Collapse to view only § 2512. Experts and consultants
- § 2501. Congressional declaration of purpose
- § 2501-1. Independent agency status of Peace Corps
- § 2501a. Voluntary service programs
- § 2502. Presidential authorization; appropriations and financial readjustments
- § 2503. Director and Deputy Director; delegation of functions
- § 2504. Peace Corps volunteers
- § 2504a. Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts
- § 2505. Peace Corps volunteer leaders; number; applicability of chapter; benefits
- § 2506. Peace Corps employees
- § 2507. Training program
- § 2507a. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training
- § 2507b. Sexual assault policy
- § 2507c. Office of Victim Advocacy
- § 2507d. Establishment of Sexual Assault Advisory Council
- § 2507e. Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review
- § 2507f. Establishment of a policy on stalking
- § 2507g. Establishment of a confidentiality protection policy
- § 2507h. Removal and assessment and evaluation
- § 2507i. Reporting requirements
- § 2508. Foreign participants; admission into the United States as nonimmigrants; removal
- § 2509. Presidential powers and authorities
- § 2510. Omitted
- § 2511. Peace Corps National Advisory Council
- § 2512. Experts and consultants
- § 2513. Assignment of personnel to foreign governments or international organizations
- § 2514. Use of funds
- § 2514a. Authorization for Peace Corps to provide separation pay for host country resident personal services contractors of the Peace Corps
- § 2515. Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account
- § 2516. Use of foreign currencies
- § 2517. Activities promoting Americans’ understanding of other peoples
- § 2518. Seal and name
- § 2519. Security investigations
- § 2520. Military training and service exemption
- § 2521. Foreign language proficiency
- § 2521a. Nonpartisan appointments
- § 2522. Definitions
- § 2523. Separability
§ 2501. Congressional declaration of purpose
(a) The Congress of the United States declares that it is the policy of the United States and the purpose of this chapter to promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower, particularly in meeting the basic needs of those living in the poorest areas of such countries, and to help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served and a better understanding of other peoples on the part of the American people.
(b) The Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States and a purpose of the Peace Corps to maintain, to the maximum extent appropriate and consistent with programmatic and fiscal considerations, a volunteer corps of at least 10,000 individuals.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 2, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 95–331, § 2, Aug. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 414; Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1102(a), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 272.)
§ 2501–1. Independent agency status of Peace Corps
Effective on December 29, 1981, the Peace Corps shall be an independent agency within the executive branch and shall not be an agency within the ACTION Agency, the successor to the ACTION Agency, or any other department or agency of the United States.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 2A, as added Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, § 601(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1540; amended Pub. L. 103–82, title IV, § 405(e), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 921.)
§ 2501a. Voluntary service programs
(a) Congressional declaration of policy of encouragement
(b) Limitations on executive activities and use of funds
(1) Activities carried out by the President in furtherance of the purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall be limited to—
(A) furnishing technical assistance, materials, tools, supplies, and training appropriate to the support of volunteer programs in such countries or areas; and
(B) conducting demonstration projects in such countries or areas.
None of the funds made available to carry out the purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of subsection (a) may be used to pay the administrative costs of any program or project, other than a demonstration project, or to assist any program or project of a paramilitary or military nature. Funds allocated for activities set forth in this paragraph should be kept to a minimum so that such allocation will not be detrimental to other Peace Corps programs and activities.
(2) Not more than 2 per centum of the amount appropriated to the Peace Corps for a fiscal year may be used in such fiscal year to carry out the provisions of clause (3) of subsection (a) of this section. Such funds may be contributed to educational institutions, private voluntary organizations, international organizations, and foreign governments or agencies thereof, to pay a fair and proportionate share of the costs of encouraging the development of, and participation in, international voluntary programs and activities.
(c) Compromise of national character
(Pub. L. 87–293, title III, § 301, as added Pub. L. 88–200, § 8, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360; amended Pub. L. 91–99, § 3, Oct. 29, 1969, 83 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 91–352, § 9, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 92–352, title IV, § 402, July 13, 1972, 86 Stat. 495; Pub. L. 95–331, §§ 7, 8(a), Aug. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 415, 416.)
§ 2502. Presidential authorization; appropriations and financial readjustments
(a) Terms and conditions of authorization
(b) Authorization of appropriations
(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this chapter $270,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $298,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $327,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $365,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
(2) Amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year are authorized to remain available for that fiscal year and the subsequent fiscal year.
