I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8387 
To amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to provide for advance-
ments in public safety services to Indian communities, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 14, 2022 
Mr. NEWHOUSE (for himself and Mr. KILMER) 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 provi-
sions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Indian Law Enforcement Reform Act to pro-
vide for advancements in public safety services to Indian 
communities, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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’’. 
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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 enforce-
ment 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 Director of the Office of 
Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
or the Director’s designee; 
‘‘(B) passed an adjudicated background in-
vestigation equivalent to that of an employee of 
the Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs who is providing the same serv-
ices in Indian country; and 
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‘‘(C) received a certification from the Of-
fice of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, as described in subsection (c); and 
‘‘(2) the Tribe has adopted policies and proce-
dures that meet or exceed those of the Office of Jus-
tice 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 Edu-
cation 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 sub-
chapter 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’). 
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‘‘(c)(1) Not later than 12 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 offi-
cers meet minimum certification standards and 
training requirements for Indian country peace offi-
cers, 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 ap-
proved by the Director of the Office of Justice Services 
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or the Director’s des-
ignee, 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 
ACCOUNT-
ABILITY. 
The Attorney General, acting through the Deputy At-
torney General, shall coordinate and provide oversight for 
all Department of Justice activities, responsibilities, func-
tions, and programs to ensure a coordinated approach for 
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public safety in Indian communities, accountability, and 
compliance with Federal law, including— 
(1) the timely submission of reports to Con-
gress; 
(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 ap-
proaches 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. 
Æ 
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