[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4976 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4976
To improve outcomes for Native children by empowering Tribal
communities, strengthening families, and increasing access to critical
services, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 14, 2026
Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian
Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve outcomes for Native children by empowering Tribal
communities, strengthening families, and increasing access to critical
services, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Native Children's
Commission Implementation Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions of Indian Tribe and Tribal organization.
TITLE I--JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
Sec. 101. Advisory Committee on Tribal Juvenile Justice.
Sec. 102. Department of Justice and DOI study on the number and status
of Native American missing children cases.
Sec. 103. Alaska Native Victim Services Fund at the Denali Commission.
Sec. 104. Alaska Native and American Indian family violence,
prevention, services, and treatment.
Sec. 105. Tiwahe Initiative.
Sec. 106. Tribal justice support.
TITLE II--IMPROVING RESEARCH AND DATA
Sec. 201. National Institutes of Health Tribal Health Research Office.
Sec. 202. Improving Native infant and maternal health data.
TITLE III--IMPROVING THE PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF NATIVE
CHILDREN
Sec. 301. Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Advisory
Committee.
Sec. 302. Department of Health and Human Services study on the
intersection of maternal mortality and
domestic violence.
Sec. 303. Grants to grow the perinatal workforce for Tribal
communities.
Sec. 304. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Tribal Technical Advisory Committee.
Sec. 305. Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee.
Sec. 306. Community mental health services grants for Indian Tribes and
Tribal organizations.
Sec. 307. Substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery grants for
Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
Sec. 308. Self-governance demonstration program for behavioral health
programs for Indian Tribes.
TITLE IV--ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION
Sec. 401. Native Children's Environmental Health Protection Task Force.
Sec. 402. Integration of environmental health within primary care.
TITLE V--IMPROVING NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES
Sec. 501. Tribal pilot programs for SNAP administration.
Sec. 502. Child nutrition programs Tribal pilot projects.
TITLE VI--ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES
Sec. 601. Program for housing assistance for homeless American Indians
and Alaska Natives.
Sec. 602. Program for housing assistance for homeless Native Hawaiians.
Sec. 603. Tribal Continuum of Care Participation Grant Program.
Sec. 604. Improving Tribal participation in the Continuum of Care
Program.
TITLE VII--IMPROVING THE WORKFORCE FOR FAMILIES
Sec. 701. Strengthening the 477 Initiative.
Sec. 702. Interagency agreement to evaluate on-site child care in
affordable housing.
Sec. 703. Set-aside of Child Care and Development Block Grant funds for
Indian Tribes.
Sec. 704. Requirement of consultation with Indian Tribes.
Sec. 705. Native American Advisory Committee on Early Childhood.
TITLE VIII--EDUCATION
Sec. 801. Supporting Native American teacher training and teacher
development.
Sec. 802. Pilot program for Native teacher apprentices.
Sec. 803. Supporting after-school programs for Native American
children.
Sec. 804. Promoting and strengthening Native languages.
Sec. 805. Addressing the indirect administrative costs of Indian
education programs.
Sec. 806. Increasing access to Head Start for Native children.
Sec. 807. Addressing homelessness in BIE schools.
Sec. 808. Bureau of Indian Education Behavioral Health and Wellness
Program.
Sec. 809. Alaska Tribal School Program.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS OF INDIAN TRIBE AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.
In this Act, the terms ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization''
have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
TITLE I--JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES
SEC. 101. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL JUVENILE JUSTICE.
Part A of title II of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention Act (34 U.S.C. 11111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 224. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL JUVENILE JUSTICE.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee'
means the Advisory Committee on Tribal Juvenile Justice
established pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
``(2) Relevant congressional committees.--The term
`relevant congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
``(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the
Senate; and
``(C) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House
of Representatives.
``(3) Urban indian organization.--The term `urban Indian
organization' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General, acting through the
Administrator, shall establish a Federal advisory committee, to
be known as the `Advisory Committee on Tribal Juvenile
Justice'.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Advisory Committee shall
be to provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator,
the Attorney General, and Congress on all matters relating to
juvenile justice, delinquency prevention and system improvement
with respect to Tribal youth.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall be
composed of not fewer than 16 members, of whom--
``(A) 1 shall be from a national organization
focused on Tribal juvenile justice issues;
``(B) 1 shall be from an organization focused on
juvenile issues in Native Hawaiian communities;
``(C) 1 shall be from an urban Indian organization;
``(D) 12 shall be members of Indian Tribes from
diverse geographic regions; and
``(E) 1 shall be a Tribal youth with experience
with the juvenile justice system.
``(2) Appointments.--The Administrator shall appoint
members to the Advisory Committee from among nominations
submitted by Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
``(3) Qualifications.--To the maximum extent feasible, the
Administrator shall ensure that members of the Committee--
``(A) have experience in Tribal juvenile justice
systems, including--
``(i) courts; and
``(ii) law enforcement and child welfare
agencies; or
``(B) have experience in juvenile justice,
delinquency prevention, behavioral health, or youth
services.
``(4) Prohibition.--A member of the Advisory Committee may
not be an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
``(5) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Each member if the Advisory
Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
``(B) Reappointment.--A member of the Advisory
Committee may be reappointed for not more than 1
additional 3-year term.
``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Advisory
Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment.
``(d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
``(1) evaluate the effectiveness of programs and grants
administered by the Office as those programs and grants relate
to Tribal youth;
``(2) identify barriers to the provision of services to
Tribal youth, including jurisdictional, funding, and data
challenges;
``(3) make recommendations to improve coordination between
Federal, State, and Tribal justice systems;
``(4) provide input on the development of regulations,
guidance, and policy relating to Tribal juvenile justice;
``(5) make recommendations for improving data collection
and research relating to Tribal youth;
``(6) make recommendations to improve access to and
resources for aftercare programs for Tribal youth who have been
released from detention;
``(7) make recommendations to strengthen Tribal capacity to
operate juvenile justice programs; and
``(8) coordinate with the Federal Advisory Committee on
Juvenile Justice, the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office of Tribal Justice.
``(e) Meetings.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall meet in person not
less frequently than twice annually.
``(2) Agency representation.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Administrator and the members of the
Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention shall attend the meetings of the Advisory Committee.
``(f) Reporting.--
``(1) Committee reports.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, and not less frequently than
biennially thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to
the Administrator and the relevant congressional committees a
report--
``(A) on the activities of the Committee;
``(B) on juvenile justice challenges affecting
Tribal communities; and
``(C) that includes recommendations for legislative
and administrative actions.
``(2) Agency response.--Not later than 45 days after the
date on which the Administrator receives a report under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall submit a written
response to--
``(A) the Advisory Committee; and
``(B) the relevant congressional committees.
``(g) Compensation.--
``(1) In general.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall
serve without compensation.
``(2) Reimbursement.--Members of the Advisory Committee
shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other
necessary expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the
duties of the Advisory Committee.
``(h) Support.--At the request of the Advisory Committee, the
Administrator shall appoint such administrative and staff support to
the Advisory Committee to enable the Advisory Committee to carry out
the duties of the Advisory Committee.
``(i) Exemption From FACA Provision.--Section 1013 of title 5,
United States Code, shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 102. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND DOI STUDY ON THE NUMBER AND STATUS
OF NATIVE AMERICAN MISSING CHILDREN CASES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary
of the Interior, shall conduct Tribal consultation and, after
conducting that consultation, complete a study on the number and status
of cases involving Native American missing children and youth,
including the scope and context of those cases that are connected to
juvenile justice system involvement, child welfare system involvement,
and non-custodial parent abduction, including domestic violence, sexual
assault, homicide, drug activity, stalking, and human trafficking.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the
study required under subsection (a) is completed, the Attorney General,
in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, shall submit to the
Committees on Indian Affairs and the Judiciary of the Senate, the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives, and the
Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs of the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the results of
the study completed under subsection (a), which shall include
recommendations, as appropriate, relating to reporting gaps, barriers
to reporting, and how to improve reporting and training with respect to
missing Native American children and youth.
(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the requirements under this
section, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of
the Interior, shall coordinate with the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children to incorporate existing data.
SEC. 103. ALASKA NATIVE VICTIM SERVICES FUND AT THE DENALI COMMISSION.
The Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; Public Law
105-277) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 312 as section 313; and
(2) by inserting after section 311 the following:
``SEC. 312. ALASKA NATIVE VICTIM SERVICES FUND.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee'
means the Alaska Native Victim Services Fund Advisory Committee
established under subsection (d)(1).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
nonprofit organization serving victims of crime in
predominantly Indian communities.
``(3) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Alaska Native Victim
Services Fund established by subsection (b).
``(b) Alaska Native Victim Services Fund.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States the Alaska Native Victim Services Fund, to
be administered by the Federal Cochairperson.
``(2) Source and use of amounts in fund.--
``(A) In general.--The Fund shall consist of--
``(i) such amounts as are appropriated to
the Fund; and
``(ii) such amounts as are received from
any payment made with respect to any loan made
from the Fund.
``(B) Uses.--The Federal Cochairperson shall use
amounts in the Fund to carry out the purposes of this
section.
``(c) Loans and Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Federal Cochairperson shall provide
grants and loans from the Fund to eligible entities under such
terms and conditions the Federal Cochairperson may prescribe.
``(2) Purpose.--A grant or loan under paragraph (1) shall
be for the purpose of providing grants to eligible entities to
provide victim services for Alaska Native victims of crime,
including for physical infrastructure to support victim
services, including housing construction and repair and
rehabilitation or improvement projects of existing facilities.
``(3) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the
Federal Cochairperson shall--
``(A) ensure that eligible entities who submit
applications for assistance under this section are
provided reasonable flexibility in proposing and
implementing culturally appropriate programs to serve
Alaska Native victims of crime; and
``(B) to the extent practicable, coordinate with
other Federal funding sources and Tribal programs to
reduce duplication and promote efficiency.
``(4) Technical assistance.--The Federal Cochairperson
shall provide, or contract with public or private organizations
to provide, information, advice, and technical assistance with
respect to the construction, rehabilitation, and operation by
eligible entities of facilities and housing for Alaska Native
victims of crime under this section.
``(d) Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--The Federal Cochairperson shall
establish an Alaska Native Victim Services Fund Advisory
Committee.
``(2) Members.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed of
9 members, to be appointed by the Federal Cochairperson,
including--
``(A) a representative of an Alaska Native Tribe;
``(B) a representative of a Tribal organization
that provides victim services;
``(C) a representative of the Alaska Native Women's
Resource Center; and
``(D) an Alaska Native survivor.
``(3) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet not less
frequently than annually.
``(4) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
``(A) review criteria to receive a grant or loan
from the Fund under subsection (c);
``(B) assess the effectiveness of this section;
``(C) identify service gaps in carrying out this
section;
``(D) recommend priorities on which to focus in
carrying out this section;
``(E) advise on accountability measures to ensure
that the Fund remains responsive to Alaska Native
communities and survivors; and
``(F) advise on mechanisms for ongoing community
input, including annual regional listening sessions and
survivor feedback.
``(5) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Federal Cochairperson shall consult with the Advisory Committee
before establishing or modifying funding criteria, developing
program guidelines, or making significant policy changes.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Fund $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027
through 2032.''.
SEC. 104. ALASKA NATIVE AND AMERICAN INDIAN FAMILY VIOLENCE,
PREVENTION, SERVICES, AND TREATMENT.
(a) Tribe, Tribal, and Tribally.--The Family Violence Prevention
and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking ``tribe'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Tribe'';
(2) by striking ``tribes'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Tribes'';
(3) by striking ``tribal'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Tribal''; and
(4) by striking ``tribally'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Tribally''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 302 of the Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10402) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``(25 U.S.C. 450b)'' and
inserting ``(25 U.S.C. 5304)'';
(2) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
``(11) Native hawaiian; native hawaiian organization.--The
terms `Native Hawaiian' and `Native Hawaiian organization' have
the meanings given such terms in section 6207 of the Native
Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (15); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:
``(15) Tribal domestic violence coalition.--The term
`Tribal Domestic Violence Coalition' means an established
nonprofit, nongovernmental Indian organization, Alaska Native
organization, or Native Hawaiian organization recognized by the
Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice
that--
``(A) provides education, support, and technical
assistance to member Indian service providers, Native
Hawaiian organizations, or the Native Hawaiian
community in a manner that enables the member
providers, organizations, or communities to establish
and maintain culturally appropriate services, including
shelter and supportive services designed to assist
Indian or Native Hawaiian victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence and the children
and dependents of such victims; and
``(B) is comprised of board and general members who
are representative of--
``(i) the member service providers,
organizations, or communities described in
subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the Tribal communities or Native
Hawaiian communities in which the services are
being provided.''.
