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BADGES for Native Communities Act
3/5/2025, 7:53 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1010
The bill recognizes the alarming rates at which Indigenous people go missing or are murdered, and seeks to bring attention to this issue by requiring more transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies. By requiring these agencies to report on cases involving Indigenous individuals, the bill aims to improve data collection and analysis, ultimately leading to better outcomes for Indigenous communities.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the creation of a joint commission to develop best practices for responding to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. This commission will also be responsible for making recommendations to Congress on how to address the underlying causes of this issue. Overall, Bill 119 hr 1010 is a step towards addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people in the United States. By requiring Federal law enforcement agencies to report on these cases and providing training and resources to better respond to them, the bill aims to bring justice and closure to affected communities.
Congressional Summary of HR 1010
Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act or the BADGES for Native Communities Act
This 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.
