Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011
PL 112-57 (S.1280), enacted 11/21/2011

125 STAT. 736 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
Public Law 112–57 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and response 
training, the development of a sexual assault policy, the establishment of an 
Office of Victim Advocacy, the establishment of a Sexual Assault Advisory Council, 
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 ‘‘Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer 
Protection Act of 2011’’. 
SEC. 2. PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER PROTECTION. 
The Peace Corps Act is amended by inserting after section 
8 (22 U.S.C. 2507) the following new sections: 
‘‘SEXUAL ASSAULT RISK-REDUCTION AND RESPONSE TRAINING 
‘‘SEC. 8A. (a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the training provided 
to all volunteers under section 8(a), the President shall develop 
and implement comprehensive sexual assault risk-reduction and 
response training that, to the extent practicable, conforms to best 
practices in the sexual assault field. 
‘‘(b) DEVELOPMENT
AND CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS.—In 
developing the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training 
under subsection (a), the President shall consult with and incor-
porate, as appropriate, the recommendations and views of experts 
in the sexual assault field. 
‘‘(c) SUBSEQUENT TRAINING.—Once a volunteer has arrived in 
his or her country of service, the President shall provide the volun-
teer with training tailored to the country of service that includes 
cultural training relating to gender relations, risk-reduction strate-
gies, treatment available in such country (including sexual assault 
forensic exams, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV exposure, 
screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy testing), 
MedEvac procedures, and information regarding a victim’s right 
to pursue legal action against a perpetrator. 
‘‘(d) INFORMATION
REGARDING
CRIMES
AND
RISKS.—Each 
applicant for enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided with 
information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers in 
the country in which the applicant has been invited to serve, 
including an overview of past crimes against volunteers in the 
country. 
‘‘(e) CONTACT INFORMATION.—The President shall provide each 
applicant, before the applicant enrolls as a volunteer, with— 
22 USC 2507a. 
President. 
Kate Puzey 
Peace Corps 
Volunteer 
Protection Act 
of 2011. 
22 USC 2501 
note. 
Nov. 21, 2011 
[S. 1280] 
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125 STAT. 737 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
‘‘(1) the contact information of the Inspector General of 
the Peace Corps for purposes of reporting sexual assault mis-
management or any other mismanagement, misconduct, wrong-
doing, or violations of law or policy whenever it involves a 
Peace Corps employee, volunteer, contractor, or outside party 
that receives funds from the Peace Corps; 
‘‘(2) clear, written guidelines regarding whom to contact, 
including the direct telephone number for the designated Sexual 
Assault Response Liaison (SARL) and the Office of Victim 
Advocacy and what steps to take in the event of a sexual 
assault or other crime; and 
‘‘(3) contact information for a 24-hour sexual assault hotline 
to be established for the purpose of providing volunteers a 
mechanism to anonymously— 
‘‘(A) report sexual assault; 
‘‘(B) receive crisis counseling in the event of a sexual 
assault; and 
‘‘(C) seek information about Peace Corps sexual assault 
reporting and response procedures. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section and sections 8B through 8G: 
‘‘(1) PERSONALLY
IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION.—The term 
‘personally identifying information’ means individually identi-
fying information for or about a volunteer who is a victim 
of sexual assault, including information likely to disclose the 
location of such victim, including the following: 
‘‘(A) A first and last name. 
‘‘(B) A home or other physical address. 
‘‘(C) Contact information (including a postal, email, 
or Internet protocol address, or telephone or facsimile 
number). 
‘‘(D) A social security number. 
‘‘(E) Any other information, including date of birth, 
racial or ethnic background, or religious affiliation, that, 
in combination with information described in subpara-
graphs (A) through (D), would serve to identify the victim. 
‘‘(2) RESTRICTED REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘restricted reporting’ 
means a system of reporting that allows a volunteer who 
is sexually assaulted to confidentially disclose the details 
of his or her assault to specified individuals and receive 
the services outlined in section 8B(c) without the dissemi-
nation of his or her personally identifying information 
except as necessary for the provision of such services, and 
without automatically triggering an official investigative 
process. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.—In cases in which volunteers elect 
restricted reporting, disclosure of their personally identi-
fying information is authorized to the following persons 
or organizations when disclosure would be for the following 
reasons: 
‘‘(i) Peace Corps staff or law enforcement when 
authorized by the victim in writing. 
