7 ‘‘(iii) Understanding of the local language and 

8 culture. 

9 ‘‘(iv) Ability to work in the English language. 

10 ‘‘(v) Interpersonal skills. 

11 ‘‘(vi) Record of performance. 

12 ‘‘(vii) Any other factors the Director of the 

13 Peace Corps determines appropriate. 

14 ‘‘(2) The Director of the Peace Corps shall ensure 

15 that each Peace Corps Medical Officer serving in a ma16 laria-endemic country receives training in the recognition 

17 of the side effects caused by the use of mefloquine and 

18 the data supporting the patient information handouts re19 quired by the Food and Drug Administration regarding 

20 mefloquine, including the potential capacity of the drug 

21 to cause permanent neuropsychiatric effects.’’. 

22 SEC. 4. MONITORING TRAINING RECORDS. 

23 Section 8 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507) 

24 is amended— 


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1 (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 

2 following new sentences: ‘‘As a part of such training, 

3 the President, in coordination with the Inspector 

4 General of the Peace Corps, shall provide each vol5 unteer with information regarding the mandate of 

6 the Inspector General and the availability (including 

7 contact information) of the Inspector General as a 

8 resource for volunteers. The President shall provide 

9 such information at least once during training that 

10 occurs prior to enrollment and at least once during 

11 each significant instance of training after enroll12 ment.’’; and 

13 (2) by adding at the end the following new sub14 section: 

15 ‘‘(c) The President shall implement procedures to 

16 maintain a written record verifying the attendance of each 

17 individual completing training provided to meet each re18 quirement in this section and sections 8A, 8B, 8F, and 

19 8G(b).’’. 

20 SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES TO APPLICANTS FOR 

21 ENROLLMENT AS VOLUNTEERS. 

22 Section 8A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507a) 

23 is amended— 

24 (1) by amending subsection (d) to read as fol25 lows: 


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1 ‘‘(d) INFORMATION REGARDING CRIMES AND

2 RISKS.—Each applicant for enrollment as a volunteer 

3 shall be provided, with respect to the country in which the 

4 applicant has been invited to serve, with information re5 garding crimes against and risks to volunteers, including 

6 an overview of past crimes against volunteers in such 

7 country, the current early termination rate of volunteers 

8 serving in such country, any health risks prevalent in such 

9 country, and the level of satisfaction reported by volun10 teers serving in such country. Upon receiving such infor11 mation, the applicant shall have the option to timely de12 cline the invitation without retaliation and with priority 

13 to be invited to serve in a different country.’’; and 

14 (2) in subsection (f)(2)(B), in clause (iii), by 

15 striking ‘‘victim advocates’’ and inserting ‘‘Victim’s 

16 Advocates,’’. 

17 SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO 

18 VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. 

19 Paragraph (3) of section 8B(a) of the Peace Corps 

20 Act (22 U.S.C. 2507b(a)) is amended— 

21 (1) by striking ‘‘SARLs’’ and inserting ‘‘any 

22 employee of the Peace Corps’’; and 

23 (2) by striking ‘‘Victim Advocate’’ and inserting 

24 ‘‘Victim’s Advocate’’. 


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1 SEC. 7. OFFICE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY. 

2 Section 8C of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507c) 

3 is amended— 

4 (1) by striking ‘‘victim advocate’’ in each place 

5 it appears and inserting ‘‘Victim’s Advocate’’; 

6 (2) by striking ‘‘victim advocates’’ in each place 

7 it appears and inserting ‘‘Victim’s Advocates’’; and 

8 (3) by striking subsection (e). 

9 SEC. 8. REFORM AND EXTENSION OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT 

10 ADVISORY COUNCIL. 

11 Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 

12 2507d) is amended— 

13 (1) in subsection (b)— 

14 (A) by striking ‘‘not less than 8 individ15 uals’’ and inserting ‘‘not fewer than 8 and not 

16 more than 14 individuals’’; 

17 (B) by inserting after the first sentence 

18 the following new sentence: ‘‘At least one mem19 ber shall also be licensed in the field of mental 

20 health.’’; and 

21 (C) by adding at the end the following new 

22 sentence: ‘‘There shall be no limit to the num23 ber of terms an individual may serve as a mem24 ber of the Council.’’; 

25 (2) in subsection (c)— 


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1 (A) by inserting ‘‘and the implementation 

2 of such policy’’ after ‘‘section 8B’’; and 

3 (B) by adding at the end the following new 

4 sentence: ‘‘To carry out the functions in this 

5 subsection, the Council shall conduct case re6 views and shall have access, including through 

7 interviews or visits, to volunteers and staff in 

8 the field, to volunteer surveys under section 8E, 

9 to all data collected from restricted reporting, 

10 and to any other information necessary to con11 duct case reviews, except that the Council may 

12 not have access to any personally identifying in13 formation associated with such surveys or 

14 data.’’; and 

15 (3) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 

16 inserting ‘‘2023’’. 

