H.R. 2259House115th Congress (2017-2019)Enacted

Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:13 PM UTC

The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 updates the Peace Corps Act to give volunteers better medical care, stronger safety and sexual‑misconduct protections, and more oversight of the agency. It also adds new reporting and survey requirements and lets the agency keep certain critical staff positions longer. The changes affect current and former volunteers, Peace Corps employees, and the agency’s leadership.

Key Provisions

Expands pre‑service medical care to include dental care, prescription information, and mental‑health expert guidance; requires each overseas post to have a qualified medical office.
Allows volunteers injured during service to receive up to 120 days of medical benefits after leaving the Corps.
Mandates a biennial impact survey of former volunteers on well‑being, career, civic engagement, and public‑service commitment, with results reported to congressional committees.
Lets the Director designate certain staff positions as critical and extend their appointments up to five years.
Requires the President to inform volunteers about the Inspector General and Victim Advocacy office during training and to keep records of that training.
Requires public posting of volunteer‑satisfaction survey results and early‑termination rates for each country.
Adds a 15‑day congressional consultation before opening, closing, or significantly changing overseas offices or programs, with a short‑notice security‑risk waiver.
Creates a rapid briefing and independent review process for any volunteer death, including preservation of evidence and possible IG‑led investigation.
Provides applicants with detailed crime, health, and safety risk information for each possible country and lets them change their preferred country.
Strengthens sexual‑misconduct protections: expands victim‑advocate roles, requires record‑keeping of resignations, adds training for host families, and improves documentation of assaults.
Expands the Sexual Assault Advisory Council to 8‑14 members, including a mental‑health professional, and gives it broader access to data for case reviews.
Updates definitions, adding a clear definition of “medical officer” and reorganizing existing definitions.

Legislative Activity

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17 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 115-256.

October 9, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 1, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Education and the Workforce, 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.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 1, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3008)

May 2, 2017

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 17, 2018

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 17, 2018

HouseCommittee

Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules,.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 17, 2018

HouseFloor

Mr. Poe (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

July 10, 2018 • 5:13 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6019-6025)

July 10, 2018 • 5:13 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2259.

July 10, 2018 • 5:13 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6019-6022)

July 10, 2018 • 5:33 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6019-6022)

July 10, 2018 • 5:33 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

July 10, 2018 • 5:34 PM

SenateCalendars

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 508.

July 11, 2018

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S6280)

September 24, 2018

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

September 25, 2018

President

Presented to President.

September 28, 2018

Became Law

Signed by President.

October 9, 2018

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 115-256.

October 9, 2018

Floor Debate

6 members

What members said about H.R. 2259 on the floor

3 Republicans3 Democrats

Rep. Ted PoeR-TX-2 · Jul 10, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2259) to amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for volunteers, and for other purposes, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2259) to amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for volunteers, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for marking up the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. This act is named after two former Peace Corps volunteers. Sam Farr served with us here in the United States Congress.

I also thank Representative Kennedy from Massachusetts, who was also a Peace Corps volunteer several years ago, for his cosponsorship of this legislation to protect our Peace Corps volunteers. I call them our angels abroad.

Recently, I have heard too many stories of young, eager volunteers who selflessly give away years of their lives to help other people in foreign countries, countries that many Americans have never even heard of, but sometimes these Peace Corps volunteers are let down by the organization that they gave so much to.

Jennifer Mamola was hit by a drunk driver while serving in Uganda. She was at a bus stop with another volunteer, who was killed by the drunk driver. Jennifer had both of her legs broken.

When she returned home, still bedridden and loaded on pain medication, she faced an uphill battle to get medical treatment and endless bureaucracy from our own government. After months of fighting the system, she was finally approved for medical treatment, only to have her case continuously reopened.

Others tell of their struggle to receive quality medical care and protection while they are abroad in foreign countries.

Sara Thompson suffered for months from terrible nightmares and nausea. When she turned to the Peace Corps doctors, they attributed her symptoms to ``not adjusting well'' in the foreign country.

Not until Sara conducted her own research back in the United States did she realize that the malaria medicine the Peace Corps had prescribed for her was the thing that was making her sick. Her doctors never recognized the symptoms. Sara still suffers from these symptoms and this misdiagnosis and feels that the Peace Corps abandoned her.

Another brave volunteer told me about the sexual harassment she experienced while serving overseas in a foreign country. During broad daylight, men would grope and threaten her as she walked home from school. This harassment went on for months and months. When she reported this to the Peace Corps, the Peace Corps assured her that the men were just joking.

Are you kidding me, Mr. Speaker?

When she could no longer bear the harassment, she returned home, and the Peace Corps recorded her reason for leaving the Peace Corps as ``difficulty adapting to the culture.''

Sexual assault and harassment should never be excused as joking. It should never be brushed off as a cultural norm. And, Mr. Speaker, sexual assault is never the fault of a victim.

As a former judge, I can tell you that it is our duty to do everything within our power to protect these ambassadors, these angels abroad.

The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Enhancement Act of 2018 builds on and extends protections for our volunteers which became law as a result of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011, which I introduced, and it finally became law in 2011.

H.R. 2259 protects volunteers at every stage of their service with the Peace Corps: The onboarding process, their time in-country, and when they return home. During the onboarding process, this bill requires the Peace Corps to provide information on health risks and crimes to volunteers up front so that they can be informed and make a good decision on where to serve. Sometimes Peace Corps volunteers have no idea about the assaults that take place in these foreign countries. Those days will be over.