(c) National Resource Centers and Training and Technical Assistance
Centers.--Section 310 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services
Act (42 U.S.C. 10410) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``under this title and reserved under section
303(a)(2)(C)'' and inserting ``under section 303 and
made available to carry out this section'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``; and''
and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``; and''
and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) an Alaska Native Tribal resource
center on domestic violence, to reduce Tribal
disparities; and
``(iv) a Native Hawaiian resource center on
domestic violence, to reduce Native Hawaiian
disparities; and''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(i) by striking ``(including Alaska
Native)''; and
(ii) by striking ``subsection (b)(3)'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)(5)'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i), by striking ``10
U.S.C. 3796gg-10 note'' and inserting
``34 U.S.C. 10452 note'';
(II) in clause (ii), by striking
``10 U.S.C. 3796gg-10 note'' and
inserting ``34 U.S.C. 10452 note''; and
(III) in clause (iii)--
(aa) by striking ``Native
Hawaiians that'' and inserting
``Native Hawaiians who''; and
(bb) by inserting ``the
Office for Victims of Crime
and'' after ``Human Services,
and'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(5);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Alaska native tribal resource center.--In accordance
with subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to an
eligible entity for an Alaska Native Tribal resource center on
domestic violence to reduce Tribal disparities, which shall--
``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical
assistance and training resources to Indian Tribes and
Tribal organizations, specifically designed to enhance
the capacity of the Tribes and organizations to respond
to family violence, domestic violence, and dating
violence and the findings of section 901 and purposes
in section 902 of the Violence Against Women and
Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (34
U.S.C. 10452 note);
``(B) coordinate all projects and activities with
the national resource center described in paragraph
(1)(B);
``(C) coordinate with the projects and activities
of that center that involve working with non-Tribal
State and local governments to enhance their capacity
to understand the unique needs of Alaska Natives;
``(D) provide comprehensive community education and
prevention initiatives relating to family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence in a culturally
sensitive and relevant manner; and
``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal
agencies, offices, and grantees that address the needs
of Alaska Natives who experience family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence, including the
Office of Justice Services of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, the Indian Health Service, and the Office for
Victims of Crime and the Office on Violence Against
Women of the Department of Justice.
``(4) Native hawaiian resource center.--In accordance with
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall award a grant to an
eligible entity for a Native Hawaiian resource center on
domestic violence to reduce Native Hawaiian disparities, which
shall--
``(A) offer a comprehensive array of technical
assistance and training resources to Native Hawaiian
organizations, specifically designed to enhance the
capacity of the Native Hawaiian organizations to
respond to family violence, domestic violence, and
dating violence;
``(B) coordinate all projects and other activities
with the national resource center described in
paragraph (1)(B);
``(C) coordinate all projects and other activities,
with State and local governments, that involve working
with the State and local governments, to enhance their
capacity to understand the unique needs of Native
Hawaiians;
``(D) provide comprehensive community education and
prevention initiatives relating to family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence in a culturally
sensitive and relevant manner; and
``(E) coordinate activities with other Federal
agencies, offices, and grantees that address the needs
of Native Hawaiians who experience family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence, including the
Office for Victims of Crime and the Office on Violence
Against Women of the Department of Justice.''; and
(D) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``nontribal'' and inserting ``non-Tribal''; and
(ii) by striking ``(including Alaska
Natives)'' each place it appears; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``42 U.S.C.
3796gg-10 note'' each place it appears and inserting
``34 U.S.C. 10452 note'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(6);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Alaska native tribal resource center on domestic
violence.--To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection
(b)(3), an entity shall be a Tribal organization, or a
nonprofit private organization that focuses primarily on issues
of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence
within Indian Tribes, in Alaska that submits information to the
Secretary demonstrating--
``(A) experience working with Indian Tribes, and
Tribal organizations, in Alaska to respond to family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence and
the findings of section 901 of the Violence Against
Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of
2005 (Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C. 10452 note);
``(B) experience providing Indian Tribes, and
Tribal organizations, in Alaska with assistance in
developing Tribally based prevention and intervention
services addressing family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence and safety for American Indian and
Alaska Native women consistent with the purposes of
section 902 of the Violence Against Women and
Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-162; 34 U.S.C. 10452 note);
``(C) strong support for the entity's designation
as the Alaska Native Tribal resource center on domestic
violence from advocates working with Indian Tribes in
Alaska to address family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence and the safety of Alaska Native
women;
``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in
assisting Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations, in
Alaska with prevention and intervention services
addressing family violence, domestic violence, and
dating violence; and
``(E) the capacity to serve geographically diverse
Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations, in Alaska.
``(5) Native hawaiian resource center.--To be eligible to
receive a grant under subsection (b)(4), an entity shall be a
Native Hawaiian organization, or a nonprofit private
organization that focuses primarily on issues of family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence within the
Native Hawaiian community, that submits information to the
Secretary demonstrating--
``(A) experience working with Native Hawaiian
organizations to respond to family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence;
``(B) experience providing Native Hawaiian
organizations with assistance in developing prevention
and intervention services addressing family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence and safety for
Native Hawaiian women;
``(C) strong support for the entity's designation
as the Native Hawaiian resource center on domestic
violence from advocates working with Native Hawaiian
organizations to address family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence and the safety of Native
Hawaiian women;
``(D) a record of demonstrated effectiveness in
assisting Native Hawaiian organizations with prevention
and intervention services addressing family violence,
domestic violence, and dating violence; and
``(E) the capacity to serve geographically diverse
Native Hawaiian communities and organizations.''; and
(D) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``subsection (b)(3)'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)(5)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``(including Alaska Natives)''.
(d) Grants to State Domestic Violence Coalitions.--Section 311(d)
of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10411(d))
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as
paragraphs (5) through (9), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (3) the following:
``(4) collaborating with, as applicable for the State,
Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations (or Alaska Native or
Native Hawaiian groups or communities) to address the needs of
Indian (including Alaska Native) or Native Hawaiian victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, as
applicable in the State;''.
(e) Grants to Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions.--The Family
Violence Prevention and Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after section 311 the following:
``SEC. 311A. GRANTS TO TRIBAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITIONS.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--Beginning with fiscal year 2027, out of
amounts appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities in accordance with
this section.
``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this section, an entity shall be a Tribal Domestic Violence Coalition
that provides services to Indian Tribes.
``(c) Application.--Each Tribal Domestic Violence Coalition
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require. The application submitted by the
coalition for the grant shall provide documentation of the coalition's
work, demonstrating that the coalition--
``(1) meets all the applicable requirements set forth in
this section; and
``(2) has the ability to conduct all activities described
in this section, as indicated by--
``(A) a documented experience in administering
Federal grants to conduct the activities described in
subsection (d); or
``(B) a documented history of activities to further
the purposes of this section set forth in subsection
(d).
``(d) Use of Funds.--A Tribal Domestic Violence Coalition eligible
under subsection (b) that receives a grant under this section may use
the grant funds for administration and operation to further the
purposes of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence
intervention and prevention activities, including--
``(1) working with local Tribal family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence service programs and providers of
direct services to encourage appropriate and comprehensive
responses to family violence, domestic violence, and dating
violence against adults or youth within the Indian Tribes
served, including providing training and technical assistance
and conducting Tribal needs assessments;
``(2) participating in planning and monitoring the
distribution of subgrants and subgrant funds within the State
under section 308(a);
``(3) working in collaboration with Tribal service
providers and community-based organizations to address the
needs of victims of family violence, domestic violence, and
dating violence, and their children and dependents;
``(4) collaborating with, and providing information to,
entities in such fields as housing, health care (including
mental health and substance use disorder care), social welfare,
education, and law enforcement to support the development and
implementation of effective policies;
``(5) supporting the development and implementation of
effective policies, protocols, legislation, codes, and programs
that address the safety and support needs of adult and youth
Tribal victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating
violence;
``(6) encouraging appropriate responses to cases of family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence against adults
or youth, by working with Tribal, State, and Federal judicial
agencies and law enforcement agencies;
``(7) working with Tribal, State, and Federal judicial
agencies, including family law judges, criminal court judges,
child protective service agencies, and children's advocates to
develop appropriate responses to child custody and visitation
issues--
``(A) in cases of child exposure to family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence; or
``(B) in cases in which--
``(i) family violence, domestic violence,
or dating violence is present; and
``(ii) child abuse is present;
``(8) providing information to the public about prevention
of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence
within Indian Tribes;
``(9) assisting Indian Tribes' participation in, and
attendance of, Federal and State consultations on family
violence, domestic violence, or dating violence, including
consultations mandated by the Violence Against Women Act of
1994 (title IV of Public Law 103-322), the Victims of Crime Act
of 1984 (34 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), or this title; and
``(10) providing services described in section 308(b) to
victims of family violence, domestic violence, and dating
violence.
``(e) Reallocation.--If, at the end of the sixth month of any
fiscal year for which sums are made available to carry out this
section, a portion of the available amount has not been awarded to
Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions for grants under this section
because of the failure of such coalitions to meet the requirements for
such grants, then the Secretary shall award such portion, in equal
shares, to Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions that meet such
requirements.''.
(f) National Indian Domestic Violence Hotline Grant.--
(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to increase
the availability of information and assistance to Indian adult
and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence, family and household members of such victims,
and individuals affected by such victimization by supporting a
national, toll-free telephonic and digital hotline to provide
services that are--
(A) informed of Federal Indian law and Tribal laws
impacting Indian victims of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence;
(B) culturally appropriate to Indian adult and
youth victims; and
(C) developed in cooperation with victim services
offered by Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations.
(2) Grant program.--The Family Violence Prevention and
Services Act (42 U.S.C. 10401 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 313 the following:
``SEC. 313A. NATIONAL INDIAN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE GRANT.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award a grant to a Tribal
organization or private, nonprofit entity to maintain the ongoing
operation of a 24-hour, national, toll-free telephonic hotline and
digital services to provide information and assistance to Indian adult
and youth victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating
violence, family and household members of such victims, and other
individuals affected by such victimization.
``(b) Term.--The Secretary shall award a grant under this section
for a period of not more than 5 years.
``(c) Conditions on Payment.--The provision of payments under a
grant awarded under this section shall be subject to annual approval by
the Secretary and subject to the availability of appropriations for
each fiscal year to make the payments.
``(d) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
section, an entity shall be a Tribal organization or a nonprofit
private organization that focuses primarily on issues of family
violence, domestic violence, and dating violence as it relates to
American Indians and Alaska Natives, and submit an application to the
Secretary that shall--
``(1) contain such agreements, assurances, and information,
be in such form, and be submitted in such manner, as the
Secretary shall prescribe;
``(2) include a complete description of the applicant's
plan for the operation of a national Indian domestic violence
hotline and digital services, including descriptions of--
``(A) the training program for advocacy personnel,
including training on the provision of culturally
appropriate services, Federal Indian law and Tribal
laws impacting Indian victims of family violence,
domestic violence, or dating violence, and resources
and referrals for such victims;
``(B) the qualifications of the applicant and the
hiring criteria and qualifications for advocacy
personnel, to ensure that hotline advocates and other
personnel have demonstrated knowledge of Indian legal,
social, and cultural issues, to ensure that the unique
needs of Indian callers and users of digital services
are met;
``(C) the methods for the creation, maintenance,
and updating of a resource database of culturally
appropriate victim services and resources available
from Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations;
``(D) a plan for publicizing the availability of
the national Indian hotline and digital services to
Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence,
and dating violence;
``(E) a plan for providing service to callers and
digital services users with limited English
proficiency, including service through advocacy
personnel who have non-English language capability;
``(F) a plan for facilitating access to hotline and
digital services by persons with disabilities,
including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
or are blind or have visual impairments, and for
training hotline and digital services personnel in
assisting persons with disabilities when those persons
are accessing the hotline and digital services; and
``(G) a plan for providing assistance and referrals
to Indian youth victims of family violence, domestic
violence, and dating violence, which plan may be
carried out through a national Indian youth dating
violence hotline and other digital services and
resources;
``(3) demonstrate recognized expertise providing services,
including information on healthy relationships and referrals
for Indian victims of family violence, domestic violence, or
dating violence and coordinating services with Indian Tribes or
Tribal organizations;
``(4) demonstrate support from Indian victim services
programs, Tribal Domestic Violence Coalitions and Tribal
grantees under this title;
``(5) demonstrate capacity and the expertise to maintain a
domestic violence hotline, digital services and a comprehensive
database of service providers from Indian Tribes or Tribal
organizations;
``(6) demonstrate that the applicant will follow
comprehensive quality assurance practices; and
``(7) contain such other information as the Secretary may
require.
``(e) Indian Hotline Activities.--
``(1) In general.--An entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use funds made available through the grant
for the purpose described in subsection (a), consistent with
paragraph (2).
``(2) Activities.--In establishing and operating the
hotline and digital services, the entity--
``(A) shall contract with a carrier for the use of
a 24-hour toll-free telephone line and an internet
service provider for operating digital services in
accessible formats including TTY and interpreter
services, where applicable;
``(B) shall employ, train (including providing
technology training), and supervise personnel to answer
incoming calls and digital services contacts, provide
counseling, healthy relationship information, and
referral services for Indian or Native Hawaiian callers
and digital services users on a 24-hour-a-day basis,
directly connect callers, and assist digital services
users in connecting to service providers;
``(C) shall assemble and maintain a database of
information relating to services for Indian victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence
to which Indian callers or digital services users may
be referred, including information on the availability
of shelter and supportive services for victims of
family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence;
``(D) shall widely publicize the hotline and
digital services (and, as appropriate, in accessible
formats, including formats compliant with the most
recent Web Content Accessibility Guidelines or
successor guideline as applicable) throughout Indian
Tribes and communities, including--
``(i) national and regional member
organizations of Indian Tribes;
``(ii) Tribal domestic violence services
programs; and
``(iii) Tribal nonprofit victim service
providers;
``(E) at the discretion of the hotline operator or
digital services provider, may provide--
``(i) appropriate assistance and referrals
for family and household members of Indian
victims of family violence, domestic violence,
or dating violence, and Indians affected by the
victimization described in subsection (a); and
``(ii) assistance, or referrals for
counseling or intervention, for identified
Indian perpetrators, including self-identified
perpetrators, of family violence, domestic
violence, or dating violence, but shall not be
required to provide such assistance or
referrals in any circumstance in which the
hotline operator or digital services provider
fears the safety of a victim may be impacted by
an abuser or suspected abuser.
