The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a business meeting on Thursday to consider two pieces of legislation.

The first item on the agenda is S.1635, the 7th Generation Promise: Indian Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 2009. The bill establishes a telemental health demonstration project to improve mental health services for Indian youth.

The committee held a hearing on the bill in September. Witnesses, including two from the federal government, said telemedicine programs can help youth on reservations.

The second item on the agenda is S.1790, the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2009. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, introduced the bill in October and says it's a streamlined version of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The business meeting takes place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. It will be followed by an oversight hearing on drug smuggling and gang activity in Indian Country.

The business meeting portion will not be archived for webcast.

Committee Notices:
BUSINESS MEETING on pending committee issues (November 19, 2009) OVERSIGHT HEARING to examine drug smuggling and gang activity in Indian country (November 19, 2009)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs meeting, hearing this week (11/16)
Dorgan renews push for Indian health care bill (10/19)
Dorgan introduces updated version of health bill (10/15)
Dorgan readies 'streamlined' version of IHCIA (10/13)