While they are deployed in the country, this bill requires the Peace Corps to make sure volunteers have access to qualified medical doctors. These doctors must consult with outside experts and the Center for Disease Control on best practices, particularly on mental health and malaria medications.

We also added important provisions on protection from sexual assault and harassment recommended by the Office of Special Counsel in a report that was released by them this year.

H.R. 2259 extends the Sexual Assault Advisory Council for an additional 5 years. It makes the Office of Victims Advocacy permanent. Both of these valuable resources for volunteers who have been assaulted or harassed would have expired this year.

And finally, when volunteers return home from their service with illnesses and injuries that they received overseas, they should not have to spend months dealing with bureaucratic red tape so that they can get medical care. This bill will ensure that they immediately receive the medical care and mental healthcare that they need and deserve.

Peace Corps volunteers, Mr. Speaker, are the face of our country in places where America's shining beacon of hope and liberty has not always shined so bright. They promote goodwill and a better understanding of the United States. This helps to ensure an enduring partnership with our Nation.

But most of all, they do good things. They do good because they are good. They change lives every day in the local communities that they serve; and we, at home, must ensure we are doing all we can to minimize unnecessary dangers for these volunteers. The Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Enhancement Act of 2018 is a crucial step.

So I thank the Speaker for bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill, and the Senate to take it up as soon as possible.

I also would like to thank my staffers, Oren Adaki, Patrick Megahan, and Luke Murry in the Majority Leader's office.

Peace Corps volunteers, Mr. Speaker, are the best that we have in this country, and that is just the way it is.

I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and

Government Reform,

Washington, DC, June 12, 2018.

Hon. Edward R. Royce,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of

Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I write concerning H.R. 2259, the Sam

Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018. This

bill contains provisions within the jurisdiction of the

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. As a result of

your having consulted with me concerning the provisions of

the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to

forgo consideration of the bill, so the bill may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with our mutual

understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 2259 we

do not waive any

jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or

similar legislation, and we will be appropriately consulted

and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward

so we may address any remaining issues within our Rule X

jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the

appointment of conferees from the Committee on Oversight and

Government Reform during any House-Senate conference on this

or related legislation.

Finally, I would appreciate a response confirming this

understanding and ask that a copy of our exchange of letters

on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the

Committee on Foreign Affairs, as well as in the Congressional

Record during floor consideration thereof.

Sincerely,

Trey Gowdy.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, when I travel overseas in foreign countries, I, like many of the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, try to meet with our Peace Corps volunteers. Most of those volunteers are in Third World countries, and I have had the honor to meet with them. They have come down from the mountains in Peru to meet with me and other Members.

One thing is universally true about all of them: They love being a Peace Corps volunteer. They love working in that country and doing things in that country most of us would never do, but they do it because they are good, and they do good.

And when the Peace Corps volunteers came to me first a few years ago about some of the things that were happening in the Peace Corps, they all made it clear to me that, even though these bad things happened to them while they served in the Peace Corps, whether it was being assaulted overseas, lack of medical attention by the Peace Corps, whatever, they all still supported the Peace Corps. They were not bitter about the Peace Corps. They weren't mad at the Peace Corps. Many of them said they would volunteer again if they could.

They are remarkable individuals. They are the best that we have in this country who represent us all over the world doing good things for people.

Of course it helps the United States politically, but, more importantly, it helps these people in these countries to have things that they would never be able to have without these Peace Corps volunteers working with them and helping to make a sanitary environment, helping them to market such things as guinea pigs, as I learned in Peru.

They are remarkable individuals, and I want to make that very clear that the Peace Corps volunteers support making the Peace Corps better, but they support the Peace Corps most of all.

Let me just mention this about Nick Castle. He died while he was in China. He died because he did not get adequate medical attention, medical attention that the United States was responsible for making sure that he got that he did not get, and because of that, he died in- country. So this bill is

named after Nick Castle, and it is named after Sam Farr.

I want to also say again how much I appreciate Joe Kennedy from Massachusetts being the cosponsor of this, him being a Peace Corps volunteer, his family being supportive of the Peace Corps. One of the best things the United States ever did was when John F. Kennedy invented the Peace Corps.

We should continue to send our angels abroad, representing the United States, representing what is good, and we should support them when they are overseas, when they return home, and after they have even left the Peace Corps. Our government should work to help the Peace Corps, not work against the Peace Corps.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy IIID-MA-4 · Jul 10, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the ranking member of the Committee, Mr. Engel, for his advocacy for this legislation, for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee, for the time…

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the ranking member of the Committee, Mr. Engel, for his advocacy for this legislation, for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee, for the time that I spent on that committee as well, and for all of his support for this legislation.

I echo the gratitude toward the chairman of the committee, Mr. Royce, and all that he and his staff did to usher this bill through to this point; of course, my colleague, Mr. Poe, and his team, for the leadership that they have shown on it and all that he has done in order to make sure that this bill has come with the broad bipartisan support that it has. And that, as he says, is just the way it is.

I also want to say I would be remiss not to reference our dear colleague, former colleague, Sam Farr, who, if you asked him what day it was, would respond with a Peace Corps story. This is an act that is close to his heart, an organization that is close to his heart that he spent an awful lot of time dedicating himself to, and I am grateful for the recognition that he deserves, and so many others today.