``(f) Reports and Evaluation.--The entity receiving a grant under
this section shall submit a report to the Secretary at such time as
shall be reasonably required by the Secretary. Such report shall
describe the activities that have been carried out with such grant
funds, contain an evaluation of the effectiveness of such activities,
and provide such additional information as the Secretary may reasonably
require.''.
SEC. 105. TIWAHE INITIATIVE.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to strengthen Tribal families and communities;
(2) to reduce the need for out-of-home placements of Indian
children;
(3) to improve coordination among programs and agencies
serving Indian families;
(4) to promote Tribal self-determination in the design and
delivery of family-centered services; and
(5) to expand the availability of the Tiwahe model to
Indian Tribes beyond the pilot sites.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Tiwahe Tribal
Advisory Council established under subsection (g)(1).
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) an Indian Tribe; and
(B) a Tribal organization.
(3) Pilot site.--The term ``pilot site'' means the 10
Tribal sites chosen as participants in the Tiwahe Demonstration
Project carried out by the Bureau of Indian Affairs before the
date of enactment of this Act, including--
(A) the Association of Village Council Presidents
(comprised of 56 federally recognized Alaska Native
Tribes located in 48 villages);
(B) the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort
Belknap Reservation of Montana;
(C) the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona;
(D) the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians,
Minnesota;
(E) the Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota;
(F) the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe;
(G) the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of
the Flathead Reservation;
(H) the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe;
(I) the Oglala Sioux Tribe; and
(J) the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Assistant Secretary for
Indian Affairs.
(5) Self-determination contract.--The term ``self-
determination contract'' has the meaning given the term in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(6) Self-governance compact.--The term ``self-governance
compact'' has the meaning given the term ``compact'' in section
401 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 5361).
(7) Tiwahe initiative.--The term ``Tiwahe Initiative''
means the Tiwahe Initiative established under subsection
(c)(1).
(c) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and carry
out an initiative, to be known as the ``Tiwahe Initiative'', to
support and promote a family-centered delivery model for
integrated community services to improve outcomes for Native
children, families, and communities.
(2) Leadership role of pilot sites.--The pilot sites shall
serve as permanent partners of the Secretary in the
implementation, evaluation, and continued development of the
Tiwahe Initiative.
(d) Eligibility Requirements for Eligible Entities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a process
under which an eligible entity may apply to participate in the
Tiwahe Initiative.
(2) Strategic plan.--As part of the process established
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall require, at a minimum,
the submission of a strategic plan to accomplish the following
goals:
(A) Placing families at the center of all services,
seeking their voice and aspirations and responding to
those aspirations to achieve their potential.
(B) Building relationships of trust with families
to move those families beyond crisis intervention and
help those families achieve medium-term and long-term
goals and outcomes.
(C) Establishing a whole-of-Government response to
effectively meet the needs of families, enabling those
families to become self-governing and thriving
contributors in their communities.
(D) Building Tribal capacity and commitment to
deliver on the governing principles of Tiwahe.
(e) DOI Programs Supporting Tiwahe.--At a minimum, in carrying out
the Tiwahe Initiative, the Secretary shall use the existing programs of
the Department of the Interior that support the pilot sites.
(f) Interdepartmental Expansion Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the
Attorney General, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of
Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of
Transportation, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of
Energy, shall consult with the Council--
(A) to identify additional Federal agencies,
programs, and funding streams that may be used to
further the purposes of the Tiwahe Initiative; and
(B) to develop recommendations for a pilot program
to coordinate and align Federal resources across
Federal agencies to support the objectives of the
Tiwahe Initiative to eligible entities participating in
the Tiwahe Initiative.
(2) Memorandum of understanding.--
(A) In general.--On completion of the consultation
and recommendations required under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of
understanding with such Federal agencies as the
Secretary determines appropriate to carry out a pilot
program, to be known as the ``Tiwahe Initiative
Intergovernmental pilot program'' (referred to in this
subsection as the ``pilot program'').
(B) Requirements.--The memorandum of understanding
entered into under subparagraph (A) shall establish a
framework for interagency coordination, information
sharing, technical assistance, and the coordinated
delivery of Federal services and resources to eligible
entities participating in the Tiwahe Initiative.
(3) Authorization.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot
program for a period of 5 years in accordance with the
memorandum of understanding entered into under paragraph
(2)(A).
(4) Interim report.--Not later than 3 years after the date
on which the pilot program is established under paragraph
(2)(A), the Secretary, in consultation with the Council and the
Federal agencies participating in the memorandum of
understanding entered into under that paragraph, shall submit
to Congress a report describing--
(A) the activities carried out under the pilot
program;
(B) the extent to which the pilot program has
advanced the purposes of the Tiwahe Initiative;
(C) outcomes and lessons learned from interagency
coordination; and
(D) recommendations relating to whether the pilot
program should be continued, expanded, modified, or
made permanent.
(5) Recommendation on continuation.--Not later than 180
days before the date on which the pilot program concludes, the
Secretary, the Council, and the Federal agencies participating
in the memorandum of understanding entered into under paragraph
(2)(A) shall--
(A) jointly evaluate the pilot program; and
(B) submit to Congress a recommendation relating to
the continuation, expansion, modification, or permanent
authorization of the pilot program.
(g) Tiwahe Tribal Advisory Council.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
Tiwahe Tribal Advisory Council.
(2) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of 15
members, to be appointed in accordance with the following:
(A) 5 shall be appointed by the Secretary, of
which--
(i) 1 shall be a Native youth;
(ii) 1 shall be from a national
organization supporting the Tiwahe Initiative;
and
(iii) 3 shall be members of an Indian
Tribe.
(B) 10 shall be appointed by each of the pilot
sites.
(3) Duties.--The Council shall--
(A) advise the Secretary on the implementation,
coordination, and administration of the Tiwahe
Initiative;
(B) provide recommendations to the Secretary to
improve the delivery of Federal programs and services
that support Tribal families, children, and
communities;
(C) identify barriers to interagency coordination
and recommend strategies to improve collaboration among
Federal agencies and eligible entities participating in
the Tiwahe Initiative;
(D) assist the Secretary in identifying existing
Federal programs, funding opportunities, and resources
that may be integrated into the Tiwahe Initiative to
advance the purposes of the Tiwahe Initiative;
(E) provide recommendations to the Secretary with
respect to the selection, design, implementation, and
evaluation of any Tiwahe Initiative pilot program;
(F) consult with Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Tribal service providers with
respect to the effectiveness of programs and services
provided under the Tiwahe Initiative;
(G) review and provide recommendations to the
Secretary with respect to the memorandum of
understanding entered into under subsection (f)(2) to
promote coordinated Federal service delivery;
(H) establish performance measures and recommend
outcome-based metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of
the Tiwahe Initiative and any pilot program carried out
under this section;
(I) identify best practices and successful Tribal
approaches that may be replicated or expanded through
the Tiwahe Initiative; and
(J) submit to the Secretary and Congress such
recommendations as the Council determines appropriate
to advance the purposes of the Tiwahe Initiative.
(4) Term limits.--A member of the Council shall serve for
such number of terms as the Council may prescribe by the bylaws
adopted by the Council at the time of establishment of the
Council, subject to the condition that a member of the Council
may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Council to carry out the
responsibilities of the Council under this section $200,000 for
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
(h) Administration of Funds.--The Secretary shall administer funds
supporting the Tiwahe Initiative through grants, self-determination
contracts, self-governance compacts, or other agreements.
(i) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section diminishes or
otherwise affects--
(1) the sovereign rights of an Indian Tribe;
(2) any treaty or other right of an Indian Tribe; or
(3) the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(j) Treatment of Pilot Sites.--Any pilot site receiving funding or
participating in a Tiwahe Initiative demonstration, pilot project, or
related activity on the date of enactment of this Act shall--
(1) remain eligible to participate in the Tiwahe
Initiative; and
(2) continue to receive funding at not less than the level
provided during the fiscal year preceding the date of enactment
of this Act, subject to the availability of appropriations.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section (other than subsection (g))
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter.
SEC. 106. TRIBAL JUSTICE SUPPORT.
Section 103 of the Indian Tribal Justice Act (25 U.S.C. 3613) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Treatment of Tribes in Public Law 280 States.--
``(1) In general.--In providing base support funding under
this section, the Secretary shall ensure that an Indian tribe
located wholly or partially within a State subject to section
1162 of title 18 and section 1360 of title 28, United States
Code, shall not be denied eligibility for, receive reduced
consideration for, or otherwise be disadvantaged in receiving
assistance under this section on the basis of--
``(A) the exercise of State jurisdiction under
those sections; or
``(B) the absence of, or limited extent of, Indian
country, an Indian reservation, or a Tribal land base.
``(2) Recurring funds.--The Secretary shall make base
support funding under this section available on a recurring
basis through a contract, grant, or agreement entered into
under subsection (a), and not solely as a 1-time or assessment-
based award.
``(3) Savings provision.--Nothing in this subsection shall
reduce, or require the reallocation of, base support funding
otherwise available to any other Indian tribe that is not
located wholly or partially within a State subject to section
1162 of title 18 and section 1360 of title 28, United States
Code.''.
TITLE II--IMPROVING RESEARCH AND DATA
SEC. 201. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TRIBAL HEALTH RESEARCH OFFICE.
Part A of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 404P. TRIBAL HEALTH RESEARCH OFFICE.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office of the
Director of NIH an office, to be known as the `Tribal Health Research
Office' (referred to in this section as the `Office'). The Office shall
be headed by a director, who shall be appointed by the Director of NIH.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Office are--
``(1) the promotion of the Tribal health research programs
of the national research institutes and national centers;
``(2) the coordination of such programs among the national
research institutes and national centers; and
``(3) the coordination of such programs between the
national research institutes and national centers and other
public entities and private entities.
``(c) Duties.--The Director of the Office shall--
``(1) lead and coordinate Tribal health research activities
at the National Institutes of Health;
``(2) disseminate to Tribal communities transparent and
culturally aware information about the National Institutes of
Health and biomedical and behavioral research, including by
overseeing the development of a clearinghouse site on data-
backed culturally derived interventions;
``(3) provide grants to develop, test, and implement
innovative approaches to Native American health, including
culturally based interventions and research on early childhood,
children, and youth, including disparities;
``(4) work to enhance capacity for research in Native and
Tribal communities, including by designating not fewer than 2
employees of the Office to serve as children's funding and data
liaisons for Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations to facilitate access to grants,
research, and capacity building opportunities across the
Federal Government;
``(5) develop a process to ensure that the Office has the
opportunity to provide input in grant review for the national
research institutes and national centers;
``(6) serve as the Executive Secretary of the National
Institutes of Health Tribal Advisory Committee established
under section 404Q; and
``(7) submit to Congress and make publicly available an
annual report that addresses--
``(A) the status of interoperability of Federal
data sets used by Federal agencies that involve Native
peoples;
``(B) the acceptance of traditional ecological
knowledge in Federal research and grantmaking; and
``(C) other issues relating to Tribal health
research and data sovereignty.
``SEC. 404Q. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the
National Institutes of Health an advisory committee, to be
known as the `National Institutes of Health Tribal Advisory
Committee' (referred to in this section as the `Advisory
Committee').
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to
provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary, the
Director of NIH, and the Director of the Tribal Health Research
Office on all matters relating to Tribal health research,
promotion, and coordination.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--
``(A) Required members.--The Advisory Committee
shall be composed of not fewer than 17 members, to be
appointed by the Secretary, of whom--
``(i) 12 shall be Tribal leaders (or their
designees) from each of the 12 regions of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs;
``(ii) 1 shall be a representative of a
Native Hawaiian organization;
``(iii) 2 shall be representatives of an
urban Indian organization; and
``(iv) 2 shall be representatives of Tribal
Epidemiology Centers.
``(B) Optional member.--In addition to the members
required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may
appoint an additional member to serve on the Advisory
Committee, who shall be a representative of Native
youth.
``(2) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint members to
the Advisory Committee from among nominations submitted by
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian
organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
``(3) Qualifications.--To the maximum extent practicable,
the Secretary shall ensure that members of the Advisory
Committee--
``(A) represent diverse geographic regions; and
``(B) have experience in Tribal issues, research,
and theory of data sovereignty and traditional
ecological knowledge and practices.
