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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 732 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 732

       To empower Peace Corps volunteers, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 1, 2007

 Mr. Dodd (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
       To empower Peace Corps volunteers, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment 
Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
          TITLE I--PROMOTION OF PEACE CORPS PROJECTS AND GOALS

Sec. 101. Seed funding for volunteer projects.
Sec. 102. Charitable fundraising by Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 103. Programs and projects of returned Peace Corps volunteers to 
                            promote the goals of the Peace Corps.
Sec. 104. Recruitment of experienced volunteers.
Sec. 105. Digital Peace Corps.
            TITLE II--EMPOWERMENT OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

Sec. 201. Participation of Peace Corps volunteers in reviews of senior 
                            staff and programs.
Sec. 202. Volunteer Advisory Committees.
Sec. 203. Input of volunteers regarding site selection and training 
                            curriculum.
                TITLE III--PERSONNEL ISSUES AND BENEFITS

Sec. 301. Reforms to medical screening process.
Sec. 302. Health insurance coverage for retirees who serve as Peace 
                            Corps volunteers.
Sec. 303. Report on costs associated with extending post-service health 
                            coverage.
Sec. 304. Sense of Congress on need for special rule for Peace Corps 
                            volunteers and employees in determining 
                            exclusion of gain from sale of principal 
                            residence.
Sec. 305. Treasury guidance regarding tax deductions.
Sec. 306. Protecting rights of Peace Corps volunteers.
Sec. 307. Financial guide for Peace Corps volunteers and applicants.
               TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.

          TITLE I--PROMOTION OF PEACE CORPS PROJECTS AND GOALS

SEC. 101. SEED FUNDING FOR VOLUNTEER PROJECTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Peace Corps is an agency focused on grassroots, 
        bottom-up development.
            (2) Seed funding for local demonstration projects is 
        crucial to the success of Peace Corps volunteers.
            (3) Demonstration projects are a very effective method for 
        Peace Corps volunteers to educate people in host countries.
    (b) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated up to 1 
percent of the total amount appropriated for the Peace Corps for fiscal 
year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter for seed funding for Peace 
Corps volunteers to carry out demonstration projects that have been 
approved in advance by the Peace Corps Country Director in the country 
where the volunteer is serving.
    (c) Seed Fund Awards.--
            (1) Availability of funds.--The Director of the Peace Corps 
        shall determine at the beginning of each fiscal year the amount 
        of funding that will be available as seed money for 
        demonstration projects for that fiscal year and inform each 
        Country Director of the portion of that amount that will be 
        available to distribute to volunteers under the supervision of 
        such Country Director.
            (2) Awarding of funds.--The Director of the Peace Corps 
        shall promulgate rules pursuant to which each Country Director 
        may award seed funds made available under this section to 
        eligible Peace Corp volunteers.
            (3) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a seed fund award 
        under this subsection, a Peace Corps volunteer shall--
                    (A) submit to the Country Director of the country 
                where the volunteer is serving a plan for a 
                demonstration project, including an explanation of how 
                the demonstration project will lead to sustainable 
                development; and
                    (B) make a written attestation that funds awarded 
                under this subsection are utilized for the purposes 
                specified in the plan.
            (4) Amount of awards.--A seed fund award provided to a 
        volunteer under this subsection may not exceed $1,000.
            (5) Report.--Each Peace Corps volunteer who receives a seed 
        fund award under this subsection shall submit to the Country 
        Director of the country where the volunteer is serving before 
        the close of such volunteer's service a report on the 
        demonstration project funded by the award.

SEC. 102. CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING BY PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) Sense of Congress on Assistance in Fundraising.--It is the 
sense of Congress that Peace Corps volunteers should apply for grants 
and loans from nongovernmental organizations to carry out demonstration 
projects, including by partnering with governmental and nongovernmental 
agencies and working with host country nationals.
    (b) Fundraising by Volunteers.--
            (1) Authority.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), Peace 
                Corps volunteers are authorized to solicit 
                contributions for demonstration projects from persons 
                personally known to them, including family members, 
                friends, and members of their home community in the 
                United States, and from government and nongovernmental 
                agencies, including by working through the Peace Corps 
                Partnership Program. Any such solicitation shall state 
                the demonstration project or projects to which 
                contributed funds will be applied.
                    (B) Required approval.--A Peace Corps volunteer 
                shall seek and receive advance approval from the 
                Country Director of the country where the volunteer is 
                serving before exercising the authority under 
                subparagraph (A).
            (2) Accountability.--Peace Corps volunteers receiving 
        contributions pursuant to the authority under paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                    (A) maintain records and receipts to confirm the 
                proper application of contributed funds; and
                    (B) ensure that such funds are expended solely for 
                the demonstration project or projects for which they 
                were intended.

