Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-1456
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2021-03-01 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Cemeteries and funerals
Congressional oversight
Cosmetics and personal care
Dental care
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Drug therapy
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Judicial review and appeals
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
National and community service
National symbols
Peace Corps
Prescription drugs
Sex and reproductive health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
User charges and fees
Women's health
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: 

Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps.
 
Changes include expanding benefits and services for volunteers by increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions.
 
Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to three months of health care benefits (and a three-month extension at the volunteer's expense). The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with (1) information about enrolling in U.S. health plans no more than 30 days prior to service termination, (2) adequate access to menstrual products, and (3) mental health care during and after service.
 
The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies or otherwise through no fault of the volunteer, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers.
 
The Peace Corps must also provide adequate support to insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements and plans concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad.
 
The bill also
 
 
modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions,
 
expands whistleblower protections for volunteers,
 
increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim, and
 
requires a focus on leveraging the internet in Peace Corps programs.
 
 
Furthermore, the bill requires reporting on (1) Peace Corps operations in the Pacific Islands, and (2) the provision of mental health services to volunteers.

action_date: 2022-09-09
text: 

Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps.
 
Changes include increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions.
 
Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to sixty days of health care benefits. The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with information about enrolling in U.S. health plans before service termination and mental health care during and after service.
 
The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers.
 
The Peace Corps must also adequately insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad.
 
The bill also
 
 
authorizes Peace Corps to recruit domestically based volunteers to serve in the United States at the request of another agency or to provide services in a host country virtually, 
 
modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions,
 
expands whistleblower protections for volunteers,
 
increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim,
 
requires Peace Corps to implement a zero tolerance drug use policy regarding volunteer involvement with illegal drugs, and 
 
emphasizes the use of the internet in Peace Corps programs.
 
 
Furthermore, the bill requires reporting, including on the provision of mental health services to volunteers.

action_date: 2022-09-19
text: 

Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps.
 
Changes include increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions.
 
Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to sixty days of health care benefits. The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with information about enrolling in U.S. health plans before service termination and mental health care during and after service.
 
The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers.
 
The Peace Corps must also adequately insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad.
 
The bill also
 
 
authorizes Peace Corps to recruit domestically based volunteers to serve in the United States at the request of another agency or to provide services in a host country virtually, 
 
modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions,
 
expands whistleblower protections for volunteers,
 
increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim,
 
requires Peace Corps to implement a zero tolerance drug use policy regarding volunteer involvement with illegal drugs, and 
 
emphasizes the use of the internet in Peace Corps programs.
 
 
Furthermore, the bill requires reporting, including on the provision of mental health services to volunteers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-09-20
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 492.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 290 - 125 (Roll no. 440). (text: CR H7886-7891)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 290 - 125 (Roll no. 440).(text: CR H7886-7891)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7946-7947)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1456.
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7886-7893)
action_date: 2022-09-19
text: Mr. Malinowski moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 354.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: Committee on Education and Labor discharged.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 117-457, Part I.
action_date: 2022-09-09
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. H. Rept. 117-457, Part I.
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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.
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR  E184)
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-03-01
text: Introduced in House