‘‘(ii) Peace Corps staff or law enforcement to pre-
vent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the 
health or safety of the victim or another person. 
Guidelines. 
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125 STAT. 738 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
‘‘(iii) SARLs, victim advocates or healthcare pro-
viders when required for the provision of victim serv-
ices. 
‘‘(iv) State and Federal courts when ordered, or 
if disclosure is required by Federal or State statute. 
‘‘(C) NOTICE
OF
DISCLOSURE
AND
PRIVACY
PROTEC-
TION.—In cases in which information is disclosed pursuant 
to subparagraph (B), the President shall— 
‘‘(i) make reasonable attempts to provide notice 
to the volunteer with respect to whom such information 
is being released; and 
‘‘(ii) take such action as is necessary to protect 
the privacy and safety of the volunteer. 
‘‘(3) SEXUAL ASSAULT.—The term ‘sexual assault’ means 
any conduct prescribed by chapter 109A of title 18, United 
States Code, whether or not the conduct occurs in the special 
maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and 
includes both assaults committed by offenders who are 
strangers to the victim and assaults committed by offenders 
who are known or related by blood or marriage to the victim. 
‘‘(4) STALKING.—The term ‘stalking’ means engaging in a 
course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause 
a reasonable person to— 
‘‘(A) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; 
or 
‘‘(B) suffer substantial emotional distress. 
‘‘SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY 
‘‘SEC. 8B. (a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall develop and 
implement a comprehensive sexual assault policy that— 
‘‘(1) includes a system for restricted and unrestricted 
reporting of sexual assault; 
‘‘(2) mandates, for each Peace Corps country program, the 
designation of a Sexual Assault Response Liaison (SARL), who 
shall receive comprehensive training on procedures to respond 
to reports of sexual assault, with duties including ensuring 
that volunteers who are victims of sexual assault are moved 
to a safe environment and accompanying victims through the 
in-country response at the request of the victim; 
‘‘(3) requires SARLs to immediately contact a Victim Advo-
cate upon receiving a report of sexual assault in accordance 
with the restricted and unrestricted reporting guidelines 
promulgated by the Peace Corps; 
‘‘(4) to the extent practicable, conforms to best practices 
in the sexual assault field; 
‘‘(5) is applicable to all posts at which volunteers serve; 
and 
‘‘(6) includes a guarantee that volunteers will not suffer 
loss of living allowances for reporting a sexual assault. 
‘‘(b) DEVELOPMENT
AND CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS.—In 
developing the sexual assault policy under subsection (a), the Presi-
dent shall consult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the rec-
ommendations and views of experts in the sexual assault field, 
including experts with international experience. 
‘‘(c) ELEMENTS.—The sexual assault policy developed under sub-
section (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following services 
with respect to a volunteer who has been a victim of sexual assault: 
22 USC 2507b. 
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125 STAT. 739 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
‘‘(1) The option of pursuing either restricted or unrestricted 
reporting of an assault. 
‘‘(2) Provision of a SARL and Victim’s Advocate to the 
volunteer. 
‘‘(3) At a volunteer’s discretion, provision of a sexual assault 
forensic exam in accordance with applicable host country law. 
‘‘(4) If necessary, the provision of emergency health care, 
including a mechanism for such volunteer to evaluate such 
provider. 
‘‘(5) If necessary, the provision of counseling and psychiatric 
medication. 
‘‘(6) Completion of a safety and treatment plan with the 
volunteer, if necessary. 
‘‘(7) Evacuation of such volunteer for medical treatment, 
accompanied by a Peace Corps staffer at the request of such 
volunteer. When evacuated to the United States, such volunteer 
shall be provided, to the extent practicable, a choice of medical 
providers including a mechanism for such volunteers to 
evaluate the provider. 
‘‘(8) An explanation to the volunteer of available law 
enforcement and prosecutorial options, and legal representa-
tion. 
‘‘(d) TRAINING.—The President shall train all staff outside the 
United States regarding the sexual assault policy developed under 
subsection (a). 
‘‘OFFICE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY 
‘‘SEC. 
8C. 