``(c) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
``(1) advise staff of the National Institutes of Health and
provide feedback on any action or policy of the National
Institutes of Health that will have Tribal implications;
``(2) serve as a forum for Indian Tribes and the National
Institutes of Health to discuss proposals for changes to
policies, regulations, and procedures of the National
Institutes of Health, including research priorities;
``(3) explore opportunities for participation in other
committees or working groups of the National Institutes of
Health;
``(4) respond to the National Institutes of Health on
cultural and technical issues regarding grants and contract
policies and the impact of such policies on Indian Tribes;
``(5) raise pertinent issues to the attention of Tribal
leaders; and
``(6) if appropriate, propose clarifications,
recommendations, and solutions to address issues raised at
Tribal, regional, and national levels, including--
``(A) to increase the accessibility of Federal
datasets containing data relating to Tribal health
disparities;
``(B) to develop data standards and standard
definitions to be used across the Federal Government to
improve the interoperability of Federal datasets
containing data relating to Tribal health;
``(C) to expand opportunities for Native
communities to implement interventions using
traditional Indigenous knowledge and practice-based
evidence with Federal funds;
``(D) to increase opportunities for Federal
agencies and communities to collect strengths-based and
community values-centric data;
``(E) to improve policies for accessing and sharing
data collected relating to Tribal communities; and
``(F) to expand opportunities for the acceptance of
traditional knowledge and cultural interventions that
do not meet the current evidence-based practice
standard of the Federal Government but are known to be
effective by Native communities as practice-based
evidence.
``(d) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet in person not
less frequently than twice annually.
``(e) Agency Representation.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall serve as the
designated Federal officer for the Advisory Committee.
``(2) Executive secretary.--The Director of the Tribal
Health Research Office shall serve as the Executive Secretary
of the Advisory Committee.
``(f) Reporting.--
``(1) Committee reports.--Not less frequently than
annually, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary
and the relevant committees of Congress a report on--
``(A) the activities of the Advisory Committee;
``(B) research, data, and health challenges
affecting Native communities, particularly children and
youth; and
``(C) recommendations for legislative and
administrative actions, if appropriate.
``(2) Agency response.--Not later than 45 days after the
date on which the Secretary receives a report under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall submit a written response to--
``(A) the Advisory Committee; and
``(B) the relevant committees of Congress.
``(g) Compensation.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve
without compensation. Members shall be reimbursed for travel,
subsistence and other necessary expenses incurred by such members in
carrying out the duties of the Advisory Committee.
``(h) Support.--The Secretary shall provide technical and
logistical support to the Advisory Committee.
``(i) FACA Exemption.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code
(commonly known as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act'), shall not
apply to the Advisory Committee.
``(j) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Relevant committees of congress.--The term `relevant
committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the
Senate;
``(B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate;
``(C) the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives; and
``(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
``(2) Urban indian organization.--The term `urban Indian
organization' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 202. IMPROVING NATIVE INFANT AND MATERNAL HEALTH DATA.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Papa ola lokahi.--The term ``Papa Ola Lokahi'' has the
meaning given the term in section 12 of the Native Hawaiian
Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11711).
(2) Urban indian organization.--The term ``urban Indian
organization'' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
(b) Infant and Maternal Health Data Improvement.--The Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in coordination with
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, Papa
Ola Lokahi, and urban Indian organizations, shall--
(1) develop guidance for State and local health agencies to
improve the quality and accuracy of data with respect to Native
American infant and maternal health;
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, Papa Ola
Lokahi, and urban Indian organizations to analyze and address
misclassification and undersampling of Native American infant
and maternal health datasets;
(3) adopt, based on local, statewide, Tribal, and national
best practices, uniform methods for the collection of infant
and maternal health data, including aggregating data over time,
using weighted sampling, and oversampling small populations,
such as Native American communities;
(4) encourage States to enter into data sharing agreements
with Indian Tribes, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, and Papa Ola
Lokahi to improve the quality and accuracy of Native American
infant and maternal health data, including by addressing
misclassification and undersampling of Native American data in
State and local public health data systems;
(5) offer technical assistance to States to support the
adoption, based on local, statewide, Tribal, and national best
practices and in consultation with Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Papa Ola Lokahi,
as appropriate, uniform methods for the collection of infant
and maternal health data, including aggregating data over time,
using weighted sampling, and oversampling small populations,
such as Native American communities; and
(6) conduct Tribal consultations and identify the barriers
to Indian Tribes participating in the programs described in
subsection (d) of section 317K of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 247b-12) and offer technical assistance to Indian
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, and
urban Indian organizations to develop maternal mortality review
committees under such section.
(c) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention shall submit to Congress and make
publicly available a report on infant and maternal health data,
including Native American infant and maternal health data.
TITLE III--IMPROVING THE PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF NATIVE
CHILDREN
SEC. 301. HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TRIBAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 399V-8. HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TRIBAL
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Health Resources and Services Administration an advisory
committee to be known as the `Health Resources and Services
Administration Tribal Advisory Committee' (referred to in this
section as the `Advisory Committee').
``(2) Purpose.--The Advisory Committee shall provide a
forum wherein elected Tribal officials acting in their official
capacity (or designated employees of such officials) and Health
Resources and Service Administration staff exchange views,
information, or advice about emerging public health issues in
Indian country, the identification of urgent public health
resources and service needs, and collaborative approaches to
address the issues and needs of American Indian and Alaska
Native populations. The Advisory Committee shall support, but
not supplant, government-to-government consultation between the
Secretary and Indian Tribes on activities and policies of the
Health Resources and Service Administration that affect Tribes
and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall be
composed of at least 14 members, appointed by the Secretary as
described in paragraph (2), including 1 representative for each
of the 12 service areas of the Indian Health Service, and 1
alternate delegate for each such member.
``(2) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint the members
of the Advisory Committee from nominations submitted by Indian
Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations.
``(3) Qualifications.--Each member of the Advisory
Committee appointed by the Secretary under this subsection
shall--
``(A) be an elected Tribal official, acting in
their official capacity as an elected official of their
Tribe, or be designated by an elected Tribal official,
in that official's elected capacity, with authority to
act on behalf of the Tribal official; and
``(B) have experience in matters related to
programs under the Department of Health and Human
Services.
``(4) Tribal technical advisors.--The Secretary shall
ensure that members of the Advisory Committee have the support
of Tribal technical advisors to support their work on the
Advisory Committee.
``(5) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Each member of the Advisory
Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
``(B) Staggered terms.--The Secretary shall
establish a system of staggered terms to ensure
continuity of the Advisory Committee.
``(C) Reappointment.--Members of the Advisory
Committee may be reappointed for not more than 2
consecutive terms.
``(D) Vacancies.--Vacancies in the membership of
the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment for the remainder of
the term.
``(c) Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall--
``(A) identify evolving issues and barriers to
access, coverage, and delivery of services pursuant to
Health Resources and Service Administration programs to
American Indian and Alaska Native individuals;
``(B) propose to the Secretary and to Congress
clarifications, recommendations, and solutions to
address issues raised at the Tribal, regional, and
national levels;
``(C) serve as a forum for Indian Tribes and the
Health Resources and Service Administration to discuss
changes to regulations, policies, and procedures of the
Health Resources and Service Administration;
``(D) identify priorities and provide advice on
appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation with the
Health Resources and Service Administration on issues
at the Tribal, regional, and national levels; and
``(E) communicate with Indian Tribes in their
respective areas and gather feedback on pertinent
issues.
``(2) Subcommittees.--
``(A) In general.--The Chair and Vice Chair of the
Advisory Committee--
``(i) shall establish a subcommittee on
maternal health; and
``(ii) may establish such other
subcommittees as the Chair and Vice Chair
determine appropriate to carry out the duties
of such committee.
``(B) Duties of subcommittee on maternal health.--
The subcommittee on maternal health established under
subparagraph (A)(i) shall--
``(i) identify emerging issues affecting
maternal health outcomes among American Indian
and Alaska Native women;
``(ii) propose solutions and provide
recommendations, with respect to American
Indian and Alaska Native women--
``(I) to reduce maternal mortality
and severe maternal morbidity;
``(II) to improve access to
maternal health care services;
``(III) to enhance culturally
appropriate care;
``(IV) to strengthen maternal
health data collection and
surveillance;
``(V) to address social
determinants of maternal health;
``(VI) to address postpartum mental
health and substance use disorder
treatment and care; and
``(VII) to recognize the
interconnectedness between maternal
health and child health outcomes,
encouraging initiatives that prioritize
comprehensive care for mothers to
enhance child health;
``(iii) provide guidance on Tribal
consultation for maternal health initiatives;
``(iv) identify interdepartmental barriers
and propose solutions to the Advisory Committee
for coordination between the Health Resources
and Services Administration and--
``(I) the Indian Health Service;
``(II) the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services;
``(III) the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration;
``(IV) State maternal mortality
review committees; and
``(V) Tribal epidemiology centers;
``(v) guide the Advisory Committee in
traditional American Indian and Alaska Native
practices in maternal health services;
``(vi) support emergency preparedness for
maternal health crises in Tribal communities;
and
``(vii) evaluate the progress of the
Department of Health and Human Services in
establishing regional American Indian and
Alaska Native maternal and child mortality
review boards, and provide recommendations for
the establishment of such boards.
``(d) Meetings.--
``(1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall meet in
person not less frequently than twice each year.
``(2) Agency representation.--The Associate Administrator
of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (or a designee) shall
attend each meeting of the subcommittee on maternal health
established under subsection (c)(2)(A)(i).
``(e) Reporting.--
``(1) Committee reports.--Not less frequently than
annually, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary
and the relevant committees of Congress a report on--
``(A) the activities of the Committee;
``(B) public health challenges affecting Tribal
communities;
``(C) maternal health challenges affecting Tribal
communities; and
``(D) recommendations for legislative and
administrative actions.
``(2) Agency response.--Not later than 45 days after
receiving a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit a written response to such report to--
``(A) the Advisory Committee; and
``(B) the relevant committees of Congress.
``(f) Compensation.--
``(1) In general.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall
serve without compensation.
``(2) Reimbursement.--Members of the Advisory Committee
shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other
necessary expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the
duties of the Advisory Committee.
``(g) Support.--The Secretary shall provide technical and
logistical support to the Advisory Committee. Pursuant to subsection
(b)(4), the Secretary shall provide for Tribal technical support from a
national Indian organization, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee, from within authorized appropriations, to carry out this
section.
``(h) Applicability of Faca.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act'),
shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee'
means the Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal
Advisory Committee established under subsection (a).
``(2) Relevant committees of congress.--The term `relevant
committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate;
``(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the
Senate;
``(C) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
``(D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives; and
``(E) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
of Representatives.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 302. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STUDY ON THE
INTERSECTION OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
(a) Study.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in
this section as the ``Secretary''), in consultation with the Attorney
General and the Secretary of the Interior, shall commence Tribal
consultation for purposes of a study on the intersection between
maternal mortality and domestic violence with respect to American
Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian mothers.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs
and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report that describes the results of the study
conducted under subsection (a).
(c) Collaboration.--The consultation for purposes of the study
under subsection (a) shall include consultation with--
(1) Native leaders, Native health experts, Tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations advancing
maternal health and preventing domestic violence; and
(2) other Federal agencies, as appropriate.
SEC. 303. GRANTS TO GROW THE PERINATAL WORKFORCE FOR TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES.
Part D of title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by
inserting after section 757 (42 U.S.C. 294f) the following:
``SEC. 758. TRIBAL PERINATAL WORKFORCE DEMONSTRATION GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to eligible
entities to establish or expand programs to recruit, train, and retain
maternity care providers, mental and behavioral health care providers
acting in accordance with State law, registered dietitians or nutrition
professionals (as such term is defined in section 1861(vv)(2) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(vv)(2))), and other perinatal
health workers to increase access to culturally appropriate perinatal
care in Tribal communities.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Recipients of grants under this section shall
use the grants to grow and diversify the perinatal workforce by--
``(1) establishing accredited schools, programs, medical
residencies, fellowships, or other education and training
opportunities that prepare individuals to practice in an Indian
Health Service facility, Tribal health program, urban Indian
organization, or other Indian health program;
``(2) recruiting, training, and retaining individuals for
the programs described in paragraph (1), including individuals
who--
``(A) are members of an Indian Tribe (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act);
``(B) have demonstrated experience or expertise
working with Tribal communities; or
``(C) have completed training on providing
culturally appropriate care to Tribal communities;
``(3) developing and implementing culturally appropriate
workforce training, curricula, mentorship programs, clinical
experiences, or other educational activities in partnership
with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or urban Indian
organizations;
``(4) supporting education, training, licensing,
certification, or clinical experience for--
``(A) maternity care providers;
``(B) mental and behavioral health care providers
acting in accordance with State law;
``(C) registered dietitians or nutrition
professionals (as defined in section 1861(vv)(2) of the
Social Security Act);
``(D) midwives who meet, at a minimum, the
international definition of a midwife and global
standards for midwifery education as established by the
International Confederation of Midwives;
``(E) perinatal health workers;
``(F) physician assistants;
``(G) advanced practice registered nurses; and
``(H) lactation consultants certified by the
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners;
and
``(5) expanding the capacity of existing accredited
schools, programs, medical residencies, or fellowships
described in paragraph (1), including by increasing enrollment,
expanding clinical training opportunities, and awarding
scholarships, fellowships, stipends, or other student support.