(c)
(d) Integration of women into national economics
(e), (f) Repealed. Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, § 601(e)(1), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1542
(g) Redesignated (d)
(h) Integration of disabled people
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 3, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 87–442, Apr. 27, 1962, 76 Stat. 62; Pub. L. 88–200, § 1, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 88–285, Mar. 17, 1964, 78 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 89–134, § 1, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 549; Pub. L. 89–572, § 1, Sept. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 764; Pub. L. 90–175, Dec. 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 542; Pub. L. 90–362, June 27, 1968, 82 Stat. 250; Pub. L. 91–99, § 1, Oct. 29, 1969, 83 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 91–352, § 1, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 92–135, Oct. 8, 1971, 85 Stat. 376; Pub. L. 92–352, title IV, § 401, July 13, 1972, 86 Stat. 495; Pub. L. 93–49, § 1, June 25, 1973, 87 Stat. 99; Pub. L. 93–302, §§ 1, 2, June 1, 1974, 88 Stat. 191; Pub. L. 94–130, §§ 1–3, Nov. 14, 1975, 89 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 94–281, §§ 1, 2, May 7, 1976, 90 Stat. 458; Pub. L. 95–102, §§ 1, 2, Aug. 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 841; Pub. L. 95–331, § 3, Aug. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 414; Pub. L. 96–53, title III, § 301, Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 370; Pub. L. 96–533, title VI, § 601(a), (b), Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, §§ 601(e)(1), 602, 603, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1542; Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1101, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 272; Pub. L. 99–399, title XIII, § 1301, Aug. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 897; Pub. L. 102–565, § 1, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4265; Pub. L. 106–30, § 1, May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 55.)
§ 2503. Director and Deputy Director; delegation of functions
(a) Appointment
(b) Exercise of functions by Director
(c) Powers and functions of Secretary of State; coordination of activities; responsibility for supervision and direction of programs
(1) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to infringe upon the powers or functions of the Secretary of State.
(2) The President shall prescribe appropriate procedures to assure coordination of Peace Corps activities with other activities of the United States Government in each country, under the leadership of the chief of the United States diplomatic mission.
(3) Under the direction of the President, the Secretary of State shall be responsible for the continuous supervision and general direction of the programs authorized by this chapter, to the end that such programs are effectively integrated both at home and abroad and the foreign policy of the United States is best served thereby.
(4) The Director of the Peace Corps may prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to assure that no individual performing service for the Peace Corps under any authority contained in this chapter shall engage in any activity determined by the Director to be detrimental to the best interests of the United States.
(d) Prohibition on performance of services more usefully performed by other agencies
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 4, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 612; Pub. L. 88–426, title III, § 305(27), Aug. 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 426; Pub. L. 91–352, § 2, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, § 601(d)(1), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1541.)
§ 2504. Peace Corps volunteers
(a) Persons eligible; terms and conditions of service; Federal employee status; racial, sex, religious, or color discrimination
(b) Living allowances, travel, leave and related items; transfers of supplies and equipment
(c) Readjustment allowances
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 661
(e) Health care
(f) Prescription of medications
(g) Retirement and other credits based upon length of service
(1) Any period of satisfactory service of a volunteer under this chapter shall be credited in connection with subsequent employment in the same manner as a like period of civilian employment by the United States Government—
(A) for the purposes of section 816(a) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 4056(a)] and every other Act establishing a retirement system for civilian employees of any United States Government agency; and
(B) except as otherwise determined by the President, for the purposes of determining seniority, reduction in force, and layoff rights, leave entitlement, and other rights and privileges based upon length of service under the laws administered by the Office of Personnel Management, the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.], and every other Act establishing or governing terms and conditions of service of civilian employees of the United States Government: Provided, That service of a volunteer shall not be credited toward completion of any probationary or trial period or completion of any service requirement for career appointment.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, volunteers and volunteer leaders shall be deemed to be receiving compensation during their service at the respective rates of readjustment allowances payable under subsection (c) and section 2505(1) of this title.
(h) Assignment to other entities
(i) Tort claims; absentee voting; general average contributions for transportation of baggage; check cashing and currency exchange; claims for overpayment of pay; passport fees
(j) Termination of service
(k) Oath of office
(l) Counseling programs for returned volunteers
(m) Legal expenses of defendant in judicial or administrative proceedings
(n) Allowances and expenses of minor childrenThe minor children of a volunteer living with the volunteer may receive—
(1) such living, travel, education, and leave allowances, such housing, transportation, subsistence, and essential special items of clothing as the President may determine;
(2) such health care, including health care following the volunteer’s service for illness or injury incurred during such service, and health and accident insurance, as the President may determine and upon such terms as he may determine, including health care in any facility referred to in subsection (e) of this section, subject to such conditions as the President may prescribe and subject to reimbursement of appropriations as provided in such subsection (e);
(3) such orientation, language, and other training necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter as the President may determine; and
(4) the benefits of subsection (l) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this section on the same basis as volunteers.(o) Moving expenses
(p) Independent review of volunteer death
(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.),1 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.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 5, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 613; Pub. L. 88–200, § 2, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 89–134, § 2, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 549; Pub. L. 89–554, § 8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 661, 662; Pub. L. 89–572, § 2(a), Sept. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 91–99, § 2, Oct. 29, 1969, 83 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 91–352, § 3, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 464; Pub. L. 94–130, §§ 4, 6, Nov. 14, 1975, 89 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 95–331, § 4, Aug. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 414; Pub. L. 96–465, title II, § 2202(a), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2157; Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, §§ 604(b), 606, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1543; Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1105(b), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 276; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 105–12, § 9(j), Apr. 30, 1997, 111 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 106–30, § 2(b)(1)–(3), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 55; Pub. L. 112–57, §§ 3, 8(a)(1), (b), Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 744, 745; Pub. L. 115–256, title I, § 101(a)(1), title III, § 301, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3651, 3655.)