(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
OFFICE
OF
VICTIMS 
ADVOCACY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall establish an Office 
of Victim Advocacy in Peace Corps headquarters headed by 
a full-time victim advocate who shall report directly to the 
Director. The Office of Victim Advocacy may deploy personnel 
abroad when necessary to help assist victims. 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—Peace Corps Medical Officers, Safety 
and Security Officers, and program staff may not serve as 
victim advocates. The victim advocate referred to in paragraph 
(1) may not have any other duties in the Peace Corps that 
are not reasonably connected to victim advocacy. 
‘‘(3) EXEMPTION.—The victim advocate and any additional 
victim advocates shall be exempt from the limitations specified 
in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) and paragraph 
(5) under section 7(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506(a)). 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.—The Office of Victim 
Advocacy shall help develop and update the sexual assault 
risk-reduction and response training described in section 8A 
and the sexual assault policy described in section 8B, ensure 
that volunteers who are victims of sexual assault receive serv-
ices specified in section 8B(c), and facilitate their access to 
such services. 
‘‘(2) OTHER
CRIMES.—In addition to assisting victims of 
sexual assault in accordance with paragraph (1), the Office 
of Victim Advocacy shall assist volunteers who are victims 
of crime by making such victims aware of the services available 
to them and facilitating their access to such services. 
22 USC 2507c. 
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125 STAT. 740 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY.—The Office of Victim Advocacy shall give 
priority to cases involving serious crimes, including sexual 
assault and stalking. 
‘‘(c) STATUS UPDATES.—The Office of Victim Advocacy shall 
provide to volunteers who are victims regular updates on the status 
of their cases if such volunteers have opted to pursue prosecution. 
‘‘(d) TRANSITION.—The Office of Victim Advocacy shall assist 
volunteers who are victims of crime and whose service has termi-
nated in receiving the services specified in section 8B(c) requested 
by such volunteer. 
‘‘(e) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective on October 
1, 2018. 
‘‘ESTABLISHMENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVISORY COUNCIL 
‘‘SEC. 8D. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a Sexual 
Assault Advisory Council (in this section referred to as the 
‘Council’). 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Council shall be composed of not less 
than 8 individuals selected by the President, not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this section, who are 
returned volunteers (including volunteers who were victims of 
sexual assault and volunteers who were not victims of sexual 
assault) and governmental and nongovernmental experts and 
professionals in the sexual assault field. No Peace Corps employee 
shall be a member of the Council. The number of governmental 
experts appointed to the Council shall not exceed the number of 
nongovernmental experts. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS; MEETINGS.—The Council shall meet not less 
often than annually to review the sexual assault risk-reduction 
and response training developed under section 8A, the sexual 
assault policy developed under section 8B, and such other matters 
related to sexual assault the Council views as appropriate, to ensure 
that such training and policy conform to the extent practicable 
to best practices in the sexual assault field. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—On an annual basis for 5 years after the date 
of the enactment of this section and at the discretion of the Council 
thereafter, the Council shall submit to the President and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report 
on its findings based on the reviews conducted pursuant to sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(e) EMPLOYEE STATUS.—Members of the Council shall not be 
considered employees of the United States Government for any 
purpose and shall not receive compensation other than reimburse-
ment of travel expenses and per diem allowance in accordance 
with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(f) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council. 
‘‘(g) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective on October 
1, 2018. 
‘‘VOLUNTEER FEEDBACK AND PEACE CORPS REVIEW 
‘‘SEC. 8E. (a) MONITORING AND EVALUATION.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the President 
shall establish goals, metrics, and monitoring and evaluation plans 
Deadline. 
22 USC 2507e. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 2507d. 
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125 STAT. 741 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
for all Peace Corps programs. Monitoring and evaluation plans 
shall incorporate best practices from monitoring and evaluation 
studies and analyses. 
‘‘(b) PERFORMANCE PLANS AND ELEMENTS.—The President shall 
establish performance plans with performance elements and stand-
ards for Peace Corps representatives and shall review the perform-
ance of Peace Corps representatives not less than annually to 
determine whether they have met these performance elements and 
standards. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting 
the discretion of the President to remove a Peace Corps representa-
tive. 