``(c) Prioritization.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
``(1) submit a joint application with, or demonstrate a
formal partnership with, an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization,
or urban Indian organization to develop and implement
culturally appropriate workforce training, recruitment, and
retention strategies;
``(2) have demonstrated a commitment to recruiting and
retaining students, faculty, and health professionals who are
members of Indian Tribes;
``(3) have developed a strategy to recruit and retain
students and providers who plan to practice in a health
professional shortage area designated under section 332; or
``(4) have developed a strategy to recruit and retain
students and providers who plan to practice in an Indian Health
Service facility, Tribal health program, or urban Indian
organization.
``(d) Reporting.--As a condition of receiving a grant under this
section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an annual
report on the activities conducted through the grant, including--
``(1) the number and demographics of students participating
in the program;
``(2) the extent to which students participating in the
program enter careers in--
``(A) health professional shortage areas designated
under section 332; or
``(B) Indian Health Service facilities, Tribal
health programs, or urban Indian organizations; and
``(3) the impact of the grant on increasing the
availability of culturally appropriate perinatal health
services in Tribal communities.
``(e) Period of Grants.--The period of a grant under this section
shall be up to 5 years.
``(f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide, directly
or by contract, technical assistance to entities seeking or receiving a
grant under this section on the development, use, evaluation, and
postgrant period sustainability of the school or program described in
subsection (b) that is proposed to be, or is being, established or
expanded through the grant.
``(g) Report by the Secretary.--Not later than 4 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and
submit to Congress, and post on the website of the Department of Health
and Human Services, a report on the effectiveness of the grant program
under this section at increasing the number of perinatal health
professionals working in an Indian Health Service facility, a Tribal
facility, or an urban Indian organization.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--In this section, the term `eligible
entity' means--
``(A) an institution of higher education;
``(B) an accredited school or program that provides
education and training for maternity care providers,
mental and behavioral health care providers, registered
dietitians or nutrition professionals, or other
perinatal health professionals;
``(C) a teaching health center or graduate medical
education program;
``(D) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as
such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act);
``(E) an urban Indian organization (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act);
or
``(F) a consortium of entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (E).
``(2) Maternity care provider.--The term `maternity care
provider' means a health care provider who is a physician,
physician assistant midwife who meets at a minimum the
international definition of a midwife and global standards for
midwifery education as established by the International
Confederation of Midwives, advanced practice registered nurse,
or a lactation consultant certified by the International Board
of Lactation Consultant Examiners, and has a focus on maternal
or perinatal health.
``(3) Perinatal health worker.--The term `perinatal health
worker' means a nonclinical health worker focused on maternal
or perinatal health, such as a doula, community health worker,
peer supporter, lactation educator or counselor, nutritionist
or dietitian, childbirth educator, social worker, home visitor,
patient navigator or coordinator, or language interpreter.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 304. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
TRIBAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Title V of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting
after section 501C (42 U.S.C. 290aa-0b) the following:
``SEC. 501D. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
TRIBAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Secretary, shall establish within the Administration a Tribal Technical
Advisory Committee to be known as the `Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration Tribal Technical Advisory Committee'
(referred to in this section as the `TTAC').
``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the TTAC shall be to serve as an
advisory committee to the Assistant Secretary regarding the provision
of culturally appropriate mental health and substance use services to
American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including--
``(1) identifying behavioral health priorities for children
and youth in Tribal communities;
``(2) improving the quality and effectiveness of behavioral
health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives;
``(3) identifying evolving issues and barriers to access,
coverage, and delivery of services relating to substance use
and mental health services;
``(4) increasing Tribal consultation in program planning
and policies of the Administration;
``(5) supporting and enhancing government-to-government
relationships between Indian Tribes and the Administration; and
``(6) providing recommendations on the policies and
activities of the Administration that affect Tribal
communities.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) Appointment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Native Children's Commission Implementation
Act of 2026, the Assistant Secretary shall appoint the members
of the TTAC in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Composition.--The TTAC shall be composed of not fewer
than 14 members, including the following:
``(A) 1 representative from each of the 12 service
areas of the Indian Health Service;
``(B) 2 representatives from national Tribal
organizations or urban Indian organizations (as such
terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act) who possess national expertise in
behavioral health.
``(3) Qualifications.--Each member of the TTAC appointed
under paragraph (2) shall--
``(A) be an elected Tribal official, acting in
their official capacity as an elected official of their
Tribe, or be designated by an elected Tribal official,
in that official's elected capacity, with authority to
act on behalf of the Tribal official; and
``(B) have expertise in behavioral health, public
health, or related fields.
``(4) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Each member of the TTAC shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years.
``(B) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the TTAC shall be
filled in the manner in which the original appointment
was made and shall not affect the powers or duties of
the TTAC.
``(5) Tribal technical advisors.--The Secretary shall
ensure that TTAC members have the support of Tribal technical
advisors that have subject matter expertise to support the work
of the TTAC.
``(d) Duties.--The TTAC shall--
``(1) provide advice to the Assistant Secretary on policies
and programs affecting Tribal communities;
``(2) identify emerging issues and concerns regarding
behavioral health in Tribal communities;
``(3) propose solutions and recommendations for addressing
identified issues; and
``(4) submit an annual report to the Assistant Secretary
summarizing the activities and recommendations of the TTAC.
``(e) Support.--
``(1) Staff.--The Assistant Secretary shall provide such
staff and support services as may be necessary for the TTAC to
carry out its duties.
``(2) Compensation.--Members of the TTAC who are not
officers or employees of the United States shall not receive
compensation for service on the TTAC, but may receive travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
``(f) Applicability of FACA.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act'),
shall not apply to the Committee.
``(g) Effect.--Nothing in this section shall--
``(1) limit the obligation of the United States to provide
services to American Indians and Alaska Natives; or
``(2) modify, diminish, or otherwise affect the trust
responsibility of the United States to Indian Tribes.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 305. SECRETARY'S TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Part B of title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 238
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 249. SECRETARY'S TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Department of Health and Human Services a committee to be known
as the `Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee' (referred to in
this section as the `Committee').
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Committee shall be to
seek consensus, exchange views, share information, provide
advice and recommendations, and facilitate and enhance, but not
supplant, government-to-government consultation between the
Secretary and Indian Tribes on matters relating to
intergovernmental responsibilities or the administration of
programs under the Department of Health and Human Services.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of 1
representative from each of the 12 service areas of the Indian
Health Service.
``(2) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint the members
of the Committee from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, and national organizations representing
American Indians and Alaska Natives.
``(3) Qualifications.--With respect to the members of the
Committee appointed under paragraph (2)--
``(A) each such member shall--
``(i) be an elected Tribal official, acting
in their official capacity as an elected
official of their Tribe, or be designated by an
elected Tribal official, in that official's
elected capacity, with authority to act on
behalf of the Tribal official; and
``(ii) have experience in matters related
to programs under the Department; and
``(B) the members shall together represent diverse
geographic regions.
``(4) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Each member of the Committee
shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.
``(B) Staggered terms.--The Secretary shall
establish a system of staggered terms to ensure
continuity of the Committee.
``(C) Reappointment.--Members of the Committee may
be reappointed.
``(5) Tribal technical advisors.--The Secretary shall
ensure that members of the Advisory Committee have the support
of Tribal technical advisors to support their work on the
Advisory Committee.
``(c) Duties.--The Committee shall--
``(1) identify evolving issues that affect the
administration of programs under the Department that serve
American Indians and Alaska Natives;
``(2) propose solutions and provide recommendations--
``(A) to improve access to, coverage of, and
delivery of services;
``(B) to enhance coordination between the
Department and Indian Tribes; and
``(C) to strengthen Department consultation with
Indian Tribes;
``(3) identify interdepartmental barriers and propose
solutions for coordination between the agencies and offices of
the Department; and
``(4) advise on strategies for effective implementation of
Department programs and policies in Tribal communities.
``(d) Meetings.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, meet in person not less frequently than
twice each year.
``(2) Agency representation.--The Secretary or the
Secretary's designee shall attend each meeting of the
Committee.
``(3) Requirement.--At least one meeting per year shall be
held in person in Indian country.
``(e) Reporting.--
``(1) Committee reports.--Not less frequently than every 2
years, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the
relevant committees of Congress a report on--
``(A) the activities of the Committee;
``(B) challenges affecting the government-to-
government relationship between the Secretary and
Indian Tribes; and
``(C) recommendations for legislative and
administrative actions relating to access, coverage,
and delivery of services to American Indian and Alaska
Natives, related to programs of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
``(2) Agency response.--Not later than 45 days after
receiving a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit a written response to--
``(A) the Committee; and
``(B) the relevant committees of Congress.
``(f) Compensation.--
``(1) In general.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall
serve without compensation.
``(2) Reimbursement.--Members of the Advisory Committee
shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other
necessary expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the
duties of the Advisory Committee.
``(g) Support.--The Secretary shall provide technical and
logistical support to the Committee.
``(h) Applicability of FACA.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act'),
shall not apply to the Committee.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Committee.--The term `Committee' means the
Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee established under
subsection (a)(1).
``(2) Department.--The term `Department' means the
Department of Health and Human Services.
``(3) Relevant committees of congress.--The term `relevant
committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate;
``(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the
Senate; and
``(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 306. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GRANTS FOR INDIAN TRIBES AND
TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Subpart I of part B of title XIX of the Public Health Service Act
is amended by inserting after section 1918 (42 U.S.C. 300x-7) at the
end the following:
``SEC. 1918A. DIRECT GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
``(a) In General.--Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 5
percent of the amounts appropriated under section 1920(a) for the
fiscal year for direct grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations
in accordance with this section.
``(b) Application.--In order for an Indian Tribe or Tribal
organization to be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), such
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(c) Use of Funds.--An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that
receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use the grant funds to
provide community mental health services for adults with a serious
mental illness and children with a serious emotional disturbance, as
defined in accordance with section 1912(c).
``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `Indian Tribe' and
`Tribal organization' have the meanings given the terms in section 4 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.''.
SEC. 307. SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND RECOVERY GRANTS FOR
INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Subpart II of part B of title XIX of the Public Health Service Act
is amended by inserting after section 1933 (42 U.S.C. 300x-33) the
following:
``SEC. 1933A. DIRECT GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBES AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
``(a) In General.--Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 5
percent of the amounts appropriated under section 1935(a) for the
fiscal year for direct grants to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations
in accordance with this section.
``(b) Application.--In order for an Indian Tribe or Tribal
organization to be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), such
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(c) Use of Funds.--An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization that
receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use the grant funds for
planning, carrying out, and evaluating activities to prevent, treat,
and provide recovery support services for substance use disorders.
``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `Indian Tribe' and
`Tribal organization' have the meanings given the terms in section 4 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.''.
SEC. 308. SELF-GOVERNANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PROGRAMS FOR INDIAN TRIBES.
Part D of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290dd
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 554. SELF-GOVERNANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
PROGRAMS FOR INDIAN TRIBES.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a
demonstration program under which participating Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, or inter-Tribal consortia may assume the administration
of certain behavioral health covered programs of the Department of
Health and Human Services through self-governance compacts and funding
agreements.
``(b) Demonstration Duration.--The demonstration program shall
operate for a period of 5 years beginning on the date the Secretary
executes the first funding agreement under this section.
``(c) Selection of Participating Indian Tribes.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may select not more than
15 Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or inter-Tribal
consortia to administer 1 or more covered programs, services,
functions, or activities under this program each year of the
demonstration program.
``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to be selected under
paragraph (1), an Indian Tribe or inter-Tribal consortium
shall--
``(A) submit to the Secretary a request pursuant to
a resolution or other official action by--
``(i) in the case of a request submitted by
an Indian Tribe, the governing body of that
Indian Tribe;
``(ii) in the case of a request submitted
by a Tribal organization, the governing body of
each Indian Tribe included in the Tribal
organization; and
``(iii) in the case of a request submitted
by an inter-Tribal consortium, the governing
body of each Indian Tribe included in that
inter-Tribal consortium; and
``(B) as of the date of such submission--
``(i) be a party to a compact and funding
agreement under the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act; and
``(ii) satisfy any additional criteria
established by the Secretary in consultation
with Indian Tribes.
``(3) Other authorized indian tribe, inter-tribal
consortium, or tribal organization.--If an Indian Tribe
authorizes another Indian Tribe, an inter-Tribal consortium, or
a Tribal organization by resolution to plan for or carry out an
included program on its behalf under this section, the
authorized Indian Tribe, inter-Tribal consortium, or Tribal
organization shall have the rights and responsibilities of the
authorizing Indian Tribe (except as otherwise provided in the
authorizing resolution).
``(d) Compacts and Funding Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
selection by the Secretary of a participating Indian Tribe,
inter-Tribal consortium, or Tribal organization described in
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall negotiate and enter into
a written compact and funding agreement with the Indian Tribe,
Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal consortium in a manner
consistent with Federal trust responsibilities, treaty
obligations, and the government-to-government relationships
between Indian Tribes and the United States.
``(2) Contents.--
``(A) In general.--The contents of a compact and
funding agreement entered into or modified under
paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the contents
required to be in a compact and funding agreement,
respectively, under sections 504 and 505 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, except
that such contents under this section may include such
reasonable modifications as the Secretary and the
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization authorized by an
Indian Tribe, or inter-Tribal consortium determine
necessary to support Tribal administration of included
programs.
