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H.R.4306 / 117th Congress

Foreign Service Families Act of 2021

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 1, 2021

Foreign Service Families Act of 2021

This bill increases access to career and educational opportunities for eligible family members of foreign service employees.

Specifically, the Department of State must use additional hiring preferences and apply appropriate hiring standards to eligible family members seeking employment in certain civil service positions overseas. Additionally, the State Department may take other steps to improve job portability and otherwise support employment of eligible family members who work in the federal civil service or private sector jobs. The State Department must also report on the implementation of the Foreign Service Family Reserve Corps, a program that expedites hiring and onboarding processes for family members who are eligible for appointment to positions overseas.

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Furthermore, each federal agency must include in its telework policy the circumstances under which an employee may temporarily work from an approved location overseas.

The bill also makes foreign service employees (or their spouses and dependent children) who are domiciled or assigned to a duty station in a given state eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in that state. Such individuals retain their eligibility for in-state tuition provided they maintain continuous enrollment even if their domicile or duty station changes.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] · D–TX

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
17 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Reform, and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4306 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Individual rights and government power

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