House Committee Unanimously Approves Cramer's Native American Children's Safety Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Kevin Cramer made the following comments after the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs unanimously passed H.R. 1168, the Native American Children's Safety Act. Under the legislation, a background check must be conducted on all adults living in a potential foster home before a tribal court can place any child there. This must include a National Instant Criminal Background Check as well as a search of child abuse or neglect registries maintained by the tribe or any state the individual has lived in the preceding five years. Any adult 18 years or older who moves into the home after placement of the child would also be required to undergo the same thorough check. A tribal foster care placement would be prohibited if a search reveals that a covered individual has been convicted of felony spousal or child abuse, felony child neglect, felony drug conviction, or a violent felony.

"While uniform standards for foster homes exist at the national level, Native American tribes have a complex and uneven series of procedures and guidelines which vary from tribe to tribe," said Cramer. "This bill makes sure there are adequate background checks for every person who lives in a foster home before placing a child there. "

During hearings on this issue last session, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Larry Roberts, as well as Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), acknowledged Cramer's efforts to protect native children.

"Congressman Cramer, I want to thank you for your leadership on this issue. Safety of native children is of utmost priority for the department and we've talked about this before in the past. We strongly support the principles of your legislation," said Roberts during the hearing.

Source