I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4589 
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish 
in the Department of State a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer 
and the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to promote increased diversity 
and inclusion in the Foreign Service, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 21, 2021 
Mr. CASTRO of Texas (for himself, Mrs. TORRES of California, Ms. BASS, Ms. 
CHU, Ms. TITUS, Ms. ESCOBAR, Mr. CARSON, Mr. SIRES, Mr. GARCI´A 
of Illinois, Mr. COHEN, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. LIEU, Mr. 
CONNOLLY, Mr. POCAN, Mr. KIM of New Jersey, Mr. JOHNSON of Geor-
gia, Ms. JACOBS of California, Mr. CASE, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. MCGOVERN, 
Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. TORRES of New York, and 
Mrs. HAYES) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 
1956 to establish in the Department of State a Chief 
Diversity and Inclusion Officer and the Foreign Service 
Act of 1980 to promote increased diversity and inclusion 
in the Foreign Service, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definition. 
TITLE I—CHIEF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER 
Sec. 101. Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. 
TITLE II—DIVERSITY IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE AND AT THE 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
Sec. 201. Representation on Board of Examiners for the purposes of recruit-
ment into the Foreign Service. 
Sec. 202. Promotion in the Foreign Service. 
Sec. 203. Mentorship program. 
Sec. 204. Senior Executive Service candidate development program. 
Sec. 205. Diversity defined in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITION. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘diversity’’ means those classes 
of persons protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
(42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.) and the Americans with Disabil-
ities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). 
TITLE I—CHIEF DIVERSITY AND 
INCLUSION OFFICER 
SEC. 101. CHIEF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 1 of the State De-
partment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 
2651a) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsections: 
‘‘(i) CHIEF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the 
Department of State, in the office of the Deputy 
Secretary of State, a Chief Diversity and Inclusion 
Officer, who shall— 
‘‘(A) be appointed by the President; 
‘‘(B) serve as the principal advisor to the 
Secretary of State on issues related to diversity 
and inclusion at the Department of State; and 
‘‘(C) report directly to the Secretary of 
State. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Chief Diversity and Inclu-
sion Officer shall be responsible for the following: 
‘‘(A) Developing, implementing, and updat-
ing a diversity and inclusion strategic plan of 
the Department of State to eliminate barriers 
to the recruitment, promotion, and retention of 
traditionally underrepresented groups and to 
promote the implementation of diversity and in-
clusion practices and policies throughout the 
Department. 
‘‘(B) Establishing criteria and goals for in-
dividual offices and bureaus regarding assign-
ments of personnel, in coordination with the Di-
rector General of the Foreign Service, to pro-
mote diversity and inclusion at the Department 
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of State, and conducting annual reviews of indi-
vidual bureaus on their actions taken to satisfy 
such criteria and goals. 
‘‘(C) Serving as a permanent member of 
any departmental committees responsible for 
the selection of chiefs of mission and deputy 
chiefs of mission. 
‘‘(D) Serving as the Executive Secretary 
for the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership 
Council established in subsection (i). 
‘‘(E) Reviewing the implementation and ef-
fectiveness of the Department of State’s ac-
countability mechanisms in eliminating dis-
crimination and harassment. 
‘‘(F) Promoting mentorship and sponsor-
ship for members belonging to traditionally 
underrepresented groups who are working for 
the Department of State. 
‘‘(G) Collaborating with appropriate coun-
terparts from other Federal departments and 
agencies and the private sector, to share best 
practices and lessons learned with respect to 
promoting diversity and inclusion. 
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‘‘(3) RANK AND STATUS.—The Chief Diversity 
and Inclusion Officer shall be rank equivalent to an 
Assistant Secretary of State. 
‘‘(4) BUREAU
SENIOR
ADVISORS.—The Sec-
retary of State shall appoint in each bureau of the 
Department of State a Senior Advisor with respect 
to matters relating to diversity and inclusion, to— 
‘‘(A) serve as the principal advisor for such 
bureau and report directly to the Principal 
Deputy Assistant Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) coordinate with the Chief Diversity 
and Inclusion Officer the activities of such bu-
reau. 
