The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday, June 25, on S.797, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009.

S.797 was introduced on April 2. The bill encourages more prosecution of crime in Indian Country, increases penalties for reservation offenders, reauthorizes key programs and establishes consistent protocols to address sexual violence.

A similar version was introduced during the 110th Congress. The Bush administration opposed a provision that would require the Department of Justice to share information about the number of crimes it fails to prosecute in Indian Country.

The hearing takes place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. According to the committee website, it will be broadcast on the Internet.

Committee Notice:
HEARING on S. 797, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2009 (June 25, 2009)

SCIA Press Release:
LEGISLATION WOULD STRENGTHEN LAW & ORDER IN INDIAN COUNTRY (April 3, 2009)

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Tribal law and order bill introduced in Senate (4/6)