§ 2504a. Health care for volunteers at Peace Corps posts
(a) In general
(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
(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
(e) Antimalarial drugs
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 5A, as added Pub. L. 115–256, title I, § 101(a)(2), Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3651.)
§ 2505. Peace Corps volunteer leaders; number; applicability of chapter; benefits
The President may enroll in the Peace Corps qualified citizens or nationals of the United States whose services are required for supervisory or other special duties or responsibilities in connection with programs under this chapter (referred to in this chapter as “volunteer leaders”). The ratio of the total number of volunteer leaders to the total number of volunteers in service at any one time shall not exceed one to twenty-five. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all of the provisions of this chapter applicable to volunteers shall be applicable to volunteer leaders, and the term “volunteers” shall include “volunteer leaders”: Provided, however, That—
(1) volunteer leaders shall be entitled to receive a readjustment allowance at a rate not less than $125 for each month of satisfactory service as determined by the President;
(2) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders may receive such living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing, transportation, subsistence, and essential special items of clothing, as the President may determine, but the authority contained in this paragraph shall be exercised only under exceptional circumstances;
(3) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders accompanying them may receive such health care as the President may determine and upon such terms as he may determine, including health care in any facility referred to in section 2504(e) of this title, subject to such conditions as the President may prescribe and subject to reimbursement of appropriations as provided in section 2504(e) of this title; and
(4) spouses and minor children of volunteer leaders accompanying them may receive such orientation, language, and other training necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter as the President may determine.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 6, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 615; Pub. L. 88–200, § 3, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360; Pub. L. 89–134, § 3, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 549; Pub. L. 91–352, § 4, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 97–387, § 1(a), Dec. 23, 1982, 96 Stat. 1947.)
§ 2506. Peace Corps employees
(a) Foreign employment; compensation, allowances, and benefits; utilization of Presidential authority respecting Foreign Service; additional compensation and differentials; additional governmental employment by person receiving Foreign Service Reserve or staff appointment or assignment; limitation on length of employment
(1) For the purpose of performing functions under this chapter outside the United States, the President may employ or assign persons, or authorize the employment or assignment of officers or employees of agencies of the United States Government which are not authorized to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system, who shall receive compensation at any of the rates established under section 402 or 403 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 3962, 3963], together with allowances and benefits thereunder; and persons so employed or assigned shall be entitled, except to the extent that the President may specify otherwise in cases in which the period of the employment or assignment exceeds thirty months, to the same benefits as are provided by section 310 of that Act [22 U.S.C. 3950] for persons appointed to the Foreign Service.
(2) The President may utilize such authority contained in the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.] relating to members of the Foreign Service and other United States Government officers and employees as the President deems necessary to carry out functions under this chapter, except that—
(A) no Foreign Service appointment or assignment under this paragraph shall be for a period of more than seven and one-half years, subject to paragraph (5) and except as provided in paragraph (6); and
(B) no individual whose Foreign Service appointment or assignment under this paragraph has been terminated shall be reappointed or reassigned under this paragraph before the expiration of a period of time equal to the preceding tour of duty of that individual.
Subparagraphs (A) and (B) do not apply with respect to foreign national employees. Such provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.] (other than the provisions of section 309 [22 U.S.C. 3949]) as the President deems appropriate shall apply to individuals appointed or assigned under this paragraph, including in all cases, the provisions of section 310 of that Act [22 U.S.C. 3950], except that (i) the President may by regulation make exceptions to the application of section 310 [22 U.S.C. 3950] in cases in which the period of the appointment or assignment exceeds thirty months, (ii) members of the Foreign Service appointed or assigned pursuant to this paragraph shall receive within-class salary increases in accordance with such regulations as the President may prescribe, and (iii) under such regulations as the President may prescribe, individuals who are to perform duties of a more routine nature than are generally performed by members of the Foreign Service assigned to class 9 in the Foreign Service Schedule may be appointed to an unenumerated class ranking below class 9 in the Foreign Service Schedule and be paid basic compensation at rates lower than those for class 9, except that such rates may be no less than the then applicable minimum wage rate specified in section 206(a)(1) of title 29.
(3) The President may specify what additional allowance authorized by section 5941 of title 5 and which of the allowances and differentials authorized by sections 5923 through 5925 of such title 5, may be granted to any person employed, appointed, or assigned under this subsection, or contracted with for personal services under section 2509(a)(5) of this title, and may determine the rates thereof not to exceed the rates otherwise granted to employees under the sections of title 5 referred to in this paragraph.
(4) An individual who has received an appointment or assignment in the Foreign Service under this subsection may, not later than September 30, 1982, or three years after separation from such appointment or assignment, whichever is later, be appointed to a position in any United States department, agency, or establishment—
(A) in the competitive service under title 5 without competitive examination and in accordance with such regulations and conditions consistent with this subsection as may be prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, or
(B) in an established merit system in the excepted service,
if such individual (i) served satisfactorily under the authority of this subsection, as certified by the President, for not less than thirty-six months on a continuous basis without a break in service of more than three days, and (ii) is qualified for the position in question.
