BADGES for Native Communities Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Passed Senate
Summary
Standardize missing-and-murdered Indigenous persons data and boost tribal-led coordination. The BADGES for Native Communities Act would tighten how federal agencies record and share information about missing or murdered Indigenous people, fund regional coordination, and push agencies to fix staffing and evidence gaps in Indian country.
Show full summary
- Families and Native communities would get clearer reporting and public transparency through Tribal-led facilitators for the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and required annual disclosures of facilitator activities.
- Tribal law enforcement and the Bureau of Indian Affairs would get a background-check demonstration program to speed hiring and security clearances, with the pilot set to expire after five years and allowing MOUs with States and Tribes to share information.
- Federal agencies would face bigger reporting duties and oversight. The Department of Justice must report detailed staffing metrics and unmet needs, the Government Accountability Office would review staffing within 18 months, and a Missing or Murdered Response Coordination Grant Program is authorized at $1.0 million per year for FY2026 through FY2030.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster hiring and wellness for Tribal officers
If enacted, Interior would test a faster way to run background checks and clearances for Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement applicants. A clearance from this pilot would count for other federal agencies. The Secretary would report within three years, and the pilot would end five years after it starts. HHS and DOJ would also work to make culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs available near where BIA and Tribal officers work. They would check whether those agencies can use Federal Occupational Health assistance or similar programs.
Grants and Tribal help to find missing Native people
If enacted, the Justice Department would run a small grant program for Tribes and partners to improve response to missing persons, sexual violence, and death cases. It would provide $1 million each year from 2026 to 2030. Grants could set up regional centers and commissions, put cases into NamUs and the NCIC Missing Persons File, and build rapid alerts and coordination tools. States would need to report cases to national databases or have a plan to do so, and sign MOUs with Tribes to share data. The Attorney General would also appoint Tribal facilitators to help Tribes report cases, train local staff, and post annual updates for the first three years after enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Cosponsors
John Hoeven
ND • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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