‘‘(c) ANNUAL VOLUNTEER SURVEYS.—Annually through Sep-
tember 30, 2018, the President shall conduct a confidential survey 
of volunteers regarding the effectiveness of Peace Corps programs 
and staff and the safety of volunteers. The results shall be provided 
in aggregate form without identifying information to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. Results from 
the annual volunteer survey shall be considered in reviewing the 
performance of Peace Corps representatives under subsection (a). 
‘‘(d) PEACE CORPS INSPECTOR GENERAL.—The Inspector General 
of the Peace Corps shall— 
‘‘(1) submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives— 
‘‘(A) a report, not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this section, and biennially through 
September 30, 2018, on reports received from volunteers 
relating to misconduct, mismanagement, or policy viola-
tions of Peace Corps staff, any breaches of the confiden-
tiality of volunteers, and any actions taken to assure the 
safety of volunteers who provide such reports; 
‘‘(B) a report, not later than two years and five years 
after the date of the enactment of this section, evaluating 
the effectiveness and implementation of the sexual assault 
risk-reduction and response training developed under sec-
tion 8A and the sexual assault policy developed under 
section 8B, including a case review of a statistically signifi-
cant number of cases; and 
‘‘(C) a report, not later than two years after the date 
of the enactment of this section, describing how Peace 
Corps representatives are hired, how Peace Corps rep-
resentatives are terminated, and how Peace Corps rep-
resentatives hire staff, including an assessment of the 
implementation of the performance plans described in sub-
section (b); and 
‘‘(2) when conducting audits or evaluations of Peace Corps 
programs overseas, notify the Director of the Peace Corps about 
the results of such evaluations, including concerns the Inspector 
General has noted, if any, about the performance of Peace 
Corps representatives, for appropriate action. 
‘‘(e) PORTFOLIO REVIEWS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall, at least once every 
3 years, perform a review to evaluate the allocation and delivery 
of resources across the countries the Peace Corps serves or 
Notification. 
Reports. 
Deadlines. 
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125 STAT. 742 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
is considering for service. Such portfolio reviews shall at a 
minimum include the following with respect to each such 
country: 
‘‘(A) An evaluation of the country’s commitment to 
the Peace Corps program. 
‘‘(B) An analysis of the safety and security of volun-
teers. 
‘‘(C) An evaluation of the country’s need for assistance. 
‘‘(D) An analysis of country program costs. 
‘‘(E) An evaluation of the effectiveness of management 
of each post within a country. 
‘‘(F) An evaluation of the country’s congruence with 
the Peace Corp’s mission and strategic priorities. 
‘‘(2) BRIEFING.—Upon request of the Chairman and 
Ranking Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate or the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives, the President shall brief such committees 
on each portfolio review required under paragraph (1). If 
requested, each such briefing shall discuss performance meas-
ures and sources of data used (such as project status reports, 
volunteer surveys, impact studies, reports of Inspector General 
of the Peace Corps, and any relevant external sources) in 
making the findings and conclusions in such review. 
‘‘ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLICY ON STALKING 
‘‘SEC. 8F. (a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall develop and 
implement a comprehensive policy on stalking that— 
‘‘(1) requires an immediate, effective, and thorough 
response from the Peace Corps upon receipt of a report of 
stalking; 
‘‘(2) provides, during training, all Peace Corps volunteers 
with a point of contact for the reporting of stalking; and 
‘‘(3) protects the confidentiality of volunteers who report 
stalking to the maximum extent practicable. 
‘‘(b) DEVELOPMENT
AND CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS.—In 
developing the stalking policy under subsection (a), the President 
shall consult with and incorporate, as appropriate, the recommenda-
tions and views of those with expertise regarding the crime of 
stalking. 
‘‘(c) TRAINING OF IN-COUNTRY STAFF.—The President shall pro-
vide for the training of all in-country staff regarding the stalking 
policy developed under subsection (a). 
‘‘ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTION POLICY 
‘‘SEC. 8G. (a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall establish and 
maintain a process to allow volunteers to report incidents of mis-
conduct or mismanagement, or violations of any policy, of the Peace 
Corps in order to protect the confidentiality and safety of such 
volunteers and of the information reported, and to ensure that 
such information is acted on appropriately. This process shall con-
form to existing best practices regarding confidentiality. 
