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 cases of missing, unidentified, or murdered Native Americans and Alaska Natives. If passed, it would create a grant program to help tribes and tribal law enforcement agencies improve their ability to investigate missing persons cases and deaths. The bill also requires the Department of Justice to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide training resources and mental health support programs for tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects Native American tribes, tribal law enforcement agencies, and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officers.
It also involves federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Interior, and Department of Health and Human Services. Broadly, it impacts Native American communities dealing with missing persons and unsolved deaths. **Current Status:** The bill has already passed the Senate and is moving through the legislative process. As a Senate bill (S 390) in the 119th Congress, it now requires House consideration before potentially becoming law.
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
Held at the desk.