Mr. Speaker, about 15 years ago, I got off an airplane in Santo Domingo not knowing what to expect, and a couple of weeks later, was welcomed with open arms into a pretty rural community on the side of a highway in the Northern Dominican Republic.

Over the course of the next two-plus years, families that I didn't know, in a language that I barely spoke, accepted

me as one of their own. They cared for me when I was sick. They would literally take half of the food that they had on their plate and scrape it off so that I had a meal to eat. Folks that were making a couple of dollars a day, at best, intermittent electricity, intermittent running water, but whatever they had they were eager to share with me.

And my story and this is not unique. This is told over and over again by the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have had the opportunity to serve our country as Peace Corps volunteers around the globe. You listen to those stories, and they echo from East Timor and the Philippines, through Mongolia and the Far East, to sub-Saharan Africa, across the continent, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Central America.

Over and over again, the stories that you hear, you ask any Peace Corps volunteer, and they believe that they serve, not just are serving the greatest Nation in the world, but they are also in service in one of the greatest nations in the world, and every volunteer says the same thing.

What you also see from those volunteers is this extraordinary generosity of spirit, this dedication to living out the ideals that we hold so dear, that we speak of in this Chamber, about reaching out to others and asking what we can do to help them in service, through our own actions, through the support of the Federal Government behind; what we can do, day by day, step by step to try to make our communities and their communities, our world, a little bit better.

That is what the Peace Corps stands for. That is what has been repeated day after day, volunteer after volunteer, in hundreds of countries around the world at various times and through all of those volunteers and their experiences.

That is why this bill today is so important, for Mr. Speaker, American might can be found on battlefields and military bases, but it is also found by that college graduate who is teaching in a small village in India, or a retiree who is teaching a stranger in Belize how to build a business.

By passing this bill, we can allow current and future Peace Corps volunteers to carry out their important duty while improving their access to care and ensuring their safety and security at home and abroad. Before they even set foot on a plane, volunteers will be made fully informed of the risks that they will face in their country where they have been invited to serve.

And once that jet lag has worn off and the nerves settle down, they have written their first letter home, we will guarantee that these volunteers have the access to well-qualified medical officers and support staff in Peace Corps offices overseas.

In addition, this bill promises to take a number of steps to address and combat instances of sexual assault by reauthorizing the Sexual Assault Advisory Council through 2023, and requiring the Peace Corps to provide information to host families regarding sexual assault prevention awareness.

And because we recognize that tragedies can occur, and that service is not without risks, for any volunteer who returns home with a service-connected disability, this legislation will minimize bureaucratic delay and work to ensure that medical care is received without delay.

Through their selfless and tireless work, Mr. Speaker, Peace Corps volunteers leave a lasting, positive impression in countries all around the world that can endure for generations.

With the bipartisan passage of this bill, we are one step closer to protecting our volunteers serving around the world and ensuring the Peace Corps' influence continues to reach new heights.

I want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Poe, Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel for all their work on this important legislation, and I urge swift passage of H.R. 2259.

Rep. Eliot L. EngelD-NY-16 · Jul 10, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. I would like to begin by thanking Representatives Ted Poe and Joe Kennedy for their hard work…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. I would like to begin by thanking Representatives Ted Poe and Joe Kennedy for their hard work on this legislation. This legislation seeks to enhance the health, safety, and security of Peace Corps volunteers.

Of course we, many of us, served with many of the people who went on to become Congressmen when they were first in the Peace Corps as well, and Sam Farr was one of those people, and I listened to many stories that Sam Farr told about the Peace Corps.

The bill is named in honor of two past Peace Corps volunteers, again, Congressman Sam Farr, who served in Colombia. I have traveled with Sam to Colombia, and his Spanish was impeccable. He was a tireless champion of the Peace Corps during his service in the House.

The bill is also named for Nick Castle, a young volunteer who was passionate about life and about helping other people. In 2013, while on assignment in rural China, Nick fell ill and didn't receive the medical care he needed and, tragically, died, a young man in his twenties.

This legislation before us today would strengthen existing health and safety standards for our Peace Corps volunteers. It would also reauthorize the Sexual Assault Advisory Council that reviews reports of sexual assault involving volunteers, and provides the Peace Corps additional flexibility in retaining certain employees.

Peace Corps volunteers represent the best of America. These selfless men and women live for 2 years, often in remote parts of the world, helping to advance critical priorities, like educating girls, preventing HIV and malaria, environmental conservation, improving agricultural methods, and community economic development.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill that will improve the lives of our Peace Corps volunteers currently serving in 65 countries across the globe. By passing this measure, we honor Sam Farr and Nick Castle and the 230,000 Americans who have served as Peace Corps volunteers over the past 57 years.

I remember when the Peace Corps first came together, when President Kennedy called for a Peace Corps. It has obviously gone on for a long, long time, and has been one of the most successful programs that the United States has had.

So I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (M Kennedy) who, as Mr. Poe mentioned before, is a former Peace Corps volunteer who served in the Dominican Republic.

I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, let me first again say that my colleague and friend, Mr. Poe, is eloquent as usual. I want to single out Mr. Kennedy, whose great uncle, President John F. Kennedy, first established the Peace Corps; and the Kennedy family has also, through the years, been very engaged in making the world a better place, so I appreciate my colleague from Massachusetts for speaking.

Congressman Royce and myself have run this committee in a bipartisan way and, again, I think this bill is typical of good bipartisanship. It is a good bill for the United States.