‘‘(b) GUIDANCE.—The President shall provide additional training 
to officers and employees of the Peace Corps who have access 
to information reported by volunteers under subsection (a) in order 
to protect against the inappropriate disclosures of such information 
and ensure the safety of such volunteers. 
22 USC 2507g. 
22 USC 2507f. 
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125 STAT. 743 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
‘‘(c) PENALTY.—Any Peace Corps volunteer or staff member 
who is responsible for maintaining confidentiality under subsection 
(a) and who breaches such duty shall be subject to disciplinary 
action, including termination, and in the case of a staff member, 
ineligibility for re-employment with the Peace Corps. 
‘‘REMOVAL AND ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION 
‘‘SEC. 8H. (a) IN GENERAL.—If a volunteer requests removal 
from the site in which such volunteer is serving because the volun-
teer feels at risk of imminent bodily harm, the President shall, 
as expeditiously as practical after receiving such request, remove 
the volunteer from the site. If the President receives such a request, 
the President shall assess and evaluate the safety of such site 
and may not assign another volunteer to the site until such time 
as the assessment and evaluation is complete and the site has 
been determined to be safe. Volunteers may remain at a site during 
the assessment and evaluation. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION
OF SITE
AS UNSAFE.—If the President 
determines that a site is unsafe for any remaining volunteers at 
the site, the President shall, as expeditiously as practical, remove 
all volunteers from the site. 
‘‘(c) TRACKING AND RECORDING.—The President shall establish 
a global tracking and recording system to track and record incidents 
of crimes against volunteers. 
‘‘REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
‘‘SEC. 8I. (a) IN
GENERAL.—The President shall annually 
through September 30, 2018, submit to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the House of Representatives a report summarizing informa-
tion on— 
‘‘(1) sexual assault of volunteers; 
‘‘(2) other crimes against volunteers; 
‘‘(3) the number of arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations 
for crimes involving Peace Corps volunteers for every country in 
which volunteers serve; and 
‘‘(4) the annual rate of early termination of volunteers, including 
demographic data associated with such early termination. 
‘‘(b) GAO.—Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this section, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives a report evaluating the quality and accessibility 
of health care provided through the Department of Labor to 
returned volunteers upon their separation from the Peace Corps. 
‘‘(c) ACCESS TO COMMUNICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall determine the level 
of access to communication, including cellular and Internet 
access, of each volunteer. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than six months after the date 
of the enactment of this section, the President shall submit 
to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee 
on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
22 USC 2507i. 
22 USC 2507h. 
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125 STAT. 744 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
of Representatives a report on the costs, feasibility, and benefits 
of providing all volunteers with access to adequate communica-
tion, including cellular service and Internet access.’’. 
SEC. 3. RETENTION OF COUNSEL FOR CRIME VICTIMS. 
Section 5(l) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(l)) is 
amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘and counsel may be employed and counsel fees, court costs and 
other expenses may be paid in the support of volunteers who 
are parties, complaining witnesses, or otherwise participating in 
the prosecution of crimes committed against such volunteers’’. 
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STAFFING OF OFFICE OF VICTIM 
ADVOCACY. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Office of Victim Advocacy established under section 
8C of the Peace Corps Act, as added by section 2, should 
provide an adequate number of victim advocates so that each 
victim of crime receives critical information and support; 
(2) any full-time victim advocates and any additional victim 
advocates should be credentialed by a national victims assist-
ance body; and 
(3) the training required under section 8A(a) of the Peace 
Corps Act, as added by section 2, should be credentialed by 
a national victims assistance body. 
SEC. 5. PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS. 
The Peace Corps Act is amended— 
(1) in section 7(a)(3) (22 U.S.C. 2506(a)(3)), by inserting 
‘‘, or contracted with for personal services under section 
10(a)(5),’’ after ‘‘employed, appointed, or assigned under this 
subsection’’; and 
(2) in section 10(a)(5) (22 U.S.C. 2509(a)(5)), by striking 
‘‘any purpose’’ and inserting ‘‘the purposes of any law adminis-
tered by the Office of Personnel Management (except that the 
President may determine the applicability to such individuals 
of provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
3901 et seq.))’’. 
SEC. 6. INDEPENDENCE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE PEACE 
CORPS. 
