Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2017

To amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections of Native American tangible cultural heritage, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2017 2. Enhanced protections for Native American cultural heritage (a) Enhanced penalties Section 1170 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 5 years 10 years (b) Prohibition of exporting Native American cultural heritage Chapter 53 1171. Illegal exportation of Native American cultural heritage (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Archaeological resource The term archaeological resource 16 U.S.C. 470bb (2) Cultural item The term cultural item 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3) Native American The term Native American 25 U.S.C. 3001 (b) Prohibition It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly export or otherwise transport from the United States any— (1) Native American cultural item that was obtained in violation of section 1170 of this title or section 3(c) of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3002(c) (2) Native American archaeological resource that was obtained in violation of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 ( 16 U.S.C. 470aa (3) Native American object of antiquity that was obtained in violation of section 1866(b) of this title. (c) Penalty Any person who violates subsection (b) shall— (1) in the case of a first violation under this section, be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both; and (2) in the case of a second or subsequent violation under this section, be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. . (c) Regulations The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry out the amendments made by this section. (d) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 53 1171. Illegal exportation of Native American cultural heritage. . 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2) Native American The term Native American 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3) Native Hawaiian organization The term Native Hawaiian organization 25 U.S.C. 3001 (4) Secretary The term Secretary (5) Tangible cultural heritage The term tangible cultural heritage (A) Native American human remains; or (B) culturally, historically, or ar­chae­ol­o­gi­cal­ly significant objects, resources, patrimony, or other items that are affiliated with a Native American culture. 4. Voluntary return of tangible cultural heritage (a) Policy It shall be the policy of the United States to encourage the voluntary return of tangible cultural heritage to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations by collectors, dealers, and other individuals and non-Federal organizations that hold such heritage. (b) Liaison The Secretary and the Secretary of State shall each designate a liaison to facilitate the voluntary return of tangible cultural heritage. (c) Trainings and workshops The individuals listed in subsection (b) shall hold trainings and workshops for representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and collectors, dealers, and other individuals and non-Federal organizations regarding the voluntary return of tangible cultural heritage. (d) Referrals (1) In general The Secretary shall refer individuals and organizations to one or more Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations with a likely cultural affiliation to tangible cultural heritage for the purpose of facilitating the voluntary return of tangible cultural heritage. (2) Referral representatives The Secretary shall compile a list of representatives from each Indian tribe and Native Hawaiian organization for purposes of referral under paragraph (1). (3) Consultation The Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations that possess unique expertise in their cultural heritage before making a referral under paragraph (1). (4) Third-party experts The Secretary may utilize knowledgeable experts from regional academic institutions and museums to aid in making determinations regarding to which Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization an individual or organization should be referred under paragraph (1). 5. Tribal working group (a) In general The Secretary shall convene a tribal working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to advise the Federal Government. (b) Recommendations The tribal working group convened under subsection (a) may provide recommendations regarding— (1) the return of tangible cultural heritage by collectors, dealers, and other individuals and non-Federal organizations that hold such tangible cultural heritage; (2) the elimination of illegal commerce in tangible cultural heritage in the United States and foreign markets; and (3) the repatriation to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations of tangible cultural heritage that have been illegally removed or trafficked in violation of Federal law. (c) Agency and committee assistance (1) In general The agencies and committees described in paragraph (2) shall provide information and assistance to the tribal working group convened under subsection (a) upon request by the tribal working group. (2) Agencies and committees The agencies and committees described in this paragraph are the following: (A) The Department of the Interior. (B) The Department of Justice. (C) The Department of Homeland Security. (D) The Department of State. (E) The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee established under section 8 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act ( 25 U.S.C. 3006 (F) The Cultural Property Advisory Committee established under section 306 of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2605 (G) Any other relevant Federal agency.

Summary: Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2017 This bill amends the federal criminal code to double the maximum prison term (from 5 years to 10 years) for persons convicted of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit the human remains of Native Americans or cultural items obtained in violation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The bill prohibits the export of Native American cultural items that were obtained in violation of the Act, Native American archaeological resources that were obtained in violation of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, or Native American objects of antiquity that were obtained in violation of the criminal code. Violators may be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both. The Department of the Interior and the Department of State must each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items. Interior must refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains or cultural items. In addition, Interior must convene a tribal working group consisting of representatives of tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains or cultural items.