,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dbhi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #aa1 #bjai,ms4 ,haaland 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,davids of ,kansas1 ,mr4 ,cole1 ,mr4 ,mullin1 ,mr4 ,young1 ,mr4 ,o',halleran1 ,mr4 ,cook1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mr4 ,newhouse1 ,mrs4 ,torres of ,california1 and ,ms4 ,moore7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,natural ,resources1 ,energy and ,commerce1 and ,oversight and ,reform1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to require ,federal law enforcement agencies to report on cases of missing or murdered ,indians1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,bridging ,agency ,data ,gaps and ,ensuring ,safety for ,native ,communities ,act or the ,,badges for ,native ,communities ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,title ,i--,bridging ,agency ,data ,gaps ,sec4 #aja4 ,federal law enforcement database reporting requirements4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system ,tribal liaison4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,law enforcement data sharing with ,indian tribes4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,report on ,indian country law enforcement personnel resources and need4 ,title ,,ii--,ensuring ,safety for ,native ,communities ,sec4 #bja4 ,demonstration program on ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs law enforcement employment background checks4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,missing and murdered response coordination grant program4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,,gao study on ,federal law enforcement agency evidence collection1 handling1 and processing4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs and ,tribal law enforcement officer counseling resources interdepartmental coordination4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,justice ,services4 7#b7 ,federal law enforcement agency ,the term ,federal law enforcement agency means the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs direct-service police1 the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation1 and any other ,federal law enforcement agency that-- 7,a7 has jurisdiction over crimes in ,indian country2 or 7,b7 investigates missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes1 murder cases of interest to ,indian tribes1 or unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes4 7#c7 ,indian ,the term ,indian has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#d7 ,indian country ,the term ,indian country has the meaning given the term in section #aaea of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,indian land ,the term ,indian land has the meaning given the term ,indian lands in section #c of the ,native ,american ,business ,development1 ,trade ,promotion1 and ,tourism ,act of #bjjj 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dcjb74 7#f7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#g7 ,manslaughter ,the term manslaughter has the meaning given the term in section #aaab of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#h7 ,missing ,the term missing has the meaning determined by the applicable ,federal law enforcement agency4 7#i7 ,missing persons case of interest to ,indian tribes ,the term missing persons case of interest to ,indian tribes means a case involving-- 7,a7 a missing ,indian2 or 7,b7 a missing person whose last known location is believed to be on1 in1 or near ,indian land4 7#aj7 ,murder ,the term murder has the meaning given the term in section #aaaa of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#aa7 ,murder case of interest to ,indian tribes ,the term murder case of interest to ,indian tribes means a case involving-- 7,a7 a murdered ,indian2 or 7,b7 a person murdered on1 in1 or near ,indian land4 7#ab7 ,murdered ,the term murdered1 with respect to a person1 means the person was the victim of-- 7,a7 murder2 or 7,b7 manslaughter4 7#ac7 ,national crime information databases ,the term national crime information databases has the meaning given the term in section #ecd7;f77#c7 of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#ad7 ,relevant tribal organization ,the term relevant tribal organization means1 as applicable-- 7,a7 a tribal organization2 and 7,b7 a national or regional organization that-- 7i7 represents a substantial ,indian constituency2 and 7ii7 has expertise in the fields of-- 7,i7 human trafficking of ,indians2 7,,ii7 human trafficking on ,indian lands2 7,,iii7 violence against ,indian women and children2 or 7,,iv7 ,tribal justice systems4 7#ae7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#af7 ,tribal justice official ,the term tribal justice official has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,indian ,law ,enforcement ,reform ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #bhja74 7#ag7 ,tribal organization ,the term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#ah7 ,unidentified remains case of interest to ,indian tribes ,the term unidentified remains case of interest to ,indian tribes means a case involving-- 7,a7 unidentified ,indian remains2 or 7,b7 unidentified remains found on1 in1 or near ,indian land4 ,i ,bridging ,agency ,data ,gaps #aja4 ,federal law enforcement database reporting requirements 7a7 ,in general ,section #aea7;a7 of the ,sex ,offender ,registration and ,notification ,act 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #bjifa7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 and 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system1 to be used by a person accessing the ,system only within the scope of the work of the person in assisting or supporting law enforcement efforts to solve missing1 unidentified1 and unclaimed person cases across the ,united ,states2 and 4 7b7 ,sharing of information ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general shall1 in a manner that maintains the integrity of confidential1 private1 and law enforcement sensitive information1 provide for information on missing persons and unidentified remains contained in national crime information databases to be transmitted to1 entered in1 and otherwise shared with the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system4 7c7 ,temporary reporting requirements ,until such time as the data