17 SEC. 9. PUBLICATION REQUIREMENT FOR VOLUNTEER 

18 SURVEYS. 

19 Section 8E of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507e) 

20 is amended— 

21 (1) in subsection (c)— 

22 (A) in the first sentence, by striking 

23 ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 

24 (B) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘sub25 section (a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’; and 


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1 (C) by adding at the end the following new 

2 sentences: ‘‘The President shall publish on a 

3 publicly available website of the Peace Corps 

4 the results of each survey related to volunteer 

5 satisfaction in each country in which volunteers 

6 serve, and the early termination rate of volun7 teers serving in each such country. The infor8 mation published shall be posted in an easily 

9 accessible place near the description of the ap10 propriate country and shall be written in an 

11 easily understood manner.’’. 

12 SEC. 10. EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS FOR THE INSPECTOR 

13 GENERAL. 

14 Section 13 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2512) 

15 is amended— 

16 (1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Section’’ and 

17 inserting ‘‘section’’; and 

18 (2) by adding at the end the following new sub19 section: 

20 ‘‘(c) An expert, consultant, or organization thereof 

21 employed pursuant to subsection (a) by the Inspector Gen22 eral of the Peace Corps may be compensated without re23 gard to the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable 

24 under section 5332 of title 5, United States Code.’’. 


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1 SEC. 11. REPORT AND SURVEY ON VOLUNTEER ACCESS TO 

2 HEALTH CARE BENEFITS. 

3 (a) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 

4 of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 

5 four years, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit 

6 to the appropriate congressional committees a report in7 cluding each of the following: 

8 (1) The number of Peace Corps volunteers who 

9 returned to the United States in the prior year and 

10 whom the Director assisted in resolving difficulties 

11 in securing health care benefits through the Depart12 ment of Labor (including difficulties in receiving 

13 health care services or reimbursement for such serv14 ices). 

15 (2) The date on which the Director was con16 tacted by each such volunteer to request such assist17 ance. 

18 (3) If such difficulties were successfully resolved 

19 by the Director, the date of each such resolution. 

20 (4) The average period of time that such resolu21 tion was pending, with respect to requests for such 

22 assistance in the prior year. 

23 (5) The rate of satisfaction of such returned 

24 volunteers with the quality of such assistance. 

25 (b) SURVEY.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year 

2 after the date of the enactment of this Act and an3 nually thereafter, the Director shall submit to the 

4 appropriate congressional committees a report in5 cluding the results of the survey described in para6 graph (2). 

7 (2) SCOPE OF SURVEY.—The survey described 

8 in this paragraph is an annual survey, provided to 

9 each former Peace Corps volunteer who accessed 

10 post-service health care provided by the Peace 

11 Corps, that assesses, with respect to such volunteers, 

12 each of the following: 

13 (A) The level of awareness of the existence 

14 of the Federal Employees’ Compensation pro15 gram and knowledge of the specific health care 

16 benefits associated with Peace Corps service 

17 that are available under the program. 

18 (B) The level of awareness of the applica19 tion requirements of the program, including eli20 gibility requirements and the documentation 

21 that the Department of Labor requires before 

22 making a decision regarding benefits under the 

23 program. 

24 (C) The level of satisfaction with the pro25 gram, including the timeliness of processing apVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:39 May 05, 2017 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2259.IH H2259

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1 plications and providing reimbursement for 

2 health and other benefits. 

3 (D) The average time taken by the Sec4 retary of Labor— 

5 (i) to review and to approve or deny 

6 an application for benefits under the pro7 gram; and 

8 (ii) to provide a reimbursement for 

9 submitted medical claims. 

10 (E) The ability to access medical providers 

11 using the benefits provided by the program. 

12 (3) PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT EXEMP13 TION.—The collection of data for purposes of a re14 port submitted under paragraph (1) is not subject to 

15 the requirements of subchapter I of chapter 35 of 

16 title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to 

17 as the ‘‘Paperwork Reduction Act’’). 

18 (c) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.— 

19 In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congressional com20 mittees’’ means— 

21 (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 

22 Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep23 resentatives; and 


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1 (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 

2 Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the 

3 Senate. 

Æ 


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