BADGES for Native Communities Act
Senate Passes the BADGES for Native Communities Act
The BADGES for Native Communities Act has passed the Senate and is currently being held at the desk. It is actively moving through the legislative process as it awaits further action. There is no companion bill currently listed for this legislation.
Legislative Progress
This bill passed the Senate with strong support and addresses a non-partisan issue that has seen similar successful legislation in recent years.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Federal law enforcement employees working in Indian country benefit from several provisions. The bill pushes agencies to identify staffing gaps and unmet needs, which could lead to more hiring and less overwork. BIA officers also gain access to culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs, addressing burnout in a high-stress field with historically poor support.
“to ensure that Federal training materials and culturally appropriate mental health and wellness programs are locally or regionally available to law enforcement officers working for the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian Affairs or an Indian Tribe”
Disabilities
State Impacts
Milestones
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
The House has received the Senate-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8685; text: CR S8685-8687)
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
BADGES for Native Communities Act Reintroduced in the US Senate
Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and John Hoeven reintroduced the bipartisan BADGES Act to strengthen Tribal law enforcement. The bill creates Tribal facilitator positions for missing persons cases, requires reports on law enforcement needs, and allows the BIA to conduct its own background checks.

‘Let’s get ‘em all done’: Senate committee moves quickly on Indian Country legislation
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs advanced the BADGES for Native Communities Act (S. 390) as part of a larger package of 26 bills. The legislation focuses on requiring federal law enforcement to report on cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people and addressing agency data gaps.

DOJ to Surge Investigators to Aid Tribal Agencies With Unsolved Cases
The Department of Justice announced a surge of resources under Operation Not Forgotten 2026 to address violent crime and missing persons in Indian Country. This executive action aligns with the legislative goals of the BADGES Act to improve inter-agency coordination and solve MMIP cases.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
BADGES for Native Communities Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(3)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.