(5) Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Director of the Peace Corps may make appointments or assignments of United States citizens under paragraph (2) for periods of more than five years only in the case of individuals whose performance as employees of the Peace Corps has been exceptional and only in order to achieve one or more of the following purposes:
(A) To permit individuals who have served at least two and one-half years of such an appointment or assignment abroad to serve in the United States thereafter.
(B) To permit individuals who have served at least two and one-half years of such an appointment or assignment in the United States to serve abroad thereafter.
(C) To permit individuals who have served at least two and one-half years of such an appointment or assignment in a recruitment, selection, or training activity to be reassigned to an activity other than the one in which they have most recently so served.
(D) To promote the continuity of functions in administering the Peace Corps.
At no time may the number of appointments or assignments of United States citizens in effect under paragraph (2) for periods in excess of five years exceed fifteen percent of the total of all appointments and assignments of United States citizens then in effect under paragraph (2).
(6) Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in paragraph (2)(A) on the length of an appointment or assignment under paragraph (2) and notwithstanding the limitations set forth in paragraph (5) on the circumstances under which such an appointment or assignment may exceed five years, the Director of the Peace Corps, under special circumstances, may personally approve an extension of an appointment or assignment under paragraph (2) for not more than one year on an individual basis.
(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.
(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.
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–465, title II, § 2205(9), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2160
(c) Peace Corps representatives; terms and conditions of service; removal
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 7, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 615; Pub. L. 87–793, § 1001(l), Oct. 11, 1962, 76 Stat. 865; Pub. L. 88–200, § 4, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360; Pub. L. 89–134, § 4, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 549; Pub. L. 91–352, § 5, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465;
§ 2507. Training program
(a) Applicants for enrollment and enrolled volunteers
(b) Citizen trainees for voluntary programs; foreign nationals as trainees; advances of funds or reimbursement basis; use of credits
(c) Training records
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 616; Pub. L. 102–511, title IX, § 904, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3356; Pub. L. 112–57, § 8(a)(2), Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 745; Pub. L. 115–256, title II, § 201, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3654.)
§ 2507a. Sexual assault risk-reduction and response training
(a) In general
(b) Development and consultation with experts
(c) Subsequent training
(d) Information regarding crimes and risks
(1) In generalEach 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
(e) Contact informationThe President shall provide each applicant, before the applicant enrolls as a volunteer, with—
(1) the contact information of the Inspector General of the Peace Corps for purposes of reporting sexual assault mismanagement or any other mismanagement, misconduct, wrongdoing, 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) DefinitionsIn this section and sections 2507b through 2507g of this title:
(1) Personally identifying informationThe term “personally identifying information” means individually identifying 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 subparagraphs (A) through (D), would serve to identify the victim.
(2) Restricted reporting
(A) In general
(B) ExceptionsIn cases in which volunteers elect restricted reporting, disclosure of their personally identifying 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 prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person.
(iii) SARLs, Victim’s Advocates, or healthcare providers when required for the provision of victim services.
(iv) State and Federal courts when ordered, or if disclosure is required by Federal or State statute.
(C) Notice of disclosure and privacy protectionIn 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
(4) StalkingThe 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.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8A, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 736; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 302, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3656.)
§ 2507b. Sexual assault policy
(a) In generalThe 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 any employee of the Peace Corps to immediately contact a Victim’s Advocate upon receiving a report of sexual assault in accordance with the restricted and unrestricted reporting guidelines promulgated by the Peace Corps and require the Peace Corps to designate the staff at each post who shall be responsible for providing the services described in subsection (c);
(4) to the extent practicable, conforms to best practices in the sexual assault field;
(5) is applicable to all posts at which volunteers serve;
(6) includes a guarantee that volunteers will not suffer loss of living allowances for reporting a sexual assault;
(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 2507h(c) of this title; 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.
(b) Development and consultation with experts
(c) ElementsThe sexual assault policy developed under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following services with respect to a volunteer who has been a victim of sexual assault:
(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 representation.
(d) Training
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8B, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 738; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 303, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3657.)
§ 2507c. Office of Victim Advocacy
(a) Establishment of Office of Victims 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “Victim”.
Advocacy(1) In general
(2) Prohibition
(3) Exemption
(b) Responsibilities
(1) Victims of sexual assault
(2) Other crimes
(3) Priority
(c) Status updates
(d) Transition
(e) Policymaking
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8C, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 739; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 304, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3658.)
§ 2507d. Establishment of Sexual Assault Advisory Council
(a) Establishment
(b) Membership
(c) Functions; meetings
(d) Reports
(e) Employee status
(f) Nonapplicability of chapter 10 of title 5
(g) Sunset
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8D, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 740; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 305, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3658; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(168), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4324.)