The Peace Corps shows people around the world America at its best. It shows our values. It shows our generosity. It shows our compassion. Since its inception in 1961, volunteers have engaged in people-to- people diplomacy and community-based development in 141 countries on six continents.

We, in Congress, must do what we can to keep our current volunteers healthy and safe.

So, again, I want to thank Congressman Poe and Congressman Kennedy. I want to also thank Senator Corker and Senator Feinstein for the companion bill in the Senate.

I would also like to especially recognize three staff members, Luke Murry, Oren Adaki, and Janice Kaguyutan--even though I am massacring her last name--for their years of work on Peace Corps issues. We couldn't do this without the good work that our staffs do.

One of the things that I am very proud of on the Foreign Affairs Committee is the bipartisan way in which we work, and the staffs are responsive to everyone on the committee, not just people on their side of the aisle, and I think that shows in the committee, and it shows America at its best and its finest.

The Peace Corps is really important. Peace Corps issues are really important. The agency is undoubtedly a better agency because of the efforts of the people that I just mentioned.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this measure, I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Ted PoeR-TX-2 · May 2, 2017

Mr. Speaker, at the young age of 23, Nick Castle knew he had a higher calling. So directly following his graduation, he headed overseas to China to teach English, volunteering in the Peace Corps.…

Mr. Speaker, at the young age of 23, Nick Castle knew he had a higher calling. So directly following his graduation, he headed overseas to China to teach English, volunteering in the Peace Corps.

Sadly, Nick became seriously ill after becoming an ambassador abroad. He was the victim of an inefficient, underequipped, and unresponsive Peace Corps-led medical team in China.

After he reported that he was ill, he was prescribed a broad antibiotic. Nick quickly began to experience drastic weight loss, but he was reassured he was okay. As the weeks progressed, he was confined to his bed, too ill to even stand up. But his doctor never recommended that he go to the hospital.

After experiencing dangerously low blood pressure, Nick was finally sent to a hospital. As the ambulance made its way to him, it got lost on the winding roads in the remote area of China. Before the ambulance could get Nick to the hospital, he stopped breathing. Nick died a few weeks later in early 2013.

A 2014 Peace Corps Inspector General report found that Nick was the victim of medical negligence. ``Failures and delays in treatment'' were exposed, ultimately leading to Nick's death. Investigations revealed that the Peace Corps medical team misdiagnosed his illness.

This heartbreaking death of a young man serving our country and the world could have been avoided had the Peace Corps staff been properly trained, equipped, and had a responsive team.

Unfortunately, Nick's case is representative of a broader problem: Peace Corps volunteers struggle to access quality medical treatment when they are abroad in remote areas of the world. And when they return to America, then they face a red-taped, bureaucratic nightmare.

They are covered by the Peace Corps for 3 months while they wait on the Department of Labor to determine that their illnesses or injuries are service-related. But the Department often takes much longer than 3 months to make that determination, forcing those Peace Corps volunteers to pay out of pocket for costly medical expenses. When attempting to get medical coverage through the Department of Labor, many are faced with costly personal expenses.

So, Mr. Speaker, Congressman Kennedy and I have sponsored H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act. Sam Farr was a Peace Corps volunteer and a Member of Congress. This act seeks to improve and strengthen the health, safety, and well-being of current and returning Peace Corps volunteers. It requires that Peace Corps volunteers have access to a qualified Peace Corps medical officer and medical facilities while they are at posts overseas. And when those volunteers return home, it extends their Peace Corps coverage for up to 6 months while they wait on the Department of Labor to determine coverage. It enhances access to health care for returning Peace Corps volunteers as well, and it expands and improves provisions of the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act, enhancing the ability to assist and protect volunteers that have experienced sexual assault, among other issues, while in lands across the seas.

Mr. Speaker, Peace Corps volunteers are America's angels abroad. They are some of the best that we have. They are the spirit of humanitarian assistance. They work in remote areas of the world helping others-- areas of the world that many Americans can't find on a map.

So America must make sure to take care of these amazing people when they serve in lands far away so that there are no more deaths like Nick Castle's.

And that is just the way it is.

Rep. Ted PoeR-TX-2 · May 17, 2018

Mr. Speaker, Representative Kennedy and I introduced the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act to protect our Peace Corps volunteers, our angels abroad. This bill builds on and extends protections for…

Mr. Speaker, Representative Kennedy and I introduced the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act to protect our Peace Corps volunteers, our angels abroad.

This bill builds on and extends protections for volunteers that became law as the result of the Kate Puzey Act which I introduced and finally became law in 2011. H.R. 2259 protects volunteers at every stage of their service with the Peace Corps: the onboarding process, their time in country, and when they return home.

Before they make a decision regarding where to serve, many potential volunteers are not fully aware of critical information like health risks and crime rates in various countries. This bill requires the Peace Corps to provide this information to volunteers upfront so that they can make an informed decision regarding where to serve.

While they are deployed in country, the bill requires that the Peace Corps ensures volunteers have access to qualified medical doctors. These doctors must consult with outside experts and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on best practices, particularly on mental health and malaria medications that can

have serious long-term side effects. We also added important provisions on protection from sexual assault and harassment recommended by the Office of Special Counsel report released earlier this year.

When volunteers return home from their service with debilitating injuries and illnesses, they should not have to spend months dealing with bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Labor before receiving care. This bill will ensure they immediately receive the care they need and deserve.

These common sense changes will make a big difference in ensuring the safety and security of our volunteers. But this bill is just a first step in protecting our volunteers.

