BADGES for Native Communities Act
BADGES for Native Communities Act
Plain Language Summary
# BADGES for Native Communities Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The BADGES for Native Communities Act aims to improve how federal agencies respond to missing persons cases and deaths involving Native Americans. If passed, it would require the Department of Justice to create a grant program that gives money to tribes and other organizations to strengthen their ability to investigate these cases. The bill also directs the Justice and Health and Human Services departments to provide training resources and mental health support programs specifically designed for tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers.
Additionally, the Department of Interior would run a five-year pilot program to conduct background investigations for people applying to work in law enforcement positions within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily impacts Native American communities, tribal governments, and tribal law enforcement agencies. It also affects federal agencies—particularly the Departments of Justice, Interior, and Health and Human Services—which would need to develop new grant programs and training initiatives. **Current Status:** The bill (HR 1010) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-New Mexico) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act or the BADGES for Native Communities ActThis bill revises federal policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigating cases of missing, unidentified, or murdered Indians.Among other elements, the bill requires the Department of Justice to (1) establish a grant program for specified entities (e.g., tribes) to implement changes to enhance their responses to missing person cases and death investigations of interest to tribes, and (2) work with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that federal training resources and culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs are available to tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) law enforcement officers.The Department of the Interior must establish a five-year demonstration program for the purpose of conducting or adjudicating personnel background investigations for applicants for law enforcement positions in the BIA.The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct specified studies, including a study on the evidence collection, handling, response times, and processing procedures and practices of federal law enforcement agencies.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.