SEC. 103. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO 
              PROMOTE THE GOALS OF THE PEACE CORPS.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide support for 
returned Peace Corps volunteers to develop and carry out programs and 
projects to promote the third purpose of the Peace Corps Act, as set 
forth in section 2(a) of that Act (22 U.S.C. 2501(a)), relating to 
promoting an understanding of other peoples on the part of the American 
people.
    (b) Grants to Certain Nonprofit Corporations and Returned Peace 
Corps Volunteers.--
            (1) Grant authority.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
        award grants on a competitive basis to private nonprofit 
        corporations and returned Peace Corps volunteers for the 
        purpose of enabling returned Peace Corps volunteers to use 
        their knowledge and expertise to develop programs and projects 
        to carry out the purpose described in subsection (a).
            (2) Programs and projects.--The programs and projects that 
        may receive grant funds under this section include--
                    (A) educational programs designed to enrich the 
                knowledge and interest of elementary school and 
                secondary school students in the geography and cultures 
                of other countries where the volunteers have served;
                    (B) projects that involve partnerships with local 
                libraries to enhance community knowledge about other 
                peoples and countries; and
                    (C) audiovisual projects that utilize materials 
                collected by the volunteers during their service that 
                would be of educational value to communities.
            (3) Eligibility.--
                    (A) Returned peace corps volunteers.--To be 
                eligible for a grant under this section, an individual 
                who has served as a Peace Corps volunteer shall have 
                successfully completed all aspects of the volunteer's 
                required Peace Corps service.
                    (B) Nonprofit corporations.--To be eligible for a 
                grant under this section, a nonprofit corporation shall 
                have a board of directors composed of one or more 
                returned Peace Corps volunteers with a background in 
                community service, education, or health.
                    (C) Regulations.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
                Peace Corps shall promulgate rules and guidelines as to 
                the appropriate accounting and audit standards and 
                other reporting requirements that must be adhered to by 
                an individual or nonprofit corporation as a condition 
                of eligibility to receive grants under this section.
    (c) Status of the Fund.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to make any individual or nonprofit corporation supported under this 
section an agency or establishment of the Federal Government or to make 
any member of the board of directors or any officer or employee of such 
nonprofit corporation an officer or employee of the United States.
    (d) Congressional Oversight.--Grant recipients under this section 
shall be subject to the appropriate oversight procedures of Congress.
    (e) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--In addition to any other funds made 
        available to the Peace Corps under any other provision of law, 
        there is authorized to be appropriated for the Peace Corps for 
        fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter $10,000,000 to 
        carry out this section.
            (2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until expended 
        without regard to fiscal year.

SEC. 104. RECRUITMENT OF EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The vast majority of Peace Corps volunteers have 
        recently graduated from college.
            (2) The Peace Corps should include among its ranks more 
        experienced individuals as Peace Corps volunteers to help meet 
        specific development needs in certain countries and to serve as 
        mentors for less experienced volunteers.
    (b) Recruitment Goal.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall set 
        a goal of doubling by December 31, 2009, the number of Peace 
        Corps volunteers with at least 5 years of relevant work 
        experience serving in the Peace Corps and shall implement 
        measures to achieve such goal.
            (2) Reports.--The Director shall periodically report to 
        Congress the progress made in achieving the recruitment goal 
        established pursuant to paragraph (1).
    (c) Survey of Experienced Volunteers.--The Director of the Peace 
Corps shall conduct, every 2 years, a survey of Peace Corps volunteers 
with substantial work experience who are serving in country to 
determine what additional actions would reduce or eliminate 
disincentives and barriers to service for Peace Corps volunteers with 
substantial work experience.
    (d) Plan for Eliminating Disincentives.--The Director of the Peace 
Corps shall direct a study on the disincentives and barriers to service 
for Peace Corps volunteers with substantial work experience and shall 
establish and report to Congress on a plan for eliminating such 
disincentives and barriers. The plan shall include the development and 
use of substantial written language curriculum materials designed to 
facilitate the learning of foreign languages by Peace Corps volunteers 
with varying degrees of work experience and academic training.
    (e) Demonstration Program.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
designate for each of fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010 at least 20 
sector-specific programs in at least 20 different countries for which a 
minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience shall be required of 
Peace Corps volunteers. The Director shall evaluate the issues that 
arise with respect to those programs as they are implemented and 
conducted.

