text: 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.
target: 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.
feat_title: National Care Corps Act of 2015