[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4524 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4524
To amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to provide for
advancements in public safety services to Indian communities, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 10, 2023
Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. Kilmer, Ms. Davids of Kansas, Ms. Perez,
Ms. Craig, Mr. Cole, Mr. Kildee, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mr.
Simpson, Ms. Strickland, and Mr. Vasquez) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in
addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to provide for
advancements in public safety services to Indian communities, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement
Act''.
SEC. 2. TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
The Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act (25 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after section 4 the following:
``SEC. 4A. TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
``(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, law
enforcement officers of any Indian Tribe that has contracted or
compacted any or all Federal law enforcement functions through the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301
et seq.) shall have the authority to enforce Federal law within the
area under the Tribe's jurisdiction, if--
``(1) the Tribal officers involved have--
``(A) completed training that is comparable to that
of an employee of the Office of Justice Services of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs who is providing the same
services in Indian country, as determined by the Deputy
Bureau Director of the Office of Justice Services of
the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Deputy Bureau
Director's designee;
``(B) passed an adjudicated background
investigation equivalent to that of an employee of the
Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs who is providing the same services in Indian
country; and
``(C) received a certification from the Office of
Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as
described in subsection (c); and
``(2) the Tribe has adopted policies and procedures that
meet or exceed those of the Office of Justice Services of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs for the same program, service,
function, or activity.
``(b) While acting under the authority granted by the Secretary
through an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) contract or compact, a Tribal law enforcement
officer shall be deemed to be a Federal law enforcement officer for the
purposes of--
``(1) sections 111 and 1114 of title 18, United States
Code;
``(2) consideration as an eligible officer under subchapter
III of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code;
``(3) subchapter III of chapter 83 and subchapter III of
chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code; and
``(4) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code (commonly
known as the `Federal Tort Claims Act').
``(c)(1) Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall--
``(A) develop procedures for the credentialing of Tribal
officers under this section, independent of section 5, to
provide confirmation that Tribal officers meet minimum
certification standards and training requirements for Indian
country peace officers, as prescribed by the Secretary; and
``(B) promulgate guidance, in consultation with Indian
Tribes, to otherwise implement the provisions of this section.
``(2) Tribal law enforcement officers who choose to attend a State
or other equivalent training program approved by the Deputy Bureau
Director of the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, or the Deputy Bureau Director's designee, rather than attend
the Indian Police Academy, shall be required to attend the IPA Bridge
Program, or an equivalent program, prior to receiving a certification
under this subsection.''.
SEC. 3. OVERSIGHT, COORDINATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
The Attorney General, acting through the Deputy Attorney General,
shall coordinate and provide oversight for all Department of Justice
activities, responsibilities, functions, and programs to ensure a
coordinated approach for public safety in Indian communities,
accountability, and compliance with Federal law, including--
(1) the timely submission of reports to Congress;
(2) robust training, as required under Federal law and as
needed or requested by Indian Tribes or Federal and State
officials relating to--
(A) public safety in Indian communities; and
(B) training outcomes demonstrating a better
understanding of public safety approaches in Indian
communities;
(3) the updating and improvements to United States attorney
operational plans;
(4) comprehensive evaluation and analysis of data,
including approaches to collecting better data, relating to
public safety in Indian communities; and
(5) other duties or responsibilities as needed to improve
public safety in Indian communities.
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