sharing procedures required under subsection 7b7 are in effect1 each ,federal law enforcement agency shall enter into the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system each missing persons case of interest to ,indian tribes and each unidentified remains case of interest to ,indian tribes reported to or investigated by the ,federal law enforcement agency4 7d7 ,coordination with ,nam,us ,tribal liaison ,the ,director and the ,director of the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation shall each appoint a liaison to coordinate with the one or more ,tribal liaisons appointed under section 7#d77;a7 to ensure that-- 7#a7 all missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and all unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes are fully captured in the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system2 and 7#b7 ,indian tribes are aware of1 and able to access1 information in the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system4 #ajb4 ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system ,tribal liaison 7a7 ,appointment ,the ,attorney ,general1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,justice1 shall appoint one or more ,tribal liaisons for the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system4 7b7 ,duties ,the duties of a ,tribal liaison appointed under subsection 7a7 shall include-- 7#a7 coordinating the reporting of information relating to missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes2 7#b7 consulting and coordinating with ,indian tribes and relevant tribal organizations to address the reporting1 documentation1 and tracking of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes2 7#c7 developing working relationships1 and maintaining communication1 with ,indian tribes and relevant tribal organizations2 7#d7 providing technical assistance and training to ,indian tribes and relevant tribal organizations1 victim service advocates1 medical examiners1 and tribal justice officials regarding-- 7,a7 the gathering and reporting of information to the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system2 and 7,b7 working with non-,tribal law enforcement agencies to ensure all missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes are reported to the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system2 7#e7 coordinating with the ,office of ,tribal ,justice and the ,office of ,justice ,services1 as necessary2 and 7#f7 conducting other training1 information gathering1 and outreach activities to improve resolution of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes4 7c7 ,reporting and transparency 7#a7 ,annual reports to ,congress ,during the #c-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,attorney ,general1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,justice1 shall submit to the ,committees on ,indian ,affairs and the ,judiciary of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,natural ,resources and the ,judiciary of the ,house of ,representatives an annual report-- 7,a7 describing the activities and accomplishments of the one or more ,tribal liaisons appointed under subsection 7a7 during the #a-year period preceding the date of the report2 and 7,b7 summarizing-- 7i7 the number of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes listed in the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system2 7ii7 the percentage of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes closed during the #a-year period preceding the date of the report2 and 7iii7 the reasons for those closures4 7#b7 ,public transparency ,annually1 the ,attorney ,general1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,institute of ,justice1 shall publish on a website publicly accessible information-- 7,a7 describing the activities and accomplishments of the one or more ,tribal liaisons appointed under subsection 7a7 during the #a-year period preceding the date of the publication2 and 7,b7 summarizing-- 7i7 the number of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes listed in the ,national ,missing and ,unidentified ,persons ,system2 7ii7 the percentage of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and unidentified remains cases of interest to ,indian tribes closed during the #a-year period preceding the date of the report2 and 7iii7 the reasons for those closures4 #ajc4 ,law enforcement data sharing with ,indian tribes 7a7 ,access to national crime information databases by tribes ,section #bcc7;b7 of the ,tribal ,law and ,order ,act of #bjaj 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #daajg7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general shall ensure that-- 7,a7 tribal law enforcement officials that meet applicable ,federal or ,state requirements shall be permitted access to national crime information databases2 7,b7 technical assistance and training is provided to ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs and tribal law enforcement agencies to gain access to1 and the ability to use and input information into1 the ,national ,crime ,information ,center and other national crime information databases pursuant to section #ecd of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,c7 the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation coordinates with the ,office of ,justice ,services to ensure tribal law enforcement agencies are assigned appropriate credentials or ,,ori numbers for uniform crime reporting purposes4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking with criminal jurisdiction over ,indian country4 7b7 ,acquisition1 preservation1 and exchange of identification records and information ,section #ecd7;d7 of title #bh1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 as subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 respectively1 and indenting appropriately2 7#b7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7 7as so redesignated71 by striking ,the ,attorney ,general and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,tribal ,access ,program 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,attorney ,general shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,tribal ,access ,program1 to enhance the ability of tribal governments to access and enter information into ,federal criminal information databases under this section4 7,b7 ,authorization of appropriations 