``(B) Reporting.--The provisions of chapter 75 of
title 31, United States Code, requiring a single agency
audit report shall apply to a compact and funding
agreement under this section, subject to the condition
that any additional reporting provisions with respect
to the compact and funding agreement shall be subject
to negotiation under paragraph (1) between the Indian
Tribe and the Secretary.
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide funds to the
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization authorized by an Indian
Tribe, or inter-Tribal consortium under a self-governance
compact or funding agreement entered into under this section
for programs included in such self-governance compact or
funding agreement in an amount that is equal to the amount such
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal consortium
would have been entitled to receive under such programs.
Funding shall be subject to a negotiations process, with the
minimum amount provided in an amount that is not less than what
the Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal
consortium would have otherwise received under such programs.
``(2) Matching requirement.--At the request of an Indian
Tribe, Tribal organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, or
inter-Tribal consortium selected under this section, if the
Secretary determines the request to be reasonable, the
Secretary shall waive any matching requirement that would
otherwise apply to the Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or
inter-Tribal consortium under an included program covered by a
compact or funding agreement under this section.
``(f) Rules of Construction.--The Secretary shall implement each
provision of this section, and each provision of a compact or funding
agreement entered into or modified pursuant to this section, in a
manner consistent with title V of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act, except the Secretary may make reasonable
modifications--
``(1) to comply with the provisions of this title when the
provisions of this title conflict with the provisions of title
V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act; and
``(2) to the extent necessary to fulfill the policies
described in the declaration of policy in section 3 of title V
of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
relating to Tribal administration of programs, services,
functions, or activities (or portions thereof) pursuant to
title V of such Act.
``(g) Waivers.--
``(1) In general.--At the request of an Indian Tribe,
Tribal organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, or inter-
Tribal consortium, if the Secretary determines that a waiver
would further the declaration of policy under section 3 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, the
Secretary shall grant a waiver of statutory, regulatory, or
program requirements to facilitate the ability of an Indian
Tribe, Tribal organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, or
inter-Tribal consortium to redesign or consolidate included
programs or reallocate funds.
``(2) Documentation.--The Secretary shall document all
requests for a waiver under paragraph (1), including a
description of--
``(A) the reasons for each request;
``(B) the effect of the waiver on the Indian Tribe,
authorized Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal
consortium making the request; and
``(C) the views of the Indian Tribe, authorized
Tribal organization, or inter-Tribal consortium
regarding the requested waiver.
``(3) Disagreement.--Waiver requests shall be subject to
the final offer process described in section 507(b) of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
``(h) Other Agency Statements.--Unless expressly agreed to by an
Indian Tribe, Tribal organization authorized by an Indian Tribe, or
inter-Tribal consortium in a compact of funding agreement entered into
or modified pursuant to this section, an Indian Tribe, Tribal
organization, or inter-Tribal consortium selected under this section
shall not be subject to any agency circular, policy, manual, guidance,
or regulation.
``(i) Applicability of Other Provisions.--The following provisions
of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act shall
apply to a compact or funding agreement under this title:
``(1) Section 102(d).
``(2) Subsections (b), (c)(1), (c)(2), (d), (e), and (h) of
section 506.
``(3) Subsections (g), (h), and (i) of section 508.
``(j) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Tribal
Self-Governance of the Department of Health and Human Services
shall provide technical assistance to the Secretary and
participating Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to carry
out this section, including technical assistance to Indian
Tribes and Tribal organizations to conduct evaluations of
programs for which such Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations
have participated in self-governance under this section.
``(2) Technical assistance grants.--The Secretary shall
award grants to national organizations with expertise on Tribal
self-governance, for purposes of providing technical assistance
to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations in the negotiation of
self-governance compact or funding agreements described in
subsection (a).
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--
``(A) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated--
``(i) $2,000,000 to carry out the technical
assistance grants under paragraph (2); and
``(ii) such sums as necessary to provide
technical assistance under paragraph (1).
``(B) Availability.--Amounts made available
pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall remain available
until expended.
``(k) Consultation.--The Secretary shall conduct Tribal
consultation before promulgating regulations to carry out this section.
``(l) Reporting.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
participating Indian Tribes and inter-Tribal consortia, shall submit to
Congress annual reports on the implementation of this section.
``(m) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered program.--The term `covered program' means
any mental health, substance abuse prevention and treatment,
recovery support, crisis response, suicide prevention, or
related behavioral health program of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(2) Funding agreement.--The term `funding agreement'
means a negotiated agreement between the Secretary and an
Indian Tribe or inter-Tribal consortium that specifies the
programs, services, functions, and activities to be performed
by such Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
``(3) Indian tribe, tribal organization.--The terms `Indian
Tribe' and `Tribal organization' have the meanings given such
terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act.
``(4) Inter-tribal consortium.--The term `inter-Tribal
consortium' has the meaning given the term in section 501 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
``(5) Self governance compact.--The term `self-governance
compact' means a negotiated agreement between the Secretary and
an Indian Tribe, inter-Tribal consortium, or a Tribal
organization authorized by an Indian Tribe that establishes the
general terms of the relationship between the Secretary and
such Indian Tribe or inter-Tribal consortium.''.
TITLE IV--ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION
SEC. 401. NATIVE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION TASK FORCE.
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act is amended by inserting
after section 223 (25 U.S.C. 1621v) the following:
``SEC. 224. NATIVE CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROTECTION TASK
FORCE.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--There is established within the Council
on Environmental Quality a Native Children's Environmental
Health Protection Task Force (referred to in this section as
the `Task Force').
``(2) Membership.--The Task Force--
``(A) shall include--
``(i) the Chair of the Council on
Environmental Quality, who shall serve as
Chairperson of the Task Force; and
``(ii) 1 representative from each of--
``(I) the Department of Health and
Human Services, including the Service;
``(II) the Environmental Protection
Agency;
``(III) the Department of Housing
and Urban Development;
``(IV) the Department of the
Interior;
``(V) the Department of
Agriculture;
``(VI) the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention;
``(VII) the Department of
Transportation;
``(VIII) tribal organizations;
``(IX) Tribal environmental health
programs;
``(X) Tribal health directors; and
``(XI) the organization described
in section 12(7) of the Native Hawaiian
Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C.
11711(7)); and
``(B) may include a representative of Native youth.
``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Task Force shall be to serve as
a coordinating body to protect the environmental health of Native
children through cross-agency collaboration, including by--
``(1) identifying and addressing environmental health
hazards that disproportionately affect Native children;
``(2) enhancing coordination among Federal, State, and
Tribal agencies, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations on environmental health issues affecting Native
children;
``(3) developing and implementing culturally appropriate
solutions to environmental health challenges in Native
communities;
``(4) leveraging resources across Federal, State, and
Tribal agencies to maximize impact and efficiency of
environmental health programs that serve Native communities;
``(5) strengthening capacity among Indian tribes, tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to address
environmental health threats through technical assistance and
resource sharing;
``(6) ensuring environmental health interventions respect
Tribal sovereignty and incorporate traditional ecological
knowledge;
``(7) promoting environmental justice for Native children
and their communities; and
``(8) reducing administrative burdens on Tribal-serving and
Native Hawaiian-serving environmental health programs through
streamlined processes and integrated systems.
``(c) Duties.--The Task Force shall develop and implement a
comprehensive strategic plan to address environmental health threats to
Native children, including dust, mold, sanitation challenges,
contaminated lands from mining, industrial wastes, abandoned uranium
mines, pesticides from agricultural operations, oil spills, groundwater
contamination, wildfire smoke inhalation, and other natural disasters.
``(d) Consultation.--The Task Force shall consult and engage with
Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations,
as appropriate, in developing and implementing all protocols and
processes under this section.
``(e) Annual Report.--Annually, the Task Force shall submit to
Congress a report on the implementation of this section, including any
outcomes and recommendations, as applicable.''.
SEC. 402. INTEGRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WITHIN PRIMARY CARE.
(a) Community Health Representative Program.--Section 107 of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1616) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Environmental Health Training Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that all
health professional training programs administered by the
Service include mandatory training on--
``(A) environmental health assessment protocols
specific to Tribal communities;
``(B) recognition of environmental health issues
affecting Native children;
``(C) home environmental assessment procedures and
documentation;
``(D) cultural competency in discussing
environmental health concerns with Tribal families; and
``(E) integration of traditional ecological
knowledge in environmental health assessments.
``(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall develop the
training components described in paragraph (1) in consultation
with--
``(A) the Division of Environmental Health Services
of the Service;
``(B) Tribal environmental health programs;
``(C) Tribal Epidemiology Centers;
``(D) Tribal health boards; and
``(E) pediatric environmental health specialty
units.''.
(b) Comprehensive Environmental Health System.--Title II of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 227. COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SYSTEM.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Service shall establish a comprehensive
environmental health system (referred to in this section as the
`system') that includes--
``(1) electronic health record capabilities for--
``(A) standardized environmental exposure history
documentation;
``(B) automated clinical decision support for
environmental health concerns;
``(C) bi-directional data sharing between clinical
and environmental health services; and
``(D) geographic tracking of environmental health
conditions; and
``(2) standardized referral protocols that--
``(A) connect clinical providers with environmental
health services;
``(B) establish response time requirements;
``(C) require documented follow-up; and
``(D) include case management when needed.
``(b) Memoranda of Agreement.--In implementing the system, the
Secretary shall offer to enter into memoranda of agreement with Service
units, Tribal environmental programs, and relevant Federal and State
agencies.
``(c) Annual Report.--Annually, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on system implementation, utilization, and outcomes.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
TITLE V--IMPROVING NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND
FAMILIES
SEC. 501. TRIBAL PILOT PROGRAMS FOR SNAP ADMINISTRATION.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 31. TRIBAL PILOT PROGRAMS FOR SNAP ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Tribal pilot participant.--The term `Tribal pilot
participant' means a covered Indian entity (as defined in
subsection (b)(1)) or an Indian Tribe that is participating in
a pilot program under this section.
``(2) Tribal service population.--The term `Tribal service
population' means households residing within the service area
identified by, as applicable--
``(A) a covered Indian entity (as defined in
subsection (b)(1)) under subsection (b)(4)(A)(iii); or
``(B) an Indian Tribe under subsection
(c)(2)(A)(iii).
``(b) Alaska Tribal Pilot Program.--
``(1) Definition of covered indian entity.--In this
subsection, the term `covered Indian entity' means--
``(A) each of the 12 regional nonprofit
corporations established pursuant to the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); and
``(B) the Metlakatla Indian Community of the
Annette Islands Reserve.
``(2) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall
establish a pilot program (referred to in this subsection as
the `pilot program') under which the Secretary shall award a
grant to at least 1 covered Indian entity each fiscal year to
administer all or portions of the supplemental nutrition
assistance program within the Tribal service area of the
covered Indian entity.
``(3) Grant duration.--The term of a grant awarded under
the pilot program shall be 3 years, which may be extended for
an additional 3 years, as determined by the Secretary.
``(4) 3-year plan.--
``(A) In general.--A covered Indian entity seeking
a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the
Secretary a 3-year plan that--
``(i) describes how the covered Indian
entity will administer the supplemental
nutrition assistance program consistent with
this Act;
``(ii) specifies whether benefits and
administrative functions will be provided
directly or through agreements, contracts,
compacts, or consortia arrangements;
``(iii) identifies the Tribal service
populations and service areas to be served;
``(iv) identifies employment opportunities
in or near the service areas and the manner in
which the covered Indian entity will cooperate
in enhancing those opportunities consistent
with applicable Federal standards; and
``(v) describes financial management,
program integrity, accountability, and data
security procedures.
``(B) Review.--The Secretary shall review the plan
submitted under subparagraph (A) in accordance with
subsection (e).
``(C) Determination.--Not later than 90 days after
receiving a plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall approve or deny the plan.
``(5) Amount determined.--
``(A) In general.--The amount of a grant awarded to
a covered Indian entity under the pilot program shall
be the amount attributable to expenditures for Tribal
service populations identified under paragraph
(3)(A)(iii).
``(B) Use of state-submitted data.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall use
data submitted by the State of Alaska to
calculate the payment amount under subparagraph
(A).
``(ii) Disagreement with determination.--If
a covered Indian entity disagrees with the data
described in clause (i), the covered Indian
entity may submit additional information to the
Secretary for consideration.
``(6) Reduction in state administrative payments.--The
Secretary shall reduce the Federal administrative payments
otherwise payable to the State of Alaska under section 16 by
the amount attributable to administrative functions assumed by
a covered Indian entity receiving a grant under the pilot
program.
``(c) Lower-48 Tribal Pilot Program.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a
pilot program (referred to in this subsection as the `pilot
program') under which the Secretary shall award grants to at
least 5 Indian Tribes to administer all or portions of the
supplemental nutrition assistance program within Tribal service
areas.
``(2) Administration plan.--
``(A) In general.--An Indian Tribe seeking a grant
under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary a
plan that--
``(i) describes how the Indian Tribe will
administer the supplemental nutrition
assistance program consistent with this Act;
``(ii) specifies whether benefits and
administrative functions will be provided
directly or through agreements, contracts, or
compacts, including agreements with relevant
State agencies;
``(iii) identifies the Tribal service
populations and service areas to be served;
``(iv) describes financial management,
program integrity, accountability, and data
security procedures; and
``(v) identifies employment opportunities
in or near the service areas and the manner in
which the Indian Tribe will cooperate in
enhancing those opportunities consistent with
applicable Federal standards.
