Bill > HR8960

This bill, the BADGES for Native Communities Act (also known as the Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act), aims to improve the reporting and tracking of missing persons cases, unclaimed remains, and unidentified remains that are of interest to Native American tribes. Key provisions include: - Appointing a Tribal facilitator to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System to coordinate reporting and improve resolution of such cases. - Requiring the Department of the Interior and Department of Justice to report on law enforcement personnel resources and needs in Indian country. - Establishing a demonstration program for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to conduct background investigations and security clearances for law enforcement applicants. - Creating a grant program to help states and tribes coordinate investigations and improve data sharing for missing persons, sexual assault, and death cases of interest to tribes. - Directing a GAO study on evidence collection, handling, and processing challenges faced by federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement in Indian country. - Requiring coordination between federal agencies to ensure mental health and wellness programs are available for Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal law enforcement officers.