7i7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the ,tribal ,access ,program under subparagraph 7,a7 #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 to remain available until expended4 7ii7 ,additional funding ,the ,attorney ,general may use to carry out the ,tribal ,access ,program under subparagraph 7,a7 any balances remaining for the account under the heading ,violence against women prevention and prosecution programs under the heading ,state and ,local ,law ,enforcement ,activities ,office on ,violence ,against ,women of the ,department of ,justice from appropriations for full fiscal years prior to the date of enactment of the ,bridging ,agency ,data ,gaps and ,ensuring ,safety for ,native ,communities ,act4 7#c7 ,information sharing ,to the extent otherwise permitted by law1 any report issued as a result of the analysis of information entered into ,federal criminal information databases or obtained from ,federal criminal databases1 including for the purpose of conducting background checks1 shall be shared with each ,indian tribe of jurisdiction4 4 #ajd4 ,report on ,indian country law enforcement personnel resources and need 7a7 ,definition of ,,doj law enforcement agency ,in this section1 the term ,,doj law enforcement agency means each of-- 7#a7 the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation2 7#b7 the ,drug ,enforcement ,administration2 7#c7 the ,united ,states ,marshals ,service2 7#d7 the ,bureau of ,alcohol1 ,tobacco1 ,firearms and ,explosives2 and 7#e7 the ,offices of the ,united ,states ,attorneys4 7b7 ,report ,each fiscal year1 the ,attorney ,general shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report describing for that fiscal year-- 7#a7 the number of full-time employees of each ,,doj law enforcement agency that are assigned to work on criminal investigations and prosecutions in ,indian country2 7#b7 an estimate of the average caseload of-- 7,a7 the full-time employees described in paragraph 7#a72 compared to 7,b7 the other full-time employees at the respective ,,doj law enforcement agency that are assigned to work on criminal investigations and prosecutions2 and 7#c7 an explanation for any differences in the average caseloads identified under subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 of paragraph 7#b74 ,,ii ,ensuring ,safety for ,native ,communities #bja4 ,demonstration program on ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs law enforcement employment background checks 7a7 ,establishment of program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a demonstration program for the purpose of conducting or adjudicating1 in coordination with the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 personnel background investigations for applicants for law enforcement positions in the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7#b7 ,background investigations and security clearance determinations 7,a7 ,,bia investigations ,as part of the demonstration program established under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may carry out a background investigation1 security clearance determination1 or both a background investigation and a security clearance determination for an applicant for a law enforcement position in the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7,b7 ,use of previous investigations and determinations 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 as part of the demonstration program established under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 in adjudicating background investigations for applicants for law enforcement positions in the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 shall consider previous background investigations for an applicant1 security clearance determinations for an applicant1 or both background investigations and security clearance determinations for an applicant1 as the case may be1 that have been conducted by a ,state or local government1 ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 within the #e-year period preceding the application for employment with the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7ii7 ,quality ,the ,secretary shall only consider previous background investigations and security clearance determinations for an applicant that have been conducted by a ,state or local government1 ,indian tribe1 or tribal organization if the ,secretary can verify that those previous investigations and determinations1 as the case may be1 are of a comparable quality and thoroughness to investigations and determinations carried out by the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 or another ,federal agency4 7iii7 ,additional investigation ,if1 as described in clause 7i71 the ,secretary considers an existing background investigation1 security clearance determination1 or both1 as the case may be1 for an applicant that has been carried out by a ,state or local government1 ,indian tribe1 tribal organization1 or the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,secretary-- 7,i7 may carry out additional investigation and examination of the applicant if the ,secretary determines that such additional information is needed in order to make an appropriate determination as to the character and trustworthiness of the applicant before final adjudication can be made and a security clearance can be issued2 and 7,,ii7 shall not initiate a new background investigation process with the ,national ,background ,investigations ,bureau or other ,federal agency unless that new background investigation process covers a period of time that was not covered by a previous background investigation process4 7iv7 ,agreements ,the ,secretary may enter into a ,memorandum of ,agreement with a ,state or local government1 ,indian tribe1 or tribal organization to develop steps to expedite the process of receiving and obtaining access to background investigation and security clearance determinations for use in the demonstration program4 7#c7 ,sunset ,the demonstration program established under this section shall terminate #e years after the date of the commencement of the program4 7b7 ,sufficiency ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 a background investigation conducted or adjudicated by the ,secretary pursuant to the demonstration program authorized in subsection 7a7 that results in the granting of a security