``(B) Review.--The Secretary shall review the plan
submitted under subparagraph (A) in accordance with
subsection (e).
``(C) Approval.--Not later than 90 days after
receiving a plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall approve or deny the plan.
``(3) Cooperative agreements.--Each Indian Tribe
participating in the pilot program shall enter into a
cooperative agreement with the Secretary and the applicable
State agency regarding administration, data sharing,
eligibility coordination, program integrity, and operational
responsibilities.
``(4) Phased expansion.--
``(A) Initial participation.--For the first fiscal
year in which the pilot program is implemented, the
Secretary shall select at least 5 Indian Tribes to
participate in the pilot program.
``(B) Additional participants.--For each fiscal
year following the first fiscal year described in
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall approve
participation in the pilot program of not more than 5
additional Indian Tribes.
``(C) Priority.--In selecting Indian Tribes to
participate in the pilot program, the Secretary shall
prioritize geographic diversity, demonstrated
administrative capacity, and Tribal communities that
have previously worked with States on administering the
supplemental nutrition assistance program in those
communities.
``(5) Direct federal funding.--The Secretary shall provide
funding directly to Indian Tribes participating in the pilot
program without requiring pass-through agreements with States.
``(d) Administration.--In participating in a pilot program under
this section, a Tribal pilot participant shall--
``(1) subject to waiver by the Secretary, comply with
requirements comparable to requirements applicable to State
agencies administering the supplemental nutrition assistance
program;
``(2) prohibit households from receiving duplicative
assistance;
``(3) comply with section 5(f)(1) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5305(f)(1)); and
``(4) maintain fiscal accountability consistent with
generally accepted accounting principles.
``(e) Tribal Administrative Capacity.--
``(1) In general.--In reviewing a plan under subsection
(b)(3) or (c)(2), the Secretary shall consider the demonstrated
administrative capacity of the Tribal pilot participant, which
may include experience administering federally funded Tribal
programs, including--
``(A) a Tribal family assistance program operated
under section 412 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
612);
``(B) programs operated under contracts or compacts
authorized by the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
``(C) employment and training programs under
section 6(d)(4);
``(D) programs administered under the Indian
Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration
Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.); or
``(E) other public assistance, nutrition, workforce
development, or social service programs administered by
the Tribal pilot participant.
``(2) No additional burdensome requirements.--The Secretary
shall not impose on Tribal pilot participants requirements
relating to administrative capacity that are more burdensome
than requirements applied to States administering the
supplemental nutrition assistance program.
``(f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide funding to
a Tribal organization to provide technical assistance, training, and
implementation support to Tribal pilot participants to facilitate
successful administration of the pilot programs under this section.
``(g) Exemptions and State Protections.--
``(1) Exemption from matching fund requirements.--
Households within a Tribal service population that is served
pursuant to this section shall not be included in calculating
under this Act--
``(A) any State payment error rate;
``(B) any State matching fund requirement;
``(C) any State financial liability or penalty
relating to payment accuracy; or
``(D) any State cost obligation under section
4(a)(2).
``(2) Exemption from administrative cost sharing.--Of the
administrative costs incurred by Tribal pilot participants
under this section--
``(A) 100 percent shall be reimbursed by the
Secretary; and
``(B) 0 percent shall be subject to administrative
cost-sharing requirements applicable to States under
section 16.
``(3) Preservation of existing tribal exemptions.--Nothing
in this section affects the application of subparagraphs (F)
and (G) of section 6(o)(3).
``(4) No state penalties.--A State shall not be penalized,
financially or administratively, based on Tribal service
populations that are served pursuant to this section, including
with respect to--
``(A) matching fund requirements;
``(B) administrative cost-sharing requirements;
``(C) work requirement compliance calculations;
``(D) payment error rates; or
``(E) administrative performance measures.
``(h) Report to Congress.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall evaluate, and submit to
Congress a report on, with respect to the pilot programs carried out
under this section--
``(1) participant access and food security outcomes;
``(2) administrative efficiency;
``(3) payment accuracy and program integrity;
``(4) Tribal self-sufficiency outcomes; and
``(5) recommendations relating to whether those pilot
programs should be continued, expanded, modified, or made
permanent.
``(i) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section diminishes--
``(1) the trust responsibility of the United States to
Indian Tribes; or
``(2) the sovereign authority of Indian Tribes.''.
SEC. 502. CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS TRIBAL PILOT PROJECTS.
(a) Nutrition and Health Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the
Secretary of Agriculture, shall conduct a study on the
intersection of nutrition programs and health outcomes for
Native children in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian communities.
(2) Focus areas.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
examine--
(A) health outcomes from Federal nutrition programs
in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
communities;
(B) integration of traditional foods in Federal
nutrition assistance;
(C) community-level nutrition intervention
effectiveness;
(D) food sovereignty and community health
connections; and
(E) coordinated nutrition-health service delivery
models.
(b) School Nutrition.--
(1) Categorical eligibility.--Section 9(b)(5) of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1758(b)(5)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (E)(ii), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) a child who is an enrolled member, or who has
1 or more parents who are enrolled members, of an
Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304)).''.
(2) Reimbursement rates.--Section 12(f) of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(f)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' before ``the
Commonwealth'';
(B) by inserting ``and geographic areas that serve
Bureau-funded schools (as defined in section 1141 of
the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)) and
elementary schools and secondary schools (as those
terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) on or
near an Indian reservation'' before ``the Secretary'';
(C) by inserting ``or area, as applicable,'' after
``such State''; and
(D) by inserting ``or areas, as applicable,'' after
``those States''.
(c) Tribally Operated Meal Pilot Program.--Section 18 of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is
amended by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Tribally Operated Meal Pilot Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Covered institution.--The term `covered
institution' means--
``(i) a Bureau-funded school (as defined in
section 1141 of the Education Amendments of
1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021));
``(ii) a school (as such term is defined in
section 12(d)) on or near an Indian reservation
or in a noncontiguous State; and
``(iii) an early care and education
facility, including a facility that
participates in a Head Start program authorized
under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et
seq.).
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(i) an Indian tribe or Tribal
organization;
``(ii) a Tribal educational agency;
``(iii) a consortium of Indian tribes; and
``(iv) a partnership between--
``(I) an Indian tribe; and
``(II)(aa) a State educational
agency;
``(bb) a local educational agency;
``(cc) a tribal educational agency;
or
``(dd) the Bureau of Indian
Education.
``(C) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has
the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304).
``(D) Program.--The term `program' means the pilot
program established under paragraph (2).
``(E) Tribal educational agency.--The term `tribal
educational agency' has the meaning given the term in
section 6132(b) of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452(b)).
``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot
program to award grants to 10 eligible entities to operate and
implement in covered institutions 1 or more of the following
programs:
``(A) The school lunch program authorized under
this Act.
``(B) The summer food service program for children
established under section 13.
``(C) The child and adult care food program
established under section 17.
``(D) The school breakfast program established by
section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1773).
``(3) Terms of grant.--
``(A) Amount.--The amount of a grant awarded to an
eligible entity under the program shall be negotiated
with the eligible entity, but shall be not less than
$10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each fiscal
year.
``(B) Period.--A grant awarded to an eligible
entity under the program shall be available for a
period of 2 years after the date on which the grant is
received by the eligible entity.
``(4) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
the program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary may require.
``(5) Criteria for selection.--In selecting eligible
entities to receive grants under the program, the Secretary
shall select eligible entities that--
``(A) are located in diverse geographic areas; and
``(B) serve Indian tribes of varying population
size.
``(6) Reimbursements.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, an eligible entity that receives a
grant under the program to operate and implement a
program described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of
paragraph (2) shall--
``(i) with respect to the program described
in subparagraph (A) of that paragraph, be
reimbursed under that program as if the
eligible entity were a State described in
section 12(f);
``(ii) with respect to the program
described in subparagraph (B) of that
paragraph, be reimbursed under that program as
if the eligible entity were a State under
section 13;
``(iii) with respect to the program
described in subparagraph (C) of that
paragraph, be reimbursed under that program as
if the eligible entity were a State under
section 17; and
``(iv) in the case of the program described
in subparagraph (D) of that paragraph, shall be
reimbursed under that program as if the
eligible entity were a State educational
agency.
``(B) Administrative funds.--An eligible entity
that receives a grant under the program shall receive
administrative funds at a rate that is consistent with
the amount received by a State under section 7 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1776).
``(7) Duration.--The program shall terminate on the date
that is 7 years after the date on which the program is
established.
``(8) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of
enactment of the Native Children's Commission Implementation
Act of 2026, the Secretary shall evaluate, and submit to
Congress a report on, with respect to the program--
``(A) participant access, food security, and
nutrition outcomes;
``(B) the incorporation of traditional, locally
sourced, and culturally appropriate foods;
``(C) Tribal capacity, administrative efficiency,
and program implementation outcomes; and
``(D) recommendations relating to whether the
program should be continued, expanded, modified, or
made permanent.''.
TITLE VI--ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES
SEC. 601. PROGRAM FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS AMERICAN INDIANS
AND ALASKA NATIVES.
(a) In General.--Title VII of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4211 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 706. PROGRAM FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS AMERICAN
INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) American indians and alaska natives.--The term
`American Indians and Alaska Natives' means individuals who are
regarded as American Indian or Alaska Native by the Indian or
Alaska Native community in which the individual lives, as
evidenced by tribal membership, enrollment, eligibility for
enrollment, active participation in tribal affairs, or other
indicia of community affiliation.
``(2) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence' has
the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).
``(3) Eligible american indians and alaska natives.--The
term `eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives' means
American Indians and Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk
of homelessness, as defined by the Indian tribe.
``(4) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient'
means an Indian tribe, or a tribally designated housing entity
or tribal organization designated by such Indian tribe to apply
for a grant on its behalf under this section.
``(5) Homeless youth.--The term `homeless youth' has the
meaning given the term in section 387 of the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act (34 U.S.C. 11279).
``(6) Program.--The term `Program' means the program
established under subsection (b).
``(7) Secretary of health and human services.--The term
`Secretary of Health and Human Services' means the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health
Service.
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish and
administer a grant program to provide rental assistance and
supportive housing services to be known as the `Tribal Homeless
Housing Assistance Grant Program' for American Indians and
Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish
a supportive housing competitive grant program that--
``(A) provides rental assistance for American
Indians and Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk
of homelessness;
``(B) integrates supportive services and case
management;
``(C) prioritizes homeless youth, families with
children, and survivors of domestic violence;
``(D) strengthens tribal self-determination in
housing administration; and
``(E) reduces and prevents homelessness in tribal
communities and Native populations.
``(3) Management.--Except as otherwise provided in this
section, the Secretary shall administer the Program in a manner
similar to the program under section 8(o)(19) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) and the
demonstration program established under paragraph (5) under the
heading `tenant-based rental assistance' under the heading
`Public and Indian Housing' in title II of division K of the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Public Law 113-235; 128 Stat. 2732), in accordance with the
regulations promulgated to carry out those programs.
``(4) Authorization.--Of the amounts made available for
grants under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.) each fiscal year, the Secretary
may make available not more than 5 percent to carry out this
section.
``(c) Consultation.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall consult with eligible
recipients to ensure effective delivery of grants under the Program.
``(d) Application.--Each eligible recipient applying for a grant
under the Program shall submit to the Secretary an application that
describes how the eligible recipient will provide 2 years of mandatory
case management services to eligible American Indians and Alaska
Natives under the Program, including in partnership with other
qualified organizations or the Indian Health Service, when appropriate.
``(e) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Supportive services.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible recipient receiving
a grant under the Program--
``(i) may use the grant to provide
supportive services to eligible American
Indians and Alaska Natives; and
``(ii) shall determine the supportive
services that are necessary and appropriate to
prevent or end homelessness, reducing housing
instability, preserving family unity where
housing instability is a contributing factor,
or promote long-term housing stability.
``(B) Tribal flexibility.--An eligible recipient
receiving a grant under the Program shall determine the
nature, scope, and delivery of supportive services
described in subparagraph (A), which may include
services to address behavioral health needs, substance
use disorders, transportation barriers, employment and
education needs, child welfare involvement, domestic
violence, or other barriers to housing stability
identified by the eligible recipient.
``(C) Deference to tribal determination.--The
Secretary--
``(i) shall defer to the determination of
an eligible recipient regarding the design,
scope, and delivery of supportive services
under subparagraph (B), including culturally
appropriate and traditional services identified
by the eligible recipient; and
``(ii) may not require a showing that a
specific service category is authorized under
any other Federal housing or homeless
assistance program, provided that the eligible
recipient determines and documents that the
services are reasonably related to the housing
stability for eligible American Indians and
Alaska Natives.
``(2) Priority.--An eligible recipient that receives a
grant under the Program shall prioritize providing assistance
to homeless youth, families with children, and survivors of
domestic violence.
``(f) Funding Criteria.--Grants awarded under the Program shall be
based on need, administrative capacity, service of homeless youth,
families with children and survivors of domestic violence, and other
criteria established by the Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services and eligible recipients.