I fought long and hard for a provision that unfortunately did not make it into the legislation that passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee today: to increase the disability payment provided to disabled returned volunteers so they can make ends meet. This important provision enjoyed broad support from Peace Corps volunteer groups, including Health Justice for Peace Corps and the National Peace Corps Association. I hope that this provision will one day become law. However, until then, the improvements in this bill are essential and valuable for our angels abroad.

A crucial provision that did make it in here was the extension of the authorization of the Sexual Assault Advisory Council for an additional 5 years. The Council was initially authorized by the Kate Puzey Act and serves to advise the Peace Corps on agency wide sexual assault policy. Without this important bill, the council's authority would lapse this year.

Peace Corps volunteers selflessly sacrifice years of their lives to help people they have never even met. Often in some of the most desolate, even dangerous, places of the world. They are the face of our country in places where America's shining beacon of hope and liberty may not always shine so bright. Their service to our country should not turn into a nightmare that ruins, or even ends their lives.

As a former judge, I can tell you that it is our duty to do everything within our power to protect our angels abroad. It's time to stand up and take action for our volunteers. They are some of the very best we have.

And that's just the way it is.

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Rep. Edward R. RoyceR-CA-39 · Jul 10, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act. To serve in the United States Peace Corps is a worthy mission. The Peace Corps promotes…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act.

To serve in the United States Peace Corps is a worthy mission. The Peace Corps promotes cultural understanding and creates strong ties between volunteers and the communities they serve. I've often heard foreign leaders, particularly in Africa, reflect upon their own interactions with volunteers who taught English or helped establish a fishery in their village. And I've seen many returned volunteers become leaders in industry and government at home--including serving here in Congress. This bill is named after one of them, former Representative and returned Peace Corps volunteer Sam Farr.

But serving in the Peace Corps also involves risk. Volunteers are expected to adapt to unfamiliar areas and customs. They may face political instability or crime. And they are exposed to countless infectious and tropical diseases, often without access to reliable care. Too often, we hear stories of Peace Corps volunteers suffering from debilitating illnesses that could have been prevented, falling victim to sexual assault without justice, or even dying. This is why the bill also is named for Nick Castle, a young Peace Corps volunteer who died while serving in China from a completely treatable illness.

The bill before us today strengthens the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Peace Corps by enacting a number of important reforms. It requires disclosures that will enable aspiring volunteers to better understand the risk they will face before they are deployed. The Peace Corps is not for everyone.

This legislation provides assurances to volunteers that qualified medical personnel will be accessible to them while serving overseas and here at home, should they experience a service-related injury or illness. And, importantly, it extends and expands upon a number of the provisions previously included in the Kate Puzey Act, which provides support to volunteers who have been victims of sexual assault.

Earlier this year, the Senate unanimously passed a similar version of the legislation: We have been working closely with the House sponsors, the administration, advocacy groups and our colleagues in the Senate to ensure that this important legislation can be enacted without further delay. I would like to thank the lead sponsor in the House, Judge Poe, for his steadfast commitment throughout this process. I would also like to acknowledge the important work of the Committees on Education and the Workforce and Oversight and Government Reform, without whom we could not consider this bill today.

I urge Members to support this bill.

Rep. John B. LarsonD-CT-1 · Jul 10, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act. This bill will improve the health, security and safety of Peace Corps Volunteers. Our Peace Corps…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2259, the Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act. This bill will improve the health, security and safety of Peace Corps Volunteers. Our Peace Corps Volunteers uphold American values and character abroad. They are often the first impression given to foreign nationals of Americans and put themselves in the most remote areas of the world where managing risk is a daily practice. The Sam Farr Peace Corps Enhancement Act will strengthen a volunteer's ability to effectively serve our country abroad by establishing more institutional protections I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation.

The Peace Corps was created to answer that powerful call from President Kennedy nearly sixty years ago when he stated, ``ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country''. Whether it is the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Conservation Corps, national service is a vital ingredient to a healthy and prosperous nation National service provides vital skills of teamwork, responsibility and the ability to cross cultural and economic lines in societies. No one understood this better than my dear friend and former colleague, Sam Farr who this bill is so aptly named after.

In his twenty-three distinguished years as a Former Congressman from California's 17th District, Sam Farr was often known as ``Mr. Peace Corps''. A former Peace Corps Volunteer himself, serving in Colombia during the early sixties; he was a tireless advocate for the Peace Corps Agency. He understood the importance of the work that the Agency and the volunteers were doing for America in the global arena, and the impact it has on not just the Peace Corps Volunteers, but the friendships and bonds they create in the countries they serve. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and I thank Congressmen Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) for recognizing Congressman Farr, and introducing such an important and bipartisan bill that will truly benefit our volunteers.

Sen. Mike RoundsR-SD · Sep 24, 2018

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 508, H.R. 2259. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time. I…

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One Hundred Fifteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen

H. R. 2259

AN ACT

To amend the Peace Corps Act to expand services and benefits for volunteers, and for other purposes.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Sam Farr and Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018.

(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

Title I—Peace Corps Volunteer Support

Sec. 101. Peace Corps volunteer medical care reform.

Sec. 102. Post-service Peace Corps volunteer medical care reform.

Sec. 103. Peace Corps impact survey.

Sec. 104. Extension of positions for Peace Corps employees.

Title II—Peace Corps Oversight and Accountability

Sec. 201. Peace Corps volunteer access to Inspector General.