§ 2507e. Volunteer feedback and Peace Corps review
(a) Monitoring and evaluation
(b) Performance plans and elements
(c) Annual volunteer surveys
(d) Peace Corps Inspector GeneralThe 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 Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives—
(A) a report, not later than one year after November 21, 2011, and biennially through September 30, 2018, on reports received from volunteers relating to misconduct, mismanagement, or policy violations of Peace Corps staff, any breaches of the confidentiality 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 November 21, 2011, evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of the sexual assault risk-reduction and response training developed under section 2507a of this title and the sexual assault policy developed under section 2507b of this title, including a case review of a statistically significant number of cases; and
(C) a report, not later than two years after November 21, 2011, describing how Peace Corps representatives are hired, how Peace Corps representatives are terminated, and how Peace Corps representatives hire staff, including an assessment of the implementation of the performance plans described in subsection (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 generalThe 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 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 volunteers.
(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 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “Corps’ ”.
mission and strategic priorities.(2) Briefing
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8E, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 740; amended Pub. L. 115–256, title II, § 202, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3654.)
§ 2507f. Establishment of a policy on stalking
(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
(c) Training of in-country staff
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8F, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 742.)
§ 2507g. Establishment of a confidentiality protection policy
(a) In general
(b) Guidance
(c) Penalty
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8G, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 742.)
§ 2507h. Removal and assessment and evaluation
(a) In general
(b) Determination of site as unsafe
(c) Tracking and recording
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8H, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 743.)
§ 2507i. Reporting requirements
(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 Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report summarizing information 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
(c) Access to communications
(1) In general
(2) Report
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 8I, as added Pub. L. 112–57, § 2, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 743.)
§ 2508. Foreign participants; admission into the United States as nonimmigrants; removal
In order to provide for assistance by foreign nationals in the training of volunteers, and to permit effective implementation of Peace Corps projects with due regard for the desirability of cost-sharing arrangements, where appropriate, the President may make provision for transportation, housing, subsistence, or per diem in lieu thereof, and health care or health and accident insurance for foreign nationals engaged in activities authorized by this chapter while they are away from their homes, without regard to the provisions of any other law: Provided, however, That per diem in lieu of subsistence furnished to such persons shall not be at rates higher than those prescribed by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 2679 of title 22. Such persons, and persons coming to the United States under contract pursuant to section 2509(a)(5) of this title, may be admitted to the United States, if otherwise qualified, as nonimmigrants under section 1101(a)(15) of title 8 for such time and under such conditions as may be prescribed by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. A person admitted under this section who fails to maintain the status under which he was admitted or who fails to depart from the United States at the expiration of the time for which he was admitted, or who engages in activities of a political nature detrimental to the interests of the United States, or in activities not consistent with the security of the United States, shall, upon the warrant of the Attorney General, be taken into custody and promptly removed pursuant to chapter 4 of title II of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.] 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a period and “Removal”.
proceedings under this section shall be summary and the findings of the Attorney General as to matters of fact shall be conclusive.(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 9, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, § 605(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1543; Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(18), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–621.)
§ 2509. Presidential powers and authorities
(a) Contract authority; assignment of volunteers; acceptance of voluntary services and gifts and transfers of property; personal service contractsIn furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the President may—
(1) enter into, perform, and modify contracts and agreements and otherwise cooperate with any agency of the United States Government or of any State or any subdivision thereof, other governments and departments and agencies thereof, and educational institutions, voluntary agencies, farm organizations, labor unions, and other organizations, individuals and firms;
(2) assign volunteers in special cases to temporary duty with international organizations and agencies when the Secretary of State determines that such assignment would serve the purposes of this chapter;
(3) assign volunteers to duty or otherwise make them available to any entity referred to in paragraph (1), in order to assist such organizations and agencies in providing development or other relief assistance to displaced persons and refugees in any country, if the government of the country agrees to such assignment;
(4) accept in the name of the Peace Corps and employ or transfer in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter (A) voluntary services notwithstanding the provisions of section 1342 of title 31, and (B) any money or property (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible) received by gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise; and
(5) contract with individuals for personal services abroad, and with aliens (abroad or within the United States) for personal services within the United States: Provided, That no such person shall be deemed an officer or employee or otherwise in the service or employment of the United States Government for the purposes of any law administered 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.)).
(b) Claim settlements
(c) Five-year contract authority
(d) Waiver of certain Federal laws
(e) Allocation of funds
(f) Utilization of other Government agency services and facilities
(g) Reimbursement for commodities, services, and facilities
(h) Hospitalization and medical treatment for Foreign Service local employees
(i) Procurement of legal services
(j) Malpractice protection
(k) Opening or closing overseas offices and country programs
(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.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 10, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 88–200, § 5, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360; Pub. L. 89–134, § 6, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 551; Pub. L. 89–572, § 6, Sept. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 93–49, § 2, June 25, 1973, 87 Stat. 99; Pub. L. 95–331, § 5(a), (c), Aug. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 414, 415; Pub. L. 97–113, title VI, § 604(a), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1543; Pub. L. 103–236, title VI, § 602, Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 491; Pub. L. 106–30, § 2(b)(4), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 56; Pub. L. 112–57, § 5(2), Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 744; Pub. L. 115–256, title II, § 203, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3655.)
