Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
As we previously alerted, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), who are the Vice Chair and Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA), respectively, recently released a discussion draft of Title IX of the Senate reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which governs Tribal provisions within the bill. The discussion draft contains the following provisions:
- Restores Tribal criminal jurisdiction in crimes against children and law enforcement, as well as sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking;
- Creates a reimbursement program for Tribal Nations exercising Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction;
- Codifies, funds, and ensures all Tribal Nations can participate in the Tribal Access Program (TAP), which facilitates access access to the National Crime Information Center database for law enforcement; and
- Clarifies that VAWA's Tribal provisions apply in the states of Maine and Alaska.
Yesterday, USET SPF submitted testimony for the record of SCIA's December 8th hearing on VAWA Title IX in which we express support for the discussion draft, while noting that many of our other member Tribal Nations, in addition to those with homelands adjacent to Maine, are submit to restrictive settlement acts that states may use to challenge the full application of VAWA and other laws. As a reminder, comments on the discussion draft are due December 22nd to draft_title_comments@indian.senate.gov. Member Tribal Nations that are subject to restrictive settlement acts may wish to comment.
A reauthorization of VAWA has already passed the House. USET SPF will continue to monitor the progress of a reauthorization in the Senate and will provide updates as they develop.
For more information, please contact Liz Malerba, USET SPF Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lmalerba@usetinc.org.
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