Section 7(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) The limitations specified in subparagraphs (A) and 
(B) of paragraph (2) and in paragraph (5) shall not apply 
to— 
‘‘(A) the Inspector General of the Peace Corps; and 
‘‘(B) officers and employees of the Office of the 
Inspector General of the Peace Corps.’’. 
SEC. 
7. 
CONFORMING 
SAFETY 
AND 
SECURITY 
AGREEMENT 
REGARDING PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS SERVING IN FOR-
EIGN COUNTRIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall 
consult with the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security 
and enter into a memorandum of understanding that specifies the 
Deadline. 
Consultation. 
22 USC 2503 
note. 
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125 STAT. 745 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
duties and obligations of the Peace Corps and the Bureau of Diplo-
matic Security of the Department of State with respect to the 
protection of Peace Corps volunteers and staff members serving 
in foreign countries, including with respect to investigations of 
safety and security incidents and crimes committed against volun-
teers and staff members. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.— 
(1) REVIEW.—The Inspector General of the Peace Corps 
shall review the memorandum of understanding described in 
subsection (a) and be afforded the opportunity to recommend 
changes that advance the safety and security of Peace Corps 
volunteers before entry into force of the memorandum of under-
standing. 
(2) REPORT.—The Director of the Peace Corps shall consider 
the recommendations of the Inspector General of the Peace 
Corps regarding the memorandum of understanding described 
in subsection (a). If the Director enters into the memorandum 
of understanding without implementing a recommendation of 
the Inspector General, the Director shall submit to the Inspector 
General a written explanation relating thereto. 
(c) FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINE.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT REPORT.—If, by the date that 
is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Director of the Peace Corps is unable to obtain agreement 
with the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security 
and certification by the Inspector General of the Peace Corps, 
the Director shall submit to the committees of Congress speci-
fied in paragraph (2) a report explaining the reasons for such 
failure and a certification that substantial steps are being taken 
to make progress toward agreement. 
(2) COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS SPECIFIED.—The committees 
of Congress specified in this paragraph are the Committee 
on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 8. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) INCLUSION
OF
SEXUAL
ASSAULT
RISK-REDUCTION
AND 
RESPONSE TRAINING.—The Peace Corps Act is amended— 
(1) in section 5(a) (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)), in the second sen-
tence, by inserting ‘‘(including training under section 8A)’’ after 
‘‘training’’; and 
(2) in section 8(a) (22 U.S.C. 2507(a)), in the first sentence, 
by inserting ‘‘, including training under section 8A,’’ after 
‘‘training’’. 
(b) CERTAIN SERVICES.—Section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act 
(22 U.S.C. 2504(e)) is amended, in the first sentence— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘(including, if necessary, for volunteers 
and trainees, services under section 8B)’’ after ‘‘health care’’; 
and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘including services provided in accordance 
with section 8B (except that the six-month limitation shall 
not apply in the case of such services),’’ before ‘‘as the Presi-
dent’’. 
SEC. 9. OFFSET OF COSTS AND PERSONNEL. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Direct of the 
Peace Corps shall— 
22 USC 2507a 
note. 
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125 STAT. 746 
PUBLIC LAW 112–57—NOV. 21, 2011 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1280: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 112–82 (Comm. on Foreign Relations). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 157 (2011): 
Sept. 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Nov. 1, considered and passed House. 
(1) eliminate such initiatives, positions, and programs 
within the Peace Corps (other than within the Office of 
Inspector General) as the Director deems necessary to ensure 
any and all costs incurred to carry out the provisions of this 
Act, and the amendments made by this Act, are entirely offset; 
(2) ensure no net increase in personnel are added to carry 
out the provisions of this Act, with any new full or part time 
employees or equivalents offset by eliminating an equivalent 
number of existing staff (other than within the Office of 
Inspector General); 
(3) report to Congress not later than 60 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act the actions taken to ensure 
compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2), including the specific 
initiatives, positions, and programs within the Peace Corps 
that have been eliminated to ensure that the costs of carrying 
out this Act will be offset; and 
(4) not implement any other provision of this Act (other 
than paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)) or any amendment made 
by this Act until the Director has certified that the actions 
specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) have been completed. 
Approved November 21, 2011. 
Certification. 
Reports. 
Deadline. 
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