§ 2510. Omitted
§ 2511. Peace Corps National Advisory Council
(a) Establishment
(b) Functions
(1) The Council shall advise and consult with the President and the Director of the Peace Corps with regard to policies and programs designed to further the purposes of this chapter and shall, as the Council considers appropriate, periodically report to the Congress with regard to the Peace Corps.
(2) Members of the Council shall (subject to subsection (d)(1)) conduct on-site inspections, and make examinations, of the activities of the Peace Corps in the United States and in other countries in order to—
(A) evaluate the accomplishments of the Peace Corps;
(B) assess the potential capabilities and the future role of the Peace Corps;
(C) make recommendations to the President, the Director of the Peace Corps, and, as the Council considers appropriate, the Congress, for the purpose of guiding the future direction of the Peace Corps and of helping to ensure that the purposes and programs of the Peace Corps are carried out in ways that are economical, efficient, responsive to changing needs in developing countries and to changing relationships among people, and in accordance with law; and
(D) make such other evaluations, assessments, and recommendations as the Council considers appropriate.
(3) The Council may provide for public participation in its activities.
(c) Membership
(1) Persons appointed as members of the Council shall be broadly representative of the general public, including educational institutions, private volunteer agencies, private industry, farm organizations, labor unions, different regions of the United States, different educational, economic, racial, and national backgrounds and age groupings, and both sexes.
(2)
(A) The Council shall consist of fifteen voting members who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. At least seven of such members shall be former Peace Corps volunteers, and not more than eight of such members shall be members of the same political party.
(B) The first appointments of members of the Council under this paragraph shall be made not more than sixty days after August 8, 1985, and, solely for purposes of determining the expiration of their terms, shall be deemed to take effect on the sixtieth day after August 8, 1985.
(C) No member appointed under this paragraph may be an officer or employee of the United States Government.
(D) Of the members initially appointed under this paragraph, eight shall be appointed to 1-year terms and seven shall be appointed to 2-year terms. Thereafter, all appointed members shall be appointed to 2-year terms.
(E) A member of the Council appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
(F) No member of the Council may serve for more than two consecutive 2-year terms.
(G) Members of the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the President.
(H) An appointed member of the Council may be removed by a vote of nine members for malfeasance in office, for persistent neglect of or inability to discharge duties, or for offenses involving moral turpitude, and for no other cause.
(I) Within thirty days after any vacancy occurs in the office of an appointed member of the Council, the President shall nominate an individual to fill the vacancy.
(3) In addition to the voting members of the Council, the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, or their designees, and the Director and Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, shall be non-voting members, ex officio, of the Council.
(d) Compensation
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the Council who is not an officer or employee of the United States Government—
(A) shall be paid compensation out of funds made available for the purposes of this chapter at the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties as a Council member, and
(B) while away from his or her home or regular place of business on necessary travel, as determined by the Director of the Peace Corps, in the actual performance of duties as a Council member, shall be paid per diem, travel, and transportation expenses in the same manner as is provided under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5.
(2) A member of the Council may not be paid compensation under paragraph (1)(A) for more than twenty days in any calendar year.
(e) Quorum
(f) Financial interests of members
(g) Chair and Vice Chair
(h) Meetings, bylaws, and regulations
(1) The Council shall hold a regular meeting during each calendar quarter and shall meet at the call of the President, the Director of the Peace Corps, the Council’s Chair, or one-fourth of its members.
(2) The Council shall prescribe such bylaws and regulations as it considers necessary to carry out its functions. Such bylaws and regulations shall include procedures for fixing the time and place of meetings, giving or waiving of notice of meetings, and keeping of minutes of meetings.
(i) Reports to the President and the Director
(j) Administrative assistance
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 12, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1104(a), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 273.)
§ 2512. Experts and consultants
(a) Employment; compensation, travel expenses and per diem; renewal of contracts
(b) Exemption from restrictions upon receipt of retirement benefits
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 13, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 619; Pub. L. 88–200, § 6, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360; Pub. L. 88–448, title IV, § 401(c), Aug. 19, 1964, 78 Stat. 490; Pub. L. 91–352, § 6, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 96–465, title II, § 2202(c), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2158; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(i)(9), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1229.)
§ 2513. Assignment of personnel to foreign governments or international organizations
(a) Authority; oath of allegiance
(b) Benefits of detailed personnel
(c) Reimbursement provisions
Details or assignments may be made under this section—
(1) without reimbursement to the United States Government by the international organization or foreign government;
(2) upon agreement by the international organization or foreign government to reimburse the United States Government for compensation, travel expenses, and allowances, or any part thereof, payable to such officer or employee during the period of assignment or detail in accordance with subsection (b) of this section; and such reimbursement shall be credited to the appropriation, fund, or account utilized for paying such compensation, travel expenses, or allowances, or to the appropriation, fund, or account currently available for such purpose; or
(3) upon an advance of funds, property or services to the United States Government accepted with the approval of the President for specified uses in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter; and funds so advanced may be established as a separate fund in the Treasury of the United States Government, to be available for the specified uses, and to be used for reimbursement of appropriations or direct expenditure subject to the provisions of this chapter, any unexpended balance of such account to be returned to the foreign government or international organization.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 14, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 620; Pub. L. 91–352, § 7, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 96–465, title II, § 2202(d), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2158.)
