Restoration Magazine

In this update, NIWRC reviews the status of key legislative priorities and bills that impact safety, justice, and healing for Native women and communities.

Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025
(S. 1892/H.R. 909)

Summary
The bill would promote recruitment and retention of federal law enforcement, address inefficiencies in federal missing persons data systems, increase Tribal access to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and establish a grant program to improve coordination efforts between states, Tribal Nations, and Tribal organizations on cases of missing and murdered persons.

Impact
The CVF provides non-taxpayer funding to thousands of victim assistance programs throughout the United States. In recent years, the deposits into the CVF have declined, resulting in cuts to the annual release of funds available for essential services and support for survivors. This bill would ensure that vital victim services remain available, including in Indian Country, by temporarily adding additional funding to the CVF.

Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety (BADGES) for Native Communities Act
(S. 390/H.R. 1010)

Summary
Revises federal policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigating cases of missing, unidentified, or murdered Indians.

Impact
Would increase coordination, retention, and effectiveness of federal missing persons resources and give Tribes resources to better address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives. Would promote recruitment and retention of federal law enforcement, address inefficiencies in federal missing persons data systems, increase Tribal access to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and establish a grant program to improve coordination efforts between states, Tribes, and Tribal organizations on cases of missing and murdered persons.

Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act
(S. 2452/H.R. 4712)

Summary

• Authorizes the law enforcement officers of any Indian Tribe that has contracted or compacted any or all federal law enforcement functions through a contract or compact entered into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to enforce federal law within the Tribe’s jurisdiction if those officers meet specific qualifications. These qualifications include completing training and passing an adjudicated background investigation.
• Deems a Tribal law enforcement officer acting under an authorized contract or compact as a federal law enforcement officer for specific federal laws, including for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits.
• Requires the Department of the Interior to (1) develop procedures for credentialing Tribal officers to confirm they meet minimum certification standards and training requirements for Indian country peace officers and (2) issue guidance to implement this bill.
• Requires the Department of Justice to coordinate and oversee its functions and programs to ensure a coordinated approach to public safety in Indian communities.

Impact
Would improve public safety by improving recruitment and retention of Tribal law enforcement officers.

Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act of 2025
(S. 1967/H.R. 3773)

Summary
Would expand Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (STCJ) to allow participating Tribal Nations to prosecute Native offenders for drug and gun crimes committed in furtherance of drug trafficking and other STCJ-covered crimes.

Impact
Would improve public safety in Indian Country and close loopholes that cause American Indians and Alaska Natives to be two and a half times more likely to become victims of violent crime and more likely to die of an overdose than other demographic groups.