National Care Corps Act of 2015
Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services the National Care Corps through which Corps volunteers provide certain services to individuals in need who are age 65 or older or have a disability and have difficulty with self-care or living independently.
[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2668 Introduced in House (IH)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2668
To establish a National Care Corps through which qualified volunteers
provide care, companionship, and other services to seniors and
individuals with disabilities.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2015
Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico (for herself, Mr. Doggett, Mr.
Hastings, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs. Dingell, and Ms. Roybal-Allard)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a National Care Corps through which qualified volunteers
provide care, companionship, and other services to seniors and
individuals with disabilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Care Corps Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Corps.--The term ``Corps'' means the National Care
Corps established under section 3 of this Act.
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Corps appointed under section 3(b)(1) of this Act.
(3) Local care corps program.--The term ``local Care Corps
program'' means a program funded with a grant awarded under
section 10(b) of this Act that hosts Corps volunteers and
arranges for them to provide approved services to individuals
in need.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CARE CORPS.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Department of Health
and Human Services a program to be known as the ``National Care Corps''
through which Corps volunteers provide approved services to individuals
in need via participation in local Care Corps programs.
(b) Staff.--
(1) Appointment of director.--The Secretary, acting through
the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living,
shall appoint a Director of the Corps.
(2) Duties of director.--The Director shall--
(A) design, develop, and administer Corps programs;
(B) manage the daily operations of the Corps; and
(C) report to the Administrator of the
Administration for Community Living.
(3) Authority to employ staff.--The Director may employ
such staff as is necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 4. SELECTION AND ELIGIBILITY OF VOLUNTEERS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Selection.--The Director shall select eligible
individuals as Corps volunteers.
(2) Nondiscrimination.--In selecting Corps volunteers, the
Director shall comply with all applicable provisions of State
and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to
nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity.
(b) Eligible Individuals.--To be eligible to serve as a volunteer
in the Corps, an individual shall--
(1) be at least 18 years of age on or before December 31 of
the calendar year in which the individual begins participation
in the Corps;
(2) agree to participate in the Corps for a period of not
more than 24 months, consisting of not more than 2 terms of up
to 12 months;
(3) submit an application to the Director at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Director
may require;
(4) pass a criminal background check as described in
subsection (c); and
(5) agree to comply with such terms and conditions as the
Director may require.
(c) Criminal Background Check.--
(1) In general.--Before selecting any individual to serve
as a volunteer in the Corps, the Director shall request a
criminal background check of such individual on a nationwide
basis.
(2) Volunteer prohibitions.--An individual shall be
ineligible to be a Corps volunteer if--
(A) such individual refuses to consent to the
criminal background check; or
(B) the criminal background check does not
demonstrate to the Director's satisfaction that such
individual is fit for Corps service.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED BENEFITS FOR CORPS VOLUNTEERS.
(a) In General.--The Director shall provide for Corps volunteers to
receive allowances, health insurance, and post-service educational
awards authorized by this section.
(b) Allowances.--The Director shall provide each Corps volunteer
with such living, travel, and leave allowances, and such housing,
transportation, supplies, equipment, and subsistence as the Director
determines to be necessary for the volunteer's maintenance and to
ensure the volunteer's health and capacity to serve effectively.
(c) Health Insurance.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall provide for each Corps
volunteer to receive health insurance coverage.
(2) Minimum essential coverage.--The health insurance
coverage described paragraph (1) shall meet the requirements of
section 5000A(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(d) Post-Service Educational Award.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall establish an
educational award for Corps volunteers.
(2) Amounts.--
(A) Number of awards.--A Corps volunteer may
receive up to 2 educational awards under this
subsection, one for each term of service as a
volunteer.
(B) Amount for full term of service.--In the case
of a Corps volunteer who completes a term of full-time
service in the Corps for a period of 12 months, as
determined by the Director, such volunteer shall
receive an educational award having a value equal to
the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant under
section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1070a) that a student eligible for such grant
may receive in the aggregate (without regard to whether
the funds are provided through discretionary or
mandatory appropriations) for the award year.
(C) Incentive to pursue a degree in a health care
profession.--In the case of a Corps volunteer who
commits to using his or her educational award (or
awards, if applicable) under this subsection for
completion of a degree, a certificate, or training in a
health care profession, the value of such awards shall
be twice the value that would otherwise be applicable
under subparagraph (B).
(D) Amount for other periods of service.--
(i) In the case of a Corps volunteer who
completes less than a 12-month term of full-
time service in the Corps, as determined by the
Director, such volunteer may receive a portion
of the educational award described in
subparagraph (B) or (C) (as applicable) that
corresponds to the quantity of service actually
completed by the volunteer.
(ii) In the case of a Corps volunteer who
completes more than 12 months of full-time
service in the Corps, and less than 24 months
of such service, as determined by the Director,
such volunteer may receive, for the portion of
service exceeding 12 months, a portion of the
educational award described in subparagraph (B)
or (C) (as applicable) that corresponds to the
quantity of service actually completed by the
volunteer.
(3) Uses of award.--An educational award shall be used to
pay--
(A) costs of attendance at an institution of higher
education; or
(B) government or commercial loans received by an
individual for the cost of attendance at an institution
of higher education.
(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
following definitions shall apply:
(A) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of
attendance'' has the meaning given such term by section
472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1087ll).
(B) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning
given such term under subsection (a) or (b) of section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001).
