Emergency Clearance Letter to OMB PC-2196

November 19, 2020

By Electronic Submission

The Office of Management and Budget

725 17^th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20503

Dear OIRA Desk Officer:

Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. § 1320.13, the Peace Corps requests emergency approval of the “Legal Status Update Form for the Virtual Volunteer Service Pilot Program” by November 24, 2020. This is an essential vehicle which the Peace Corps will use to update the legal status of certain Peace Corps Returned Volunteers to participate in an online pilot program with overseas communities. The Virtual Service Pilot program will provide a means for the agency to continue involvement and sustain its overseas presence during the pandemic. This form will be used to update the individual’s legal status since their Close of Service date. The individual’s legal information was originally collected in form PC-1502, OMB Control Number 0420-0005. Form PC-1503, OMB Control Number 0420-0571, provided a modified reentry process for evacuated RPCVs due to COVID-19. However, individuals are not able to return to overseas Posts. This form seeks to continue upholding the legal status of volunteer activities outlined in 22 CFR 305.

The Peace Corps has determined that this request meets the criteria of 5 CFR 1320.13, in that the collection of information is needed prior to the expiration of time periods established under 5 CFR 1320; it is essential to the mission of Peace Corps to collect this information. The use of normal clearance procedures, which will take at over 90 days, will hinder the mission of the Peace Corps by not allowing us to verify the legal status needed for virtual service. The emergency notice that Peace Corps published in the Federal Register is enclosed.

If you have any questions and/or would like to confirm a publication date, please contact Virginia Burke, Freedom of Information Act Officer at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Virginia Burke

Privacy Act Officer

Enclosure