``(g) Administration and Waiver Authority.--The Secretary may
waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any
statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with
the use of funds made available under the Program (except for
requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, and labor
standards), upon a finding by the Secretary that any such waiver or
alternative requirement is necessary for the effective delivery and
administration of such assistance.
``(h) Renewal Grants.--The Secretary may set aside amounts made
available under subsection (b)(4) for renewal grants under the Program
and define renewal criteria, including data reporting.
``(i) Study on Barriers to Implementation.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of the Native Children's Commission
Implementation Act of 2026, and every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, shall review and submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of the Program, including any recommendations to improve
the Program and its implementation.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-330; 110 Stat. 4016) is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 705 the
following:
``706. Program for housing assistance for homeless American Indians and
Alaska Natives.''.
SEC. 602. PROGRAM FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS NATIVE HAWAIIANS.
Title VIII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4221 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 825. PROGRAM FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS NATIVE
HAWAIIANS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Domestic violence.--The term `domestic violence' has
the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).
``(2) Eligible native hawaiian.--The term `eligible Native
Hawaiian' means a Native Hawaiian who is homeless or at risk of
homelessness, as defined in sections 103 and 401 of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302,
11360).
``(3) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient'
means the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, a Native Hawaiian
Organization, or a Native Hawaiian community-based
organization.
``(4) Homeless youth.--The term `homeless youth' has the
meaning given the term in section 387 of the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act (34 U.S.C. 11279).
``(5) Native hawaiian organization; native hawaiian
community-based organization.--The terms `Native Hawaiian
organization' and `Native Hawaiian community-based
organization' have the meanings given those terms in section
6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).
``(6) Program.--The term `Program' means the program
established under subsection (b).
``(7) Secretary of the interior.--The term `Secretary of
the Interior' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations.
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Interior, shall establish and administer a
grant program to provide rental assistance and supportive
housing services for Native Hawaiians who are homeless or at
risk of homelessness, to be known as the `Native Hawaiian
Homeless Housing Assistance Grant Program'.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish
a supportive housing competitive grant program that--
``(A) provides rental assistance for Native
Hawaiians who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
``(B) integrates supportive services and case
management;
``(C) prioritizes homeless youth, families with
children, and survivors of domestic violence;
``(D) strengthens Native Hawaiian self-
determination in housing administration; and
``(E) reduces and prevents homelessness in Native
Hawaiian populations.
``(3) Management.--Except as otherwise provided in this
section, the Secretary shall administer the Program in a manner
similar to the program under section 8(o)(19) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) and the
demonstration program established under paragraph (5) under the
heading `tenant-based rental assistance' under the heading
`Public and Indian Housing' in title II of division K of the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Public Law 113-235; 128 Stat. 2732), in accordance with the
regulations promulgated to carry out those programs.
``(4) Authorization.--Of the amounts made available for
grants under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.) each fiscal year, the Secretary
may make available not more than 0.2 percent of such amounts to
carry out this section.
``(c) Consultation.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of the Interior, shall consult with eligible recipients to
ensure effective delivery of grants under the Program.
``(d) Application.--Each eligible recipient applying for a grant
under the Program shall submit to the Secretary an application that
describes how the eligible recipient will provide 2 years of mandatory
case management services to eligible Native Hawaiians under the
Program, including in partnership with other qualified organizations,
when appropriate.
``(e) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Supportive services.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible recipient receiving
a grant under the Program--
``(i) may use the grant to provide
supportive services to eligible Native
Hawaiians; and
``(ii) shall determine the supportive
services that are necessary and appropriate to
prevent or end homelessness, reducing housing
instability, preserving family unity where
housing instability is a contributing factor,
or promote long-term housing stability.
``(B) Flexibility.--An eligible recipient receiving
a grant under the Program shall determine the nature,
scope, and delivery of supportive services described in
subparagraph (A), which may include services to address
behavioral health needs, substance use disorders,
transportation barriers, employment and education
needs, child welfare involvement, domestic violence, or
other barriers to housing stability identified by the
eligible recipient.
``(C) Deference to native hawaiian determination.--
The Secretary--
``(i) shall defer to the determination of
an eligible recipient regarding the design,
scope, and delivery of supportive services
under subparagraph (B), including culturally
appropriate and traditional services identified
by the eligible recipient; and
``(ii) may not require a showing that a
specific service category is authorized under
any other Federal housing or homeless
assistance program, provided that the eligible
recipient determines and documents that the
services are reasonably related to the housing
stability for eligible Native Hawaiians.
``(f) Priority.--An eligible recipient that receives a grant under
the Program shall prioritize providing assistance to homeless youth,
families with children, and survivors of domestic violence.
``(g) Funding Criteria.--Grants awarded under the Program shall be
based on need, administrative capacity, service of homeless youth,
families with children, and survivors of domestic violence, and other
criteria established by the Secretary, in consultation with the Office
of Native Hawaiian Relations in the Department of the Interior and
eligible recipients.
``(h) Administration and Waiver Authority.--The Secretary may--
``(1) waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any
provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary
administers in connection with the use of funds made available
under the Program (except for requirements related to fair
housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the
environment), upon a finding by the Secretary that any such
waivers or alternative requirements are necessary for the
effective delivery and administration of such assistance; and
``(2) by regulation provide for the release of funds for
specific projects to eligible recipients under this section if
the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assumes all of the
responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and
action pursuant to section 806(a)(1)(B).
``(i) Renewal Grants.--The Secretary may set aside amounts made
available under subsection (b)(4) for renewal grants under the Program
and define renewal criteria, including data reporting.
``(j) Study on Barriers to Implementation.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years
thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Interior, shall review and submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of the Program, including any recommendations to improve
the Program and its implementation.''.
SEC. 603. TRIBAL CONTINUUM OF CARE PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title VII of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4211 et seq.),
as amended by section 601 of this title, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 707. TRIBAL CONTINUUM OF CARE PARTICIPATION GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an
Indian tribe and a tribally designated housing entity.
``(2) Program.--The term `Program' means the program
established under subsection (b).
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish and
administer a grant program, to be known as the `Tribal
Continuum of Care Participation Grant Program', to provide
competitive grants to eligible entities for participating in a
continuum of care program under subtitle C of title IV of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et
seq.), either as a collaborative applicant or as a project
applicant through a local continuum of care competition.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Program is to ensure
dedicated funding is available to eligible entities working to
address homelessness and housing instability affecting Indian
tribes and Tribal communities through participation in the
continuum of care program under subtitle C of title IV of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et
seq.), including as a collaborative applicant or as a project
applicant within a continuum of care.
``(3) Authorization.--
``(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available
for competitive grants under subtitle C of title IV of
the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11381 et seq.) each fiscal year, $25,000,000 shall be
available to carry out this section.
``(B) Hold harmless.--Amounts made available under
subparagraph (A) shall only be available for a fiscal
year in which the total amount appropriated for
competitive grants under subtitle C of title IV of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381
et seq.) exceeds the amount appropriated for such
grants for fiscal year 2026.
``(C) Limitation.--The Secretary may not reserve
amounts under subparagraph (A) if doing so would reduce
the amount available for competitive grants under
subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.) below the
amount appropriated for fiscal year 2026.
``(4) Administrative costs.--An eligible entity may use not
more than 10 percent of grant amounts received under the
Program for administrative costs.
``(c) Certification.--Notwithstanding section 106 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12706), with
respect to applications for projects to be carried out on reservations
or trust land using grants awarded under this section--
``(1) the applications shall contain a certification that
the applicant consulted with each recipient required to submit
an Indian housing plan developed under section 102 of this Act;
and
``(2) Indian tribes and tribally designated housing
entities that are recipients of awards for projects on
reservations or trust land from such funds shall certify that
they have consulted with the recipients required to submit an
Indian housing plan developed under section 102 of this Act.
``(d) Consolidated Plan Exemption.--A collaborative applicant for a
Continuum of Care whose geographic area includes reservation or trust
land is not required to meet the requirement described in section
402(f)(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11360a(f)(2)) in order to be eligible for assistance under the
Continuum of Care program under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.).
``(e) Waiver Authority for Tribal Participation.--In administering
the amounts made available under this section, the Secretary may waive,
or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute
or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the
obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient of these
amounts (except for requirements related to labor standards and the
environment), if the Secretary finds that--
``(1) good cause exists for the waiver or alternative
requirement; and
``(2) such waiver or alternative requirement is necessary
to modify any requirements preventing the participation of
eligible entities in the Continuum of Care Program under
subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.) or would expedite or
facilitate the use of funds.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-330; 110 Stat. 4016) is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 706, as added
by section 701 of this title, the following:
``707. Tribal Continuum of Care Participation Grant Program.''.
SEC. 604. IMPROVING TRIBAL PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE
PROGRAM.
Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11360 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 401 (42 U.S.C. 11360)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (32) through (35)
as paragraphs (33) through (36) respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (31) the
following:
``(32) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term
`tribally designated housing entity' has the meaning given the
term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).'';
(2) in section 423(g) (42 U.S.C. 11383(g)), by inserting
``Indian tribe, tribally designated housing entity,'' after
``private nonprofit organization,''; and
(3) in section 435 (42 U.S.C. 11389)--
(A) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting
``(a) Eligible Entities.--Notwithstanding'';
(B) in subsection (a), as so designated, by
striking ``(as defined in section 4 of the Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act
of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103))''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Civil Rights Exemptions.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Formula area.--The term `formula area' has
the meaning given the term in section 1000.302 of title
24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
``(B) Tribal project.--The term `Tribal project'
means a project in which amounts provided under this
Act shall be used specifically to benefit Tribal
communities or Tribal members.
``(2) Exemptions.--With respect to grants awarded to carry
out eligible activities under this subtitle, title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and title
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.)
shall not apply to applications or awards for--
``(A) projects to be carried out--
``(i) on or off reservation or trust lands
for awards made to Indian Tribes or tribally
designated housing entities; or
``(ii) on reservation or trust lands for
awards made to eligible entities; or
``(B) Tribal projects located in Indian Housing
Block Grant formula areas.
``(c) Certification.--Notwithstanding section 106 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12706) and section
403 of this Act, with respect to applications for projects to be
carried out on reservations or trust land using grants awarded under
this subtitle--
``(1) the applications shall contain a certification of
consistency with an approved Indian housing plan developed
under section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance and
Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4112); and
``(2) Indian tribes and tribally designated housing
entities that are recipients of awards for projects on
reservations or trust land from such funds shall certify that
they are following an approved housing plan developed under
section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4112).
``(d) Consolidated Plan Exemption.--A collaborative applicant for a
continuum of care whose geographic area includes only reservation or
trust land is not required to meet the requirement described in section
402(f)(2).
``(e) Waiver Authority for Tribal Participation.--In administering
the amounts made available under this subtitle, the Secretary may
waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any
statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with
the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the recipient of these
amounts (except for requirements related to labor standards and the
environment), if the Secretary finds that--
``(1) good cause exists for the waiver or alternative
requirement; and
``(2) such waiver or alternative requirement--
``(A) is necessary to modify any requirements
preventing the participation of Indian tribes or
tribally designated housing entities in the program
under this subtitle; or
``(B) would expedite or facilitate the use of
funds.
``(f) Environmental Review.--Projects under this title shall be
treated as assistance for special projects that are subject to section
305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of
1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547), and subject to the regulations issued by the
Secretary to implement such section, and with respect to projects under
this title, an Indian tribe shall be considered a State for purposes of
section 305(c) of such Act.''.
TITLE VII--IMPROVING THE WORKFORCE FOR FAMILIES
SEC. 701. STRENGTHENING THE 477 INITIATIVE.
(a) Statement of Purpose.--Section 2 of the Indian Employment,
Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3401) is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
``(a) In General.--The purpose of this Act (commonly known and
referred to in this section as the `477 Initiative') is to support the
self-sufficiency of Native people, better deliver on the trust and
treaty obligations of the United States, and remove impediments to the
exercise of sovereignty by Indian tribes in their use of Federal funds.
``(b) Accomplishing Purpose.--The 477 Initiative accomplishes the
purpose of this Act described in subsection (a) by facilitating the
ability of Indian tribes to integrate the self-sufficiency, employment,
training, and related services provided by Indian tribes from various
Federal sources in order to improve the effectiveness of those
services, increase self-sufficiency and reduce joblessness in Indian
communities, and serve Tribally determined goals consistent with the
policy of self-determination, while reducing administrative, reporting,
and accounting costs.''.
(b) Integration of Services Authorized.--Section 4 of the Indian
Employment, Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3403)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including'' before
``in accordance with''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``services (including
those supporting self-sufficiency)'' before ``employment''.
(c) Programs Affected.--Section 5 of the Indian Employment,
Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3404) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The programs that may be integrated pursuant to
a plan approved under section 8 shall only be programs that meet the
following program eligibility criteria:
``(1) Federal agency.--The Federal agency providing program
funds to be used to implement the plan shall be 1 of the
following covered Federal agencies:
``(A) The Department of Agriculture.
``(B) The Department of Commerce.
``(C) The Department of Education.
``(D) The Department of Energy.
``(E) The Department of Health and Human Services.
``(F) The Department of Homeland Security.
``(G) The Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
``(H) The Department of the Interior.
``(I) The Department of Justice.
``(J) The Department of Labor.
``(K) The Department of Transportation.