§ 2514. Use of funds
(a) Administrative and other expenses
(b) Travel expenses abroad; transportation of personal effects, household goods and automobiles; storage
(c) Costs of training personnel employed or assigned overseas
(d) Payment of expenses
Funds available for the purposes of this chapter shall be available for—
(1) rent of buildings and space in buildings in the United States, and for repair, alteration, and improvement of such leased properties;
(2) expenses of attendance at meetings concerned with the purposes of this chapter, including (notwithstanding the provisions of section 1346 of title 31) expenses in connection with meetings of persons whose employment is authorized by section 2512(a) of this title;
(3) rental and hire of aircraft;
(4) purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles: Provided, That, except as may otherwise be provided in an appropriation or other Act, passenger motor vehicles for administrative purposes abroad may be purchased for replacement only, and such vehicles may be exchanged or sold and replaced by an equal number of such vehicles, and the cost, including exchange allowance, of each such replacement shall not exceed the applicable cost limitation described in section 2396(a)(5) of this title in the case of an automobile for any Peace Corps country representative appointed under section 2506(c) of this title: Provided further, That the provisions of section 1343 of title 31 shall not apply to the purchase of vehicles for the transportation, maintenance, or direct support of volunteers overseas: Provided further, That passenger motor vehicles may be purchased for use in the United States only as may be specifically provided in an appropriation or other Act;
(5) entertainment (not to exceed $5,000 in any fiscal year except as may otherwise be provided in an appropriation or other Act);
(6) exchange of funds and loss by exchange;
(7) expenditures (not to exceed $20,000 in any fiscal year except as may be otherwise provided in an appropriation or other Act) not otherwise authorized by law to meet unforeseen emergencies or contingencies arising in the Peace Corps: Provided, That a certificate of the amount only of each such expenditure and that such expenditure was necessary to meet an unforeseen emergency or contingency, made by the Director of the Peace Corps or his designee, shall be deemed a sufficient voucher for the amount therein specified;
(8) insurance of official motor vehicles acquired for use abroad;
(9) rent or lease abroad for not to exceed five years of offices, health facilities, buildings, grounds, and living quarters, and payments therefor in advance; maintenance, furnishings, necessary repairs, improvements, and alterations to properties owned or rented by the United States Government or made available for its use abroad; and costs of fuel, water, and utilities for such properties;
(10) expenses of preparing and transporting to their former homes, or, with respect to foreign participants engaged in activities under this chapter, to their former homes or places of burial, and of care and disposition of, the remains of persons or members of the families of persons who may die while such persons are away from their homes participating in activities under this chapter;
(11) use in accordance with authorities of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.), not otherwise provided for;
(12) ice and drinking water for use abroad; and
(13) the transportation of Peace Corps employees, Peace Corps volunteers, dependents of such employees and volunteers, and accompanying baggage, by a foreign air carrier when the transportation is between two places outside the United States without regard to section 40118 of title 49.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 15, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 621; Pub. L. 89–134, § 7, Aug. 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 551; Pub. L. 89–572, § 3, Sept. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 96–465, title II, § 2202(e), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2158; Pub. L. 96–533, title VI, § 601(c), Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(e) [title II, § 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–131, 1329–145; Pub. L. 106–30, § 2(a), (b)(5)–(8), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 55, 56.)
§ 2514a. Authorization for Peace Corps to provide separation pay for host country resident personal services contractors of the Peace Corps
(a) Establishment of fund
(b) Funding
The Director of the Peace Corps may deposit in the fund established under subsection (a)—
(1) amounts previously obligated and not canceled to provide the separation pay described in such subsection; and
(2) amounts obligated for fiscal years after fiscal year 2006 for current and future costs of providing such separation pay.
(c) Availability
(Pub. L. 110–86, § 1, Sept. 27, 2007, 121 Stat. 979.)
§ 2515. Foreign Currency Fluctuations Account
(a) Establishment
(1) There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the “Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Peace Corps, Account”. The account shall be used for the purpose of providing funds to pay expenses for operations of the Peace Corps outside the United States which, as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, exceed the amount appropriated for such expenses.
(2) Funds in the account may be transferred, upon the certification of the Director of the Peace Corps (or the Director’s designee) that the transfer is necessary for the purpose specified in paragraph (1), to the account containing funds appropriated for the expenses of the Peace Corps.
(b) Use of funds in account
(c) Exchange rates applicable to obligations
(d) Transfers back to account
Funds transferred from the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Peace Corps, Account may be transferred back to that account—
(1) if the funds are not needed to pay obligations incurred because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates of foreign countries in the appropriation to which the funds were originally transferred; or
(2) because of subsequent favorable fluctuations in the rates or because other funds are, or become, available to pay such obligations.
(e) Limitation on transfers back
(f) Transfers to account from regular appropriations
(1) At the end of the fiscal year or other period for which appropriations for the expenses of the Peace Corps are made available, unobligated balances of such appropriation may be transferred into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Peace Corps, Account, to be merged with, and to be available for the same period and purposes as, that account.
