Department of State issues notice of proposed rulemaking on screening host families of foreign exchange students

The Department of State (DOS) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking information on alternative and more specific means of screening potential host families of foreign exchange students. Because of recent incidents, more stringent measures are currently sought in order to ensure that no foreign children will be harmed during participation in this diplomatic program. DOS is looking for suggestions regarding means other than verbal descriptions for describing potential homes and rooms of host families during the application process. It is also seeking information on how better to identify neutral and dependable persons to serve as character references for potential hosts. In addition, it is considering changing the requirements for host families, to ensure that any potential host family must have at least one school age child living in the home. Finally, DOS contemplating  changing the current background check procedures to create a more thorough and uniform system that would test not only the adults living in the host home, but also any habitual adult visitors to the host family’s address. Comments are due by October 2, 2009.

74 Fed. Reg. 45,385 (Sept. 2, 2009)
Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, 74 Fed. Reg. 45,385 (Sept. 2, 2009)