The bill will provide seed monies for active Peace Corps volunteers for demonstration projects at their specific in-country sites. It authorizes $10 million in additional annual appropriations to be distributed by the Peace Corps as grants to returned Peace Corps volunteers interested in undertaking ``third goal'' projects in their communities. The bill will also authorize active Peace Corps volunteers to accept, under certain carefully defined circumstances, private donations to support their development projects.
For any organization to thrive, managers and leaders must have access to first-hand knowledge and perspectives of those working on the front lines. And so, this bill will establish mechanisms for more volunteer input into Peace Corps operations, including staffing decisions, site selection, language training and country programs. This bill will also explicitly protect certain rights of Peace Corps volunteers with respect to termination of service and whistleblower protection.
We must bring the Peace Corps into the digital age. To that end, this bill will provide volunteers with better means of communication by establishing websites and email links for use by volunteers in-country.
Inadequate funding and internal structural roadblocks have unfortunately resulted in an unfulfilled Presidential pledge to double the size of the Peace Corps by 2007. Despite a large increase in volunteers signing up for the Peace Corps immediately after September 11, the Congressional Research Service reports that the number of Peace Corps volunteers actually declined in 2006. It is crucial that we work to reverse this troubling trend. That is why this bill authorizes active recruitment from the 185,000 returned Peace Corps volunteer community for second tours as volunteers and as participants in third goal activities in the United States.
This bill will also remove certain medical, healthcare and other impediments that discourage older individuals from becoming Peace Corps volunteers. It will create more transparency in the medical screening and appeals process, and require reports on costs associated with extending post-service health coverage from 1 month to 6 months. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's.
Senator Chris Dodd introduces Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act
S.732
Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act (Introduced in Senate)
S 732 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.