SEC. 105. DIGITAL PEACE CORPS.

    The Director of the Peace Corps shall establish a system for 
promoting, by electronic means, improved communication among Peace 
Corps volunteers and staff, including the establishment of websites and 
e-mail links for use on a password-only basis by Peace Corps volunteers 
in country to discuss development strategies, funding sources, and 
other issues. All close of service reports shall be available on such 
websites or e-mail links.

            TITLE II--EMPOWERMENT OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS

SEC. 201. PARTICIPATION OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS IN REVIEWS OF SENIOR 
              STAFF AND PROGRAMS.

    (a) Reviews of Senior Staff.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
        establish a mechanism for soliciting the views of Peace Corps 
        volunteers serving in country regarding the support provided by 
        senior staff. The information shall be kept confidential and 
        reported to the appropriate Regional Peace Corps Directors.
            (2) Consideration of reviews in connection with contract 
        decisions.--The information collected pursuant to paragraph (1) 
        shall be given appropriate weight in the decisionmaking process 
        with respect to the extension of contracts for Country 
        Directors, Chief Administrative Officers, Peace Corps Medical 
        Officers, and Associate Peace Corps Directors.
    (b) Reviews of Peace Corps Programs.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
        establish a mechanism for soliciting the views of Peace Corps 
        volunteers serving in country regarding the design, 
        effectiveness, and continued need for the programs in which 
        they serve. The information shall be kept confidential and 
        reported to the appropriate Regional Peace Corps Directors.
            (2) Consideration of reviews in connection with program 
        decisions.--The information collected pursuant to paragraph (1) 
        shall be given appropriate weight in the decisionmaking process 
        with respect to the design of, and continued need for, Peace 
        Corps programs.

SEC. 202. VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    (a) In General.--There shall be established in each country in 
which Peace Corps programs exist a Volunteer Advisory Committee 
composed of representatives elected from among the volunteers serving 
in such country.
    (b) Duties.--Each Volunteer Advisory Committee shall meet at least 
quarterly to make recommendations to the Country Director, Chief 
Administrative Officer, Associate Peace Corps Directors, and Peace 
Corps Medical Officers serving in that country. The recommendations 
shall be forwarded to the Regional Peace Corps Director.
    (c) Responsiveness to Recommendations a Factor in Performance 
Reviews.--The responsiveness of the senior staff described in 
subsection (b) to Volunteer Advisory Committee recommendations shall be 
given appropriate weight in the decisionmaking process with respect to 
performance reviews and extensions of contracts.

SEC. 203. INPUT OF VOLUNTEERS REGARDING SITE SELECTION AND TRAINING 
              CURRICULUM.

    Associate Peace Corps Directors shall give substantial weight to 
the recommendations of Peace Corps volunteers regarding--
            (1) Peace Corps site selection, including the placement of 
        additional or subsequent Peace Corps volunteers at existing 
        sites; and
            (2) the training curriculum for Peace Corps volunteers.

                TITLE III--PERSONNEL ISSUES AND BENEFITS

SEC. 301. REFORMS TO MEDICAL SCREENING PROCESS.

    As part of the effort to recruit more experienced Peace Corps 
volunteers, the director of the Peace Corps shall reform the medical 
screening process used by the Peace Corps. The reforms shall include 
the following measures:
            (1) Publication on the Internet website of the Peace Corps 
        the Medical Screening Guidelines used by the Peace Corps, 
        including a listing of--
                    (A) medical conditions that typically disqualify 
                individuals from serving as Peace Corps volunteers; and
                    (B) medical conditions that typically lead to a 
                medical accommodation and a listing of countries 
                available to accept volunteers with such medical 
                accommodations.
            (2) Establishment of a process for applicants and other 
        interested parties to propose changes to the Medical Screening 
        Guidelines.
            (3) Establishment of a process allowing volunteers to 
        appeal rejections on medical grounds, including the right to 
        base an appeal on the inadequacy of the Medical Screening 
        Guidelines.
            (4) Publication on the Internet website of the Peace Corps 
        of a detailed description of the medical screening process 
        applicable to Peace Corps volunteers, including definitions of 
        all applicable terms of art.
            (5) Improved information for Peace Corps volunteers and 
        applicants regarding the meaning and implications of failure to 
        disclose medical information.
            (6) Full reimbursement for medical tests required by the 
        Peace Corps of volunteers and applicants.