‘‘(5) AUTHORITY TO COLLECT INFORMATION.— 
To carry out the duties described in paragraph (2), 
the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer is author-
ized to— 
‘‘(A) collect and share with Department of 
State leadership, the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs of the House of Representatives, the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and 
Federal departments and agencies, and, as ap-
propriate, with Employee Affinity Groups, for-
eign affairs professional associations, and other 
organizations non-personally identifiable infor-
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mation on diversity in recruiting, hiring, assign-
ments, promotions, attrition, and security clear-
ances, including assignment restrictions, within 
the Department, including data disaggregated 
by race, ethnicity, national origin, and gender, 
and by office and bureau; and 
‘‘(B) appoint subject matter experts in ac-
cordance with the Intergovernmental Personnel 
Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.) to analyze 
data, draft reports, and perform other tasks as 
directed by the Chief Diversity and Inclusion 
Officer. 
‘‘(6) REPORTING.—Not later than January 30 
of every year, the Secretary of State shall submit to 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations of the Senate a report— 
‘‘(A) detailing the criteria and goals for in-
dividual offices and bureaus of the Department 
of State with respect to diversity and inclusion; 
‘‘(B) assessments by the Chief Diversity 
and Inclusion Officer on the performance over 
the previous year of each such office and bu-
reau to satisfy such criteria and goals; and 
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‘‘(C) containing any other relevant infor-
mation. 
‘‘(7) DEFINITION.—In this subsection and sub-
section (j) (relating to the Diversity and Inclusion 
Leadership Council), the term ‘diversity’ means 
those classes of persons protected under the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.) and 
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). 
‘‘(j) DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEADERSHIP COUN-
CIL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State 
shall establish a Diversity and Inclusion Leadership 
Council to coordinate the implementation of the De-
partment of State’s diversity and inclusion strategic 
plans, initiatives, and policies. 
‘‘(2) CHAIR.—The Diversity and Inclusion 
Leadership Council shall be chaired by the Secretary 
of State. In the Secretary’s absence, the Chief Di-
versity and Inclusion Officer shall perform the duties 
of the chair. 
‘‘(3) COMPOSITION.—The Diversity and Inclu-
sion Leadership Council shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) The Secretary of State. 
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‘‘(B) The Chief Diversity and Inclusion Of-
ficer. 
‘‘(C) The Director General of Global Tal-
ent Management. 
‘‘(D) One individual from each Bureau, at 
the rank of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State 
or above. 
‘‘(E) Any other individual determined ap-
propriate by the Secretary of State. 
‘‘(4) TERM.—Members of the Diversity and In-
clusion Leadership Council shall be appointed in ac-
cordance with this subsection for a period of time as 
determined by the Secretary of State.’’. 
(b) TRANSITION.—The individual serving as Chief 
Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the Department of State 
may continue to serve in such position until such time as 
the appointment of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Offi-
cer of the Department in accordance with subsection (i) 
of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities 
Act of 1956, as added by subsection (a). 
(c) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer of the 
Department of State established pursuant to subsection 
(i) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956, 
as added by subsection (a), should be provided sufficient 
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office space and support staff to ensure successful oper-
ation. 
TITLE 
II—DIVERSITY 
IN 
THE 
FOREIGN SERVICE AND AT 
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 
SEC. 201. REPRESENTATION ON BOARD OF EXAMINERS 
FOR THE PURPOSES OF RECRUITMENT INTO 
THE FOREIGN SERVICE. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Department of 
State Board of Examiners should reflect the diversity of 
the United States to facilitate the entry into the Foreign 
Service of individuals who satisfy the rigorous require-
ments of the Service and reflect the diversity of the Amer-
ican people. 
SEC. 202. PROMOTION IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE. 
