Expanded benefits for current and former Peace Corps volunteers

(a) Extended non-Competitive eligibility During the 3-year period immediately following the termination of an individual's service as a Peace Corps volunteer, such individual shall be granted non-competitive eligibility with respect to positions in the civilian career services. (b) Non-Discrimination based on certain immigration statuses Section 5(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(a)) is amended— (1) in the first sentence, by striking citizens and nationals of the United States and inserting citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents of the United States; and (2) in the fourth sentence, by striking or color. and inserting color, or status as a refugee, asylee, or other lawfully admitted alien.. (c) Regularity of payments of monthly stipends The Director of the Peace Corps shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that Peace Corps volunteers receive stipends on a regular and predictable basis (and, to the maximum extent practicable, on the same numerical day of each month), including in the event of a temporary partial or complete government shutdown. (d) Extended health care (1) 1-year eligibility for health benefits Subchapter VIII of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 1789A. Former Peace Corps volunteers During the one-year period beginning on the day after the final day of the service of a Peace Corps volunteer, the Secretary shall make available to such former volunteer such hospital care or medical services as the former volunteer may elect to receive at a medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The cost of any care or services furnished under this section to such former volunteer shall be reimbursed at such rates as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the Director of the Peace Corps, based on the cost of the care or service furnished and in accordance with health care otherwise provided to volunteers under section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act. Such former volunteers may decline to receive any of the health benefits authorized under this section.. (2) Conforming amendments Section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(e)) is amended— (A) by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: Former volunteers shall also be entitled to such hospital care and medical services as may be provided in accordance with section 1789A of title 38, United States Code.; and (B) in the second sentence, by inserting (other than health care provided in accordance with such section 1789A) after such health care. (3) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to section 1789 the following new item: 1789A. Former Peace Corps volunteers.. (e) Readjustment allowances for volunteers and volunteer leaders Section 5 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504) is amended— (1) in subsection (b), by striking insure their health and inserting ensure their safety, their health, and; (2) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking $125 and inserting $425; (B) by striking his each place such term appears and inserting the volunteer’s; (C) by striking he and inserting the volunteer; and (D) by adding at the end the following: The amount of the readjustment allowance authorized under this subsection may be periodically adjusted by the Director of the Peace Corps to reflect the percentage increase (if any) in the Consumer Price Index.; (3) by redesignating subsection (e), as amended by subsection (b)(2) of this Act as subsection (d); (4) by inserting after subsection (d), as so amended and redesignated, the following: (e) The Director shall consult with health experts outside of 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 volunteers.; (5) in subsection (h), by striking he and inserting the President; (6) in subsection (n)(2)— (A) by striking subsection (e) each place such term appears and inserting subsection (d); and (B) by striking he and inserting the President; (7) in subsection (o), by striking his each place such term appears and inserting the volunteer’s; and (8) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (q) Suspension of payments and accrual of interest on federal loans during service (1) In general If a volunteer receives a loan made under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) before commencing service in the Peace Corps— (A) all payments due for such loans shall be suspended; and (B) interest shall not accrue on such loan for the duration of such service. (2) Deferment or forbearance Notwithstanding any other provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), the Secretary of Education shall deem each month for which a loan payment was— (A) suspended under this subsection; or (B) subject to a deferment or forbearance under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as if the borrower of the loan had made a payment for the purpose of any loan forgiveness program or loan rehabilitation program authorized under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq. and 1087a et seq.) for which the borrower would have otherwise qualified.. (f) Nontaxable status for readjustment allowances Notwithstanding any other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a readjustment allowance received pursuant to section 5(c) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(c)), as amended by subsection (e)(2) of this section, shall not be subject to taxation under chapter 1 of such Code.