SEC. 302. HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR RETIREES WHO SERVE AS PEACE 
              CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Peace Corps volunteers, who receive health care 
        benefits from the Peace Corps during their service, have the 
        right, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Office of 
        Personnel Management (subpart C of part 890 of title 5, Code of 
        Federal Regulations), to suspend Federal health benefits 
        coverage during their terms of service, when they receive 
        benefits provided by the Peace Corps, and resume enrollment 
        when their service is complete.
            (2) Peace Corps volunteers do not have the same right of 
        reenrollment with respect to health benefits coverage provided 
        by State and local governments, private entities, and other 
        organizations, which serves as a substantial financial 
        disincentive for retirees to serve as volunteers.
    (b) Reenrollment Privileges.--The Director of the Peace Corps shall 
seek to secure the right for Peace Corps volunteers to suspend 
enrollment in retiree health plans of State and local governments, 
private entities, and other organizations during their terms of service 
and to resume enrollment after completion of such service.

SEC. 303. REPORT ON COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXTENDING POST-SERVICE HEALTH 
              COVERAGE.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to Congress a report on 
the costs and policy issues associated with extending the one-month 
period of health coverage provided to Peace Corps volunteers upon 
completion of their terms of service by an additional 5 months.

SEC. 304. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON NEED FOR SPECIAL RULE FOR PEACE CORPS 
              VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES IN DETERMINING EXCLUSION OF GAIN 
              FROM SALE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.

    It is the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury 
should propose and Congress should enact legislation to provide tax 
treatment related to gain from sales of principal residence by Peace 
Corps volunteers during their period of active service that is similar 
to the treatment given members of the uniformed services and the 
foreign service.

SEC. 305. TREASURY GUIDANCE REGARDING TAX DEDUCTIONS.

    The Secretary of the Treasury shall, in consultation with the 
Director of the Peace Corps, publish guidance with respect to expenses 
which may be deducted from gross income that are pertinent to 
individuals enrolled as volunteers or volunteer leaders under the Peace 
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.).

SEC. 306. PROTECTING RIGHTS OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.

    (a) Conduct Subject to Termination.--The Director of the Peace 
Corps shall ensure that Peace Corps volunteers are subject to 
administrative separation only for specific conduct violations 
specified in section 204 of the Peace Corps Manual and that volunteers 
are made fully aware of the consequences of such violations.
    (b) Whistleblower Protection.--The Director of the Peace Corps 
shall ensure that Peace Corps volunteers reporting the misconduct of 
Peace Corps staff or advocating for reforms are treated in accordance 
with the provisions of chapter 23 of title 5, United States Code, 
prohibiting certain personnel practices (commonly referred to as 
whistleblower protection provisions).
    (c) Right To Publish Without Prior Approval.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), Peace 
        Corps volunteers shall not be required to submit stories, 
        articles, or other material they publish to Country Directors 
        for prior approval.
            (2) Exception related to country-specific material.--
                    (A) Approval requirement.--A Peace Corps volunteer 
                shall be required to submit to a Country Director for 
                review and prior approval any stories, articles, or 
                other material that the volunteer intends to publish 
                that relate specifically to the Peace Corps program 
                operating in the country where the volunteer is serving 
                or to policies or actions by officials of the 
                government of such country.
                    (B) Right to appeal.--The decision of a Country 
                Director regarding material submitted for approval 
                under subparagraph (A) shall be appealable to the 
                Regional Peace Corps Director.

SEC. 307. FINANCIAL GUIDE FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS AND APPLICANTS.

    The Peace Corps shall publish a financial guide for Peace Corps 
volunteers and applicants regarding how to manage finances in the 
United States while serving abroad.

               TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 3(b)(1) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502(b)(1)) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
purposes of this Act $336,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $380,000,000 
for fiscal year 2009, $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and 
$618,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.''.
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