Sec. 202. Publication requirement for volunteer surveys.

Sec. 203. Consultation with Congress required before opening or closing overseas offices and country programs.

Title III—Crime Risk Reduction Enhancements

Sec. 301. Independent review of volunteer death.

Sec. 302. Additional disclosures to applicants for enrollment as volunteers.

Sec. 303. Additional protections against sexual misconduct.

Sec. 304. Extension of the office of victim advocacy.

Sec. 305. Reform and extension of the Sexual Assault Advisory Council.

Sec. 306. Definitions.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(B)

the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;

(C)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(D)

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(2)

Director

The term Director means the Director of the Peace Corps.

(3)

Peace corps volunteer

The term Peace Corps volunteer means an individual described in section 5(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)).

Peace Corps Volunteer Support

101.

Peace Corps volunteer medical care reform

(a)

In general

The Peace Corps Act is amended—

(1)

in section 5 (22 U.S.C. 2504)—

(A)

in subsection (e), in the first sentence, by striking receive such immunization and dental care preparatory to their service and inserting receive, preparatory to their service, such immunization, dental care, and information on prescription options and potential interactions, as necessary and appropriate and in accordance with subsection (f);

(B)

by re-designating subsections (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) as subsections (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), and (o);

(C)

by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection—

(f)

The Director of the Peace Corps shall consult with health experts outside the Peace Corps, including experts licensed in the field of mental health, and follow guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the prescription of medications to a volunteer.

; and

(D)

in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by striking section, and and inserting section), and; and

(2)

by inserting after section 5 the following new section:

5A.

Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts

(a)

In general

The President shall ensure that each overseas post has the services of a medical office that is consistent in size and scope with the needs of the Peace Corps at such post, including, if necessary, by detailing to any such post the licensed medical staff of other United States departments, agencies, or establishments.

(b)

Hiring criteria

In selecting medical officers and support staff for overseas Peace Corps posts, the Director of the Peace Corps shall hire well-qualified and capable personnel to support the effectiveness of health care for Peace Corps volunteers by evaluating each candidate’s—

(1)

medical training, experience, and accreditations or other qualifications;

(2)

record of performance;

(3)

administrative capabilities;

(4)

understanding of the local language and culture;

(5)

ability to work in the English language;

(6)

interpersonal skills; and

(7)

such other factors that the Director determines appropriate.

(c)

Certain training

The Director of the Peace Corps shall ensure that each Peace Corps medical officer serving in a malaria-endemic country receives training in the recognition of the side effects of such medications.

(d)

Review and evaluation

(1)

In general

The Director of the Peace Corps, acting through the Associate Director of the Office of Health Services and the country directors, shall review and evaluate the performance and health care delivery of all Peace Corps medical staff, including medical officers, to—

(A)

ensure compliance with all relevant Peace Corps policies, practices, and guidelines; and

(B)

ensure that medical staff complete the necessary continuing medical education to maintain their skills and satisfy licensing and credentialing standards, as designated by the Director.

(2)

Report to Congress

The Director of the Peace Corps shall include, in the annual Peace Corps congressional budget justification, a confirmation that the review and evaluation of all Peace Corps medical staff required under paragraph (1) has been completed.

(e)

Antimalarial drugs

The Director of the Peace Corps shall consult with experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding recommendations for prescribing malaria prophylaxis, in order to provide the best standard of care within the context of the Peace Corps environment.

(b)

Implementation of recommendations by the Inspector General of the Peace Corps

(1)

Inspector general report

As promptly as practicable, the Director shall implement the actions outlined in the agency response for all open recommendations of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps set forth in the report entitled Final Program Evaluation Report: OIG Follow-up Evaluation of Issues Identified in the 2010 Peace Corps/Morocco Assessment of Medical Care (Report No. IG–16–01–E).

(2)

Semiannual reports

(A)

Initial report

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the Director’s strategy for implementing the recommendations referred to in paragraph (1).

(B)

Subsequent reports

Not later than 180 days after the submission of the report required under subparagraph (A), and semiannually thereafter, the Director shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the progress in implementing the recommendations referred to in paragraph (1) until all such recommendations have been implemented in accordance with the agency’s response to the report referred to in such paragraph.

(3)

Notification

After the submission of each report required under paragraph (2), the Inspector General of the Peace Corps may notify the appropriate congressional committees of any recommendations from the report referred to in paragraph (1) that the Inspector General determines remain unresolved.

102.

Post-service peace corps volunteer medical care reform

Section 8142 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(d)

(1)

The Secretary shall authorize the Director of the Peace Corps to furnish medical benefits to a volunteer, who is injured during the volunteer’s period of service, for a period of 120 days following the termination of such service if the Director certifies that the volunteer’s injury probably meets the requirements under subsection (c)(3). The Secretary may then certify vouchers for these expenses for such volunteer out of the Employees’ Compensation Fund.

(2)

The Secretary shall prescribe the form and content of the certification required under paragraph (1).

(3)

A certification under paragraph (1) will cease to be effective if the volunteer sustains compensable disability in connection with volunteer service.

(4)

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize the furnishing of any medical benefit that the Secretary of Labor is not otherwise authorized to reimburse for former Peace Corps volunteers who receive treatment for injury or disease proximately caused by their service in the Peace Corps in accordance with this chapter.

103.

Peace Corps impact survey

(a)

In general

Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act and once every 2 years thereafter for the following 6 years, the Director shall conduct a survey of former Peace Corps volunteers.