clearance to an applicant for a law enforcement position in the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs shall be sufficient to meet the applicable requirements of the ,office of ,personnel ,management or other ,federal agency for such investigations4 7c7 ,annual report ,the ,secretary shall submit an annual report to the ,committee on ,indian ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives on the demonstration program established under subsection 7a71 which shall include a description of-- 7#a7 the demonstration program and any relevant annual changes or updates to the program2 7#b7 the number of background investigations carried out under the program2 7#c7 the costs1 including any cost savings1 associated with the investigation and adjudication process under the program2 7#d7 the processing times for the investigation and adjudication processes under the program2 7#e7 any ,memoranda of ,agreement entered into with ,state or local government1 ,indian tribe1 or tribal organization2 and 7#f7 any other information that the ,secretary determines to be relevant4 7d7 ,,gao study and report 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than #ah months after the date on which the demonstration program commences under this section1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall prepare and submit to ,congress an initial report on such demonstration program4 7#b7 ,final report ,not later than #ah months after the date on which the demonstration program terminates under subsection 7a77#c71 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall prepare and submit to ,congress a final report on such demonstration program4 7#c7 ,tribal input ,in preparing the reports under this subsection1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall obtain input from ,indian tribes regarding the demonstration program under this section4 #bjb4 ,missing and murdered response coordination grant program 7a7 ,establishment of program ,the ,attorney ,general shall establish within the ,office of ,justice ,programs a grant program under which the ,attorney ,general shall make grants to eligible entities described in subsection 7b7 to carry out eligible activities described in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,eligible entities 7#a7 ,in general ,to be eligible to receive a grant under the grant program established under subsection 7a7 an entity shall be-- 7,a7 an ,indian tribe2 7,b7 a relevant tribal organization2 7,c7 subject to paragraph 7#b71 a ,state1 in consortium with one or more ,indian tribes or relevant tribal organizations2 7,d7 a consortium of two or more ,indian tribes or relevant tribal organizations2 or 7,e7 subject to paragraph 7#b71 a consortium of two or more ,states and one or more ,indian tribes or relevant tribal organizations4 7#b7 ,state eligibility ,to be eligible under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,d7 of paragraph 7#a71 a ,state shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the ,attorney ,general that the ,state-- 7,a7 reports missing persons cases in the ,state to the national crime information databases2 or 7,b7 if not1 has a plan to do so using a grant received under the grant program established under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,eligible activities ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under the grant program established under subsection 7a7 may use the grant-- 7#a7 to establish a statewide or regional center to document and track missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and murder cases of interest to ,indian tribes2 7#b7 to establish a ,state or regional commission to respond to1 and to improve coordination between ,federal law enforcement agencies1 and ,tribal1 ,state1 and local law enforcement agencies of the investigation of1 missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and murder cases of interest to ,indian tribes2 and 7#c7 to document1 develop1 and disseminate resources for use by ,federal law enforcement agencies and ,tribal1 ,state1 and local law enforcement agencies for the coordination of the investigation of missing persons cases of interest to ,indian tribes and murder cases of interest to ,indian tribes4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program #a1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #bjc4 ,,gao study on ,federal law enforcement agency evidence collection1 handling1 and processing 7a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study-- 7#a7 on the evidence collection1 handling1 and processing procedures and practices of the ,office of ,justice ,services and the ,federal ,bureau of ,investigation in exercising jurisdiction over crimes involving ,indians or committed in ,indian country2 7#b7 on any barriers to evidence collection1 handling1 and processing by the agencies referred to in paragraph 7#a72 7#c7 on the views of law enforcement officials at the agencies referred to in paragraph 7#a7 and their counterparts within the ,offices of the ,united ,states ,attorneys concerning any relationship between-- 7,a7 the barriers identified under paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 ,united ,states ,attorneys declination rates due to insufficient evidence2 and 7#d7 that includes a survey of barriers to evidence collection1 handling1 and processing faced by ,state and local law enforcement agencies that exercise jurisdiction over ,indian country under the ,act of ,august #ae1 #aiec 7#fg ,stat4 #ehh1 chapter #eje71 and the amendments made by that ,act4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to ,congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection 7a74 #bjd4 ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs and ,tribal law enforcement officer counseling resources interdepartmental coordination ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services1 acting through the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service and the ,administrator of the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration1 and the ,attorney ,general shall coordinate with the ,director to ensure that ,federal training materials and resources for establishing and maintaining mental health wellness programs are available to ,tribal and ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs law enforcement officers experiencing occupational stress4