The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended— 
(1) in section 602 (22 U.S.C. 4002), by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) Not later than January 31 of each year, the Sec-
retary of State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that— 
‘‘(1) details the demographic composition of se-
lection boards under this section and the Board of 
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Examiners for the Foreign Service under section 
211 convened in the previous year; 
‘‘(2) may include information on the diversity of 
the members of such boards; and 
‘‘(3) includes any other information the Sec-
retary determines relevant.’’; and 
(2) in section 603 (22 U.S.C. 4003)— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the second sen-
tence, by inserting ‘‘testimony from peers and 
subordinates,’’ after ‘‘supervisors,’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘, 
or’’ and inserting ‘‘; or’’; 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
and (2) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respec-
tively; and 
(iii) by inserting before paragraph (3), 
as so redesignated, the following new para-
graphs: 
‘‘(1) a record of supporting the recruitment and 
career development goals of members of the Foreign 
Service, such as serving as a mentor in mentorship 
program under section 709, participation in recruit-
ment activities, or serving on the Board of Exam-
iners or on selection boards; 
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‘‘(2) a record of promoting and supporting di-
versity and inclusion at the Department of State, in-
cluding in management practices;’’. 
SEC. 203. MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Foreign Service Act of 1980 
is amended by inserting after section 708 (22 U.S.C. 
4028) the following new sections: 
‘‘SEC. 709. MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) The Secretary of State shall establish in the De-
partment of State a mentorship program to match inter-
ested participants who are— 
‘‘(1) entry-level members of the Foreign Serv-
ice; and 
‘‘(2) mid-level members of the Foreign Service. 
‘‘(b) Individuals participating in the mentorship pro-
gram under this section should participate for a minimum 
of two years. 
‘‘(c) The mentorship program established under this 
section may include members of Employee Affinity Groups 
as mentors, in addition to other individuals selected by the 
Secretary of State. 
‘‘(d) Service as a mentor in the mentorship program 
may be considered as satisfying the criteria described in 
section 603(b)(1).’’. 
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(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
in section 2 of the Foreign Service Act is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 707 the following 
new items: 
‘‘Sec. 708. Training for Foreign Service officers. 
‘‘Sec. 709. Mentorship program.’’. 
(c) MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR CIVIL SERVICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall 
establish a mentorship program to match mentors 
with interested participants who are— 
(A) members of the civil service at the GS– 
12 level and below; and 
(B) members of the civil service from at 
the GS–13 level to the GS–15 level. 
(2) DURATION.—Individuals participating in 
the civil service mentorship program under para-
graph (1) should participate for a minimum of two 
years. 
(3) 
INCLUSION
OF
EMPLOYEE
AFFINITY 
GROUPS.—Members of Employee Affinity Groups 
and other individuals selected by the Secretary of 
State may serve as mentors in the civil service 
mentorship program under paragraph (1). 
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SEC. 204. SENIOR EXECUTIVE SERVICE CANDIDATE DEVEL-
OPMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall offer 
the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Pro-
gram every three years to members of the civil service at 
the Department of State at the GS–14 and GS–15 levels. 
(b) REPORT.—The Secretary of State shall submit to 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate, at the same time as each report required 
under section 313 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as 
added by section 2(a)(2), a report detailing disaggregated 
demographic information of candidates referred by each 
bureau of the Department of State to interview for the 
Senior Executive Service, including demographic informa-
tion, disaggregated by bureau, relating to the diversity of 
such candidates. 
SEC. 205. DIVERSITY DEFINED IN THE FOREIGN SERVICE 
ACT OF 1980. 
Section 102 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 
U.S.C. 3902) is amended by— 
(1) redesignating paragraphs (5) through (12) 
as paragraphs (6) through (13), respectively; and 
(2) inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
new paragraph: 
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‘‘(5) ‘diversity’ has the meaning given such 
term in subsection (i) of section 1 of the State De-
partment Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 
2651a);’’. 
Æ 
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