(b)

Scope of survey

The survey required under subsection (a) shall assess, with respect to each former Peace Corps volunteer completing the survey, the impact of the Peace Corps on the former volunteer, including the volunteer’s—

(1)

well-being;

(2)

career;

(3)

civic engagement; and

(4)

commitment to public service.

(c)

Report

The Director shall submit a report containing the results of the survey conducted under subsection (a) to—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;

(3)

the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(4)

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

104.

Extension of positions for Peace Corps employees

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:

(8)

(A)

The Director of the Peace Corps may designate Peace Corps positions as critical management or management support positions that require specialized technical or professional skills and knowledge of Peace Corps operations. Such positions may include positions in the following fields:

(i)

Volunteer health services.

(ii)

Financial management.

(iii)

Information technology.

(iv)

Procurement.

(v)

Personnel.

(vi)

Legal services.

(vii)

Safety and security.

(B)

Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), with respect to positions designated pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Director may make or extend renewable appointments or assignments under paragraph (2) notwithstanding limitations under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) and paragraph (5).

(C)

In exercising authority under subparagraph (B), the Director shall ensure that all decisions regarding the appointment, assignment, or extension of employees to any position designated pursuant to subparagraph (A)—

(i)

are consistent with Federal law and Peace Corps policy; and

(ii)

are based upon operational and programmatic factors.

(D)

The term of any appointment or assignment to any position designated pursuant to subparagraph (A) may not exceed 5 years.

Peace Corps Oversight and Accountability

201.

Peace Corps volunteer access to Inspector General

Section 8 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by striking he and inserting the President; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new sentences: As part of the training provided to all volunteers under subsection (a), and in coordination with the Inspector General of the Peace Corps, the President shall provide all volunteers with information regarding the mandate of the Inspector General and the availability (including contact information) of the Inspector General and the Office of Victim Advocacy as a resource for volunteers. The President shall ensure that volunteers receive such information at least once during training that occurs prior to enrollment and at least once during each significant instance of training after enrollment.; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c)

The President shall implement procedures to maintain a record verifying each individual completing training provided to meet each requirement in this section and sections 8A, 8B, 8F, and 8G(b).

202.

Publication requirement for volunteer surveys

Section 8E of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507e) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b), in the first sentence—

(A)

by inserting , ensure that each such plan includes a consideration of the results, with respect to each such representative and the country of service of each such representative, of each survey conducted under subsection (c), after standards for Peace Corps representatives; and

(B)

by striking and shall review and inserting , and review; and

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in the first sentence, by striking 2018 and inserting 2023; and

(B)

in the third sentence, by striking subsection (a) and inserting subsection (b); and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new sentences: The President shall publish, on a publicly available website of the Peace Corps, a report summarizing the results of each survey related to volunteer satisfaction in each country in which volunteers serve, and the early termination rate of volunteers serving in each such country. The information published shall be posted in an easily accessible place near the description of the appropriate country and shall be written in an easily understood manner..

203.

Consultation with Congress required before opening or closing overseas offices and country programs

Section 10 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2509) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(k)

(1)

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Director of the Peace Corps may not open, close, significantly reduce, or suspend a domestic or overseas office or country program unless the Director has notified and consulted with the appropriate congressional committees at least 15 days in advance.

(2)

The Director of the Peace Corps may waive the application of paragraph (1) for a period of not more than 5 days after an action described in such paragraph if the Director determines such action is necessary to ameliorate a substantial security risk to Peace Corps volunteers or other Peace Corps personnel.

(3)

For the purposes of this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

III

Crime Risk Reduction Enhancements

301.

Independent review of volunteer death

Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504), as amended by section 101 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(p)

(1)

Not later than 10 days after receiving notification of the death of a volunteer, the President shall provide a briefing to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps that includes—

(A)

(i)

the available facts and circumstances surrounding the death of the volunteer, including a preliminary timeline of the events immediately preceding the death of the volunteer, subsequent actions taken by the Peace Corps, and any information available to the Peace Corps reflecting on the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer; and

(ii)

a description of any steps the Peace Corps plans to take to inquire further into the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer, including the anticipated date of the completion of such inquiry; or

(B)

an explanation of why the Peace Corps has determined that no further inquiry into the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer is necessary, including—

(i)

a description of the steps the Peace Corps took to determine further inquiry was not necessary; and

(ii)

the basis for such determination.

(2)

If the Peace Corps has performed or engaged another entity to perform a root cause analysis or similar report that describes the cause or root cause of a volunteer death, the President shall provide the Inspector General of the Peace Corps with—

(A)

a copy of all information provided to such entity at the time such information is provided to such entity or used by the Peace Corps to perform the analysis;

(B)

a copy of any report or study received from the entity or used by the Peace Corps to perform the analysis; and

(C)

any supporting documentation upon which the Peace Corps or such entity relied to make its determination, including the volunteer’s complete medical record, as soon as such information is available to the Peace Corps.

(3)

If a volunteer dies, the Peace Corps shall take reasonable measures, in accordance with local laws, to preserve any information or material, in any medium or format, that may be relevant to determining the cause or root cause of the death of the volunteer, including personal effects, medication, and other tangible items belonging to the volunteer, as long as such measures do not interfere with the legal procedures of the host country if the government of the host country is exercising jurisdiction over the investigation of such death. The Inspector General of the Peace Corps shall be provided an opportunity to inspect such items before their final disposition.

