# BADGES for Native Communities Act

This bill creates a new federal program to issue special identification badges to Native American tribal members and other Indigenous people. The badges would serve as official documentation that helps people prove their Native American heritage and tribal affiliation to federal agencies and other organizations. Think of it as a standardized ID system that makes it easier for Native Americans to access services and benefits they're entitled to under federal law.

The main purpose is to streamline how Native Americans access various federal programs and services. Right now, tribal members often have to go through complicated processes to prove their identity and tribal membership when applying for healthcare, education benefits, housing assistance, or other federal programs. These badges would create a consistent, nationally recognized form of identification that tribal governments could issue to their members, making it faster and simpler for people to get the services they qualify for. It also helps prevent fraud by creating an official verification system that federal agencies can trust.

The bill affects Native American tribal members who want a standardized way to prove their identity and heritage, as well as federal agencies that administer programs serving Indigenous communities. Tribal governments would have the authority to issue these badges to their members according to standards set by the federal government. For everyday people, this means less paperwork and fewer delays when accessing federal benefits, healthcare, or other services. It's particularly helpful for people who live far from tribal offices or who need quick verification of their status for employment, education, or other purposes.

BADGES for Native Communities Act

Cortez Masto, Catherine

Bridging Agency Data Gaps and Ensuring Safety for Native Communities Act or the BADGES for Native Communities ActThis bill revises federal policies and procedures related to information sharing, reporting, and investigating cases of missing, unidentified,&nbsp;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,&nbsp;response times, and processing procedures and practices of federal law enforcement agencies.