# 119-s-2785: A Chance To Serve Act

119-s-2785, A Chance To Serve Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2785
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2785
- Congress: 119
- Title: A Chance To Serve Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-09-11
- Sponsor: Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Expands benefits and legal protections for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers.** It would raise pay and education benefits, broaden health and hiring protections, and extend loan relief and tax exclusions for national service participants. - Peace Corps volunteers would get 3 years of noncompetitive federal hiring eligibility, more predictable monthly stipends, temporary post-service VA hospital care, a bigger readjustment allowance now based on $425, suspension of federal student loan payments and interest during service, and tax-free readjustment payments. - AmeriCorps participants would see at least 500,000 national service positions, a living allowance of no less than 200 percent of the poverty line, free health coverage equal to their service policy for a year after service, and a doubled Segal AmeriCorps education award. - Loan and tax treatment changes would let full-time national service and Peace Corps service count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness and would exclude national service education awards and living allowances from gross income under a new Internal Revenue Code section.

## Provisions PRIA read

- More pay and spots for national service: benefit, high. If enacted, the government would make at least 500,000 national service slots available. People serving would get a living allowance of at least 200% of the poverty line. The AmeriCorps education award would be doubled and could pay for recognized post‑secondary credentials. CNCS could give plannin…
- Tax-free national service pay and awards: benefit, high. If enacted, amounts you receive as a Segal AmeriCorps education award or as a living allowance during national service would not be counted as federal taxable income for tax years ending after enactment. Readjustment allowances under the Peace Corps would also be excluded from federal taxable incom…
- Better pay, health, and hiring for Peace Corps: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Peace Corps Director would have to make stipends arrive on a regular, predictable day each month when possible, including during short government shutdowns. Former volunteers could elect up to one year of VA hospital and medical care starting the day after service ends. The readjust…
- Student loan pause during national service: benefit, medium. If enacted, payments and interest on qualifying federal student loans would be suspended while you serve in the Peace Corps or a national service program, if the loan predated your service. Each paused month would count as a payment for loan forgiveness or rehabilitation purposes. Full‑time nationa…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2785 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2785)

## Related
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-1541: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1541)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2785 (as of 2026-04-21).