(2) The authority of this subsection shall be exercised only to the extent that specific amounts are provided in advance in an appropriation Act.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
(h) Reports
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 16, as added Pub. L. 102–565, § 2(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4265.)
§ 2516. Use of foreign currencies
Whenever possible, expenditures incurred in carrying out functions under this chapter shall be paid for in such currency of the country or area where the expense is incurred as may be available to the United States.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 17, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 623.)
§ 2517. Activities promoting Americans’ understanding of other peoples
In order to further the goal of the Peace Corps, as set forth in section 2501 of this title, relating to the promotion of a better understanding of other peoples on the part of the American people, the Director, utilizing the authorities under section 2509(a)(1) of this title and other provisions of law, shall, as appropriate, encourage, facilitate, and assist activities carried out by former volunteers in furtherance of such goal and the efforts of agencies, organizations, and other individuals to support or assist in former volunteers’ carrying out such activities.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 18, as added Pub. L. 100–202, § 101(e) [title II, § 201], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–131, 1329–145.)
§ 2518. Seal and name
(a) Judicial notice
(b) Exclusiveness of use; penalties for violations; injunctions
(1) The use of the official seal or emblem and the use of the name “Peace Corps” shall be restricted exclusively to designate programs authorized under this chapter.
(2) Whoever, whether an individual, partnership, corporation, or association, uses the seal for which provision is made in this section, or any sign, insignia, or symbol in colorable imitation thereof, or the words “Peace Corps” or any combination of these or other words or characters in colorable imitation thereof, other than to designate programs authorized under this chapter, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. A violation of this subsection may be enjoined at the suit of the Attorney General, United States attorneys, or other persons duly authorized to represent the United States.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 19, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 623; Pub. L. 88–200, § 7, Dec. 13, 1963, 77 Stat. 360.)
§ 2519. Security investigations
All persons employed or assigned to duties under this chapter shall be investigated to insure that the employment or assignment is consistent with the national interest in accordance with standards and procedures established by the President. If an investigation made pursuant to this section develops any data reflecting that the person who is the subject of the investigation is of questionable loyalty or is a questionable security risk, the investigating agency shall refer the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the conduct of a full field investigation. The results of that full field investigation shall be furnished to the initial investigating agency, and to the agency by which the subject person is employed, for information and appropriate action. Volunteers shall be deemed employees of the United States Government for the purpose of this section.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 22, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 624.)
§ 2520. Military training and service exemption
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or regulation, service in the Peace Corps as a volunteer shall not in any way exempt such volunteer from the performance of any obligations or duties under the provisions of the Universal Military Training and Service Act [50 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 23, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 624.)
§ 2521. Foreign language proficiency
No person shall be assigned to duty as a volunteer under this chapter in any foreign country or area unless at the time of such assignment he possesses such reasonable proficiency as his assignment requires in speaking the language of the country or area to which he is assigned.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 24, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 624.)
§ 2521a. Nonpartisan appointments
In carrying out this chapter, no political test or political qualification may be used in—
(1) selecting any person for enrollment as a volunteer or for appointment to a position at, or for assignment to (or for employment for assignment to), a duty station located abroad, or
(2) promoting or taking any other action with respect to any volunteer or any person assigned to such a duty station.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 25, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1105(a)(2), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 276.)
§ 2522. DefinitionsIn this chapter:
(1) The term “abroad” means any area outside the United States.
(2) The term “function” includes any duty, obligation, right, power, authority, responsibility, privilege, discretion, activity, and program.
(3) The term “health care” includes all appropriate examinations, preventive, curative and restorative health and medical care, and supplementary services when necessary.
(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.
(5) The word “transportation” in sections 2504(b), 2504(m),1
1 So in original. See References in Text note below.
and 2505(2) of this title includes transportation of not to exceed three hundred pounds per person of unaccompanied necessary personal and household effects.(6) The term “United States” means the several States and the District of Columbia.
(7) The term “United States Government agency” includes any department, board, wholly or partly owned corporation, or instrumentality, commission, or establishment of the United States Government.
(8) For the purposes of this chapter or any other Act, the period of any individual’s service as a volunteer under this chapter shall include—
(i) except for the purposes of section 2504(f) 1 of this title, any period of training under section 2507(a) of this title prior to enrollment as a volunteer under this chapter; and
(ii) the period between enrollment as a volunteer and the termination of service as such volunteer by the President or by death or resignation.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 26, formerly § 25, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 624; Pub. L. 89–572, § 4, Sept. 13, 1966, 80 Stat. 765; Pub. L. 91–352, § 8, July 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 465; renumbered § 26, Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1105(a)(1), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 276; Pub. L. 115–256, title III, § 306, Oct. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 3659.)
§ 2523. Separability
If any provision of this chapter or the application of any provision to any circumstances or persons shall be held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this chapter and the applicability of such provision to other circumstances or persons shall not be affected thereby.
(Pub. L. 87–293, title I, § 27, formerly § 26, Sept. 22, 1961, 75 Stat. 625; renumbered § 27, Pub. L. 99–83, title XI, § 1105(a)(1), Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 276.)