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US HR4289

US HR4289
BADGES for Native Communities Act Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act


summary

Introduced
09/11/2019
In Committee
09/25/2019
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

116th Congress

Bill Summary

To require Federal law enforcement agencies to report on cases of missing or murdered Indians, and for other purposes. This bill modifies policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting and investigation of missing, unidentified, and murdered Native Americans. Among other elements, the bill requires the Department of Justice to do the following: share information with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) on missing persons and unidentified remains, ensure technical assistance and training are provided to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and tribal law enforcement agencies to utilize the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and other national databases, establish the Tribal Access Program to enhance the ability of tribal governments to access and enter information into federal criminal information databases, establish a grant program for specified entities to implement changes to enhance response to missing person and murder cases of interest to tribes, and work with the Indian Health Service and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to ensure resources for mental health wellness programs are available to tribal and BIA law enforcement officers experiencing occupational stress. The bill expands access to (1) the national crime information database for NamUs, and (2) the NCIC for each tribal justice official. Finally, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to 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.

AI Summary

This bill, the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act (also known as the BADGES for Native Communities Act), modifies policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigation of missing, unidentified, and murdered Native Americans. Key provisions include: requiring federal law enforcement agencies to report missing persons and unidentified remains cases of interest to Indian tribes to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System; establishing a tribal liaison program within the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System; expanding tribal access to national crime information databases; requiring a report on law enforcement personnel and resources in Indian country; creating a demonstration program for background investigations of Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement applicants; establishing a grant program to improve coordination of investigations into missing persons and murder cases involving Native Americans; and directing federal agencies to coordinate on providing mental health resources for tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services, Justice, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (19)

Last Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (on 09/25/2019)

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