Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1853
116th Congress(2019-2020)
BADGES for Native Communities Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Jun 13, 2019
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Jun 13, 2019
Latest Action
Jun 4, 2020
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1853
Congress
116
Policy Area
Native Americans
Native Americans
Primary focus of measure is matters affecting Native Americans, including Alaska Natives and Hawaiians, in a variety of domestic policy settings. This includes claims, intergovernmental relations, and Indian lands and resources.
Sponsorship by Party
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act or the BADGES for Native Communities Act

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.

Text (2)
Actions (6)
06/04/2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.
06/04/2020
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-230.
12/11/2019
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
06/19/2019
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
06/13/2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
06/13/2019
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:46:20 PM