# 119-s-2452: Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act

119-s-2452, Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (D-WA); status introduced (as of 2025-12-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2452
- As of: 2025-12-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2452
- Congress: 119
- Title: Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-07-24
- Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (D-WA)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Policy area: Native Americans
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-12-21

## Summary

**Gives qualified tribal police the authority to enforce federal law in Indian country.** The bill would create a certification and credentialing system and set training, background, and tribal policy standards for tribal officers working under Indian Self-Determination Act contracts or compacts. - Tribal officers: Tribal officers who meet training, background, and certification standards would be treated as Federal law enforcement officers for specific criminal protections, for Federal Tort Claims Act coverage, and for certain federal pay and benefits rules. The Secretary must implement credentialing procedures within two years. - Tribes and communities: Indian tribes would adopt policies that meet or exceed Bureau of Indian Affairs standards to authorize participation, and officers could opt in on a position-by-position basis. The bill allows purchase of service credit, recognizes alternative retirement ages, and requires bridge training when state programs substitute for the Indian Police Academy. - Department of Justice oversight: The Attorney General, through the Deputy Attorney General, would coordinate DOJ activities, require training and updated U.S. Attorney plans, improve data collection and analysis, and report to Congress to strengthen public safety in Indian communities.

## Cosponsors (8)

- Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2] (R-OK), 2025-07-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (D-NV), 2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ] (D-AZ), 2025-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC] (R-NC), 2025-10-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI), 2025-10-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] (D-WA), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Federal protections for tribal police: benefit, low. This bill would let some tribal police enforce federal law in their tribal area. Officers would need comparable training and an equivalent adjudicated background check. They would also need certification from the Office of Justice Services and tribal policies that meet OJS standards. This applies o…
- Justice Department oversight for tribes: benefit, low. This bill would direct the Attorney General to coordinate DOJ public safety work in Indian communities. It would require timely reports to Congress and robust training when tribes or officials request it. The DOJ would update United States Attorney operational plans and collect better data on publi…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1816: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025
- 119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Campbell.
- 119-sres-501: A resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and the contributions of Native…
- 119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.
- 119-sres-159: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former Senator for the State of Louisiana.
- 119-sres-148: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former Senator for the State of Wyoming.

## Sources
- [119-s-2452 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2452)

## Related
- [119-s-1816: Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1816)
- [119-sres-585: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of Ben Nighthorse Camp…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-585)
- [119-sres-501: A resolution recognizing National Native American Heritage Month and celebratin…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-501)
- [119-sres-255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United State…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-255)
- [119-sres-159: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., for…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-159)
- [119-sres-148: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former Senator…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-148)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2452 (as of 2025-12-21).