(e) Federal Hiring Preference.--In the case of a Corps volunteer
who completes at least one term of full-time service in the Corps for a
total period of 12 months or more, as determined by the Director, such
volunteer shall be eligible for appointment in the competitive service
in the same manner as Peace Corps volunteers as prescribed in Executive
Order Number 11103 (April 10, 1963).
(f) Regulations.--The Director shall issue any regulations that the
Director determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 6. ASSIGNMENT OF CORPS VOLUNTEERS TO SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES.
(a) Assignment of Corps Volunteers.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall assign each Corps
volunteer to participate in a local Care Corps program.
(2) Priority of assignment.--In assigning Corps volunteers
to local Care Corps programs, the Director shall--
(A) take into consideration the population and
geographic preferences of the volunteers; and
(B) assign not less than 20 percent of volunteers
to programs that serve geographic areas in which the
Director determines there is a shortage of approved
services available to individuals in need, with
consideration given to low-income and minority
populations.
(b) Services Provided by Corps Volunteers.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall assign Corps volunteers
only for providing approved services to individuals in need
through participation in local Care Corps programs.
(2) Approved services.--Approved services are services
provided directly to individuals in need in home-based or
community-based settings that--
(A) result in person-to-person, supportive
relationships with each individual served;
(B) support the achievement and maintenance of the
highest level of independent living for each individual
in need;
(C) are supported by appropriate orientation,
training, and supervision; and
(D) are provided in support of, or in coordination
with, a caregiver, if applicable.
(3) Prohibited services.--In performing duties as a Corps
volunteer, no volunteer shall provide--
(A) professional medical services;
(B) administrative support services to a local
Corps program;
(C) care in an institutional setting;
(D) care prohibited under State law; or
(E) any other services determined by the director
to be inconsistent with the purposes of the Corps.
(4) Guidance regarding scope of services.--The Director
shall issue guidance describing the scope of services that may
be provided by Corps volunteers. In issuing such guidance, the
Director shall provide for a public notice and comment period
of not less than 60 days before issuing the guidance in final
form.
(c) Individual In Need.--The term ``individual in need'' means an
individual who--
(1) is at least 65 years of age or has a disability as
defined in section 3 of the Americans With Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102);
(2) has difficultly with self-care or living independently;
and
(3) meets such other criteria as the Director determines to
be appropriate.
SEC. 7. TRAINING AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.
(a) Pre-Assignment Training Program.--The Director shall develop a
training program that provides Corps volunteers with instruction in the
skills necessary to carry out an assignment in a local Care Corps
program. Such training program shall include--
(1) at least 40 hours of instruction for each Corps
volunteer for each term (of 12 months or less) to be served in
the Corps by the volunteer;
(2) additional training for volunteers whose assignment
requires further instruction; and
(3) any other requirements the Director determines to be
appropriate.
(b) Standards of Conduct.--The Director shall establish and enforce
standards to promote proper conduct and discipline within the Corps.
SEC. 8. STATUS OF CORPS VOLUNTEERS UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
Corps volunteers shall not, by reason of their status as volunteers, be
treated as Federal employees or be subject to the provisions of law
relating to Federal employment.
(b) Work-Related Injuries.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81
of title 5, United States Code, relating to the compensation of
Federal employees for work injuries, Corps volunteers shall be
treated as employees of the United States within the meaning of
the term ``employee'', as defined in section 8101 of such
title.
(2) Special rule.--In the application of the provisions of
subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, to a
Corps volunteer, the volunteer shall not be treated to be in
the performance of duty while absent from the volunteer's
assigned post of duty unless the absence is authorized in
accordance with procedures prescribed by the Director.
(c) Tort Claims Procedure.--A Corps volunteer shall be treated an
employee of the United States for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28,
United States Code, relating to tort claims liability and procedure.
SEC. 9. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, shall
transmit to Congress at least once in each fiscal year a report on the
Corps. At minimum, such report shall include--
(1) a description of the population served by the Corps
during the preceding fiscal year, including--
(A) an estimate of the number of individuals served
in each State, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic status; and
(B) identification of the type of settings in which
the services were provided;
(2) an evaluation of Corps operations; and
(3) recommendations, if any, for improving Corps
operations.
SEC. 10. LOCAL CARE CORPS PROGRAMS.
(a) Functions of Local Care Corps Programs.--Local Care Corps
programs shall--
(1) conduct in-person orientation and training for Corps
volunteers;
(2) develop and monitor volunteer assignments, which shall
include selecting the individuals in need to be served by Corps
volunteers, matching volunteers to assignments, and supervising
volunteers;
(3) maintain records and prepare reports as required by the
Director; and
(4) carry out any other activities determined to be
appropriate by the Director.
(b) Grants for Local Care Corps Programs.--The Director may award
grants to qualified entities for the operation of local Care Corps
programs.
(1) Qualified entity.--The term ``qualified entity'' means
a public or private nonprofit entity that is--
(A) part of an aging network, as defined by section
102(5) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3002(5));
(B) a time-banking or volunteer organizing agency;
(C) a State, county, or local government; or
(D) any other entity determined to be appropriate
by the Director.
(2) Application process.--To be eligible for a grant under
this subsection, a qualified entity shall--
(A) submit an application to the Director at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Director may require; and
(B) abide by such terms and conditions as the
Director determines to be appropriate.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$350,000,000 for each of the fiscal years beginning after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(b) Continued Availability of Funds.--Amounts authorized to be
appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year are authorized to
remain available for that fiscal year and the subsequent fiscal year.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3881)
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line