(4)

Consistent with the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), the Inspector General of the Peace Corps may independently review the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of a volunteer and the actions taken by the Peace Corps in responding to such incident.

(5)

For the purposes of undertaking a review under this section, an officer or employee of the United States or a member of the Armed Forces may be detailed to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps from another department of the United States Government on a nonreimbursable basis, as jointly agreed to by the Inspector General and the detailing department, for a period not to exceed 1 year. This paragraph may not be construed to limit or modify any other source of authority for reimbursable or nonreimbursable details. A nonreimbursable detail made under this section may not be considered an augmentation of the appropriations of the Peace Corps.

(6)

Upon request, the Peace Corps may make available necessary funds to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps for reviews conducted by the Inspector General under this section. The request shall be limited to costs relating to hiring, procuring, or otherwise obtaining medical-related experts or expert services, and associated travel.

(7)

The undertaking of a review under this section may not be considered a transfer of program operating responsibilities to the Inspector General of the Peace Corps.

302.

Additional disclosures to applicants for enrollment as volunteers

Section 8A of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507a(d)) is amended—

(1)

by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d)

Information regarding crimes and risks

(1)

In general

Each applicant for enrollment as a volunteer shall be provided, with respect to each country in which the applicant may be invited to serve, with specific, aggregated, and easily accessible information regarding crimes against and risks to volunteers, including—

(A)

an overview of past crimes against volunteers in such country, including statistics regarding unreported crime collected through anonymous surveys;

(B)

the current early termination rate of volunteers serving in such country;

(C)

health risks prevalent in such country;

(D)

the nature and frequency of sexual harassment reported by volunteers serving in such country;

(E)

the extent and types of services provided by the Peace Corps to volunteers serving in such country, including access to medical care, counseling services, and assistance from the Office of Victim Advocacy; and

(F)

the level of satisfaction reported by volunteers serving in such country.

(2)

Option to timely decline

Upon receiving information described in paragraph (1), the applicant shall have the option to change the country of consideration and identify a substitute country.

; and

(2)

in subsection (f)(2)(B)(iii), by striking victim advocates and inserting Victim’s Advocates,.

303.

Additional protections against sexual misconduct

Section 8B(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507b(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

by striking SARLs and inserting any employee of the Peace Corps;

(B)

by striking Victim Advocate and inserting Victim’s Advocate; and

(C)

by inserting and require the Peace Corps to designate the staff at each post who shall be responsible for providing the services described in subsection (c) before the semicolon at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (5), by striking and at the end;

(3)

in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(7)

maintains a record documenting the resignation of any employee or volunteer of the Peace Corps who resigns before a determination has been made regarding an alleged violation of the sexual misconduct policy or other serious policy violations;

(8)

takes into account the record maintained under paragraph (7) before such employee or volunteer is hired, enrolled, or otherwise invited to work with the Peace Corps;

(9)

provides orientation or information regarding the awareness and prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment to—

(A)

Peace Corps-selected host families; and

(B)

a designated person of authority at the volunteer’s initial workplace; and

(10)

ensures, to the extent practicable and appropriate, that any assault on, or any harm or injury to, a volunteer that is committed by any member of a host family or any national of a host country that was assigned by the Peace Corps to facilitate volunteer work is—

(A)

documented in an appropriate site history file and in the global tracking and recording system established pursuant to section 8H(c); and

(B)

taken into account with respect to determinations regarding placements of future volunteers at such post and the provision of any funds or other benefit by the Peace Corps.

304.

Extension of the office of victim advocacy

Section 8C of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507c) is amended—

(1)

by striking victim advocate each place it appears and inserting Victim’s Advocate;

(2)

by striking victim advocates each place it occurs and inserting Victim’s Advocates; and

(3)

by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e)

The Director of the Peace Corps shall include the head of the Office of Victim Advocacy in agency-wide policymaking processes in the same manner and to the same extent as the directors or associate directors of other offices within the Peace Corps.

305.

Reform and extension of the Sexual Assault Advisory Council

Section 8D of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2507d) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by striking not less than 8 individuals selected by the President, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and inserting not fewer than 8 and not more than 14 individuals selected by the President; and

(B)

by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: At least one member should be licensed in the field of mental health and have prior experience working as a counselor or therapist providing mental health care to survivors of sexual assault in a victim services agency or organization.; and

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

by inserting and implemented after sexual assault policy developed; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new sentence: To carry out this subsection, the Council may conduct case reviews and is authorized to have access, including through interviews, to current and former volunteers (to the extent that such volunteers provide the Peace Corps express consent to be interviewed by the Council), to volunteer surveys under section 8E, to all data collected from restricted reporting, and to any other information necessary to conduct case reviews, except that the Council may not have access to any personally identifying information associated with such surveys, data, or information.; and

(3)

in subsection (g), by striking 2018 and inserting 2023.

306.

Definitions

Section 26 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2522) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) as paragraphs (1), (6), (2), (3), (8), (7), and (5), respectively, by arranging such redesignated paragraphs in numerical order, and by moving such paragraphs 2 ems to the right;

(2)

in paragraph (1), as redesignated, by striking (1) and inserting the following:

In this Act:

(1)

; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (3), as redesignated, the following:

(4)

The term medical officer means a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or registered nurse with the professional qualifications, expertise, and abilities consistent with the needs of the Peace Corps and the post to which he or she is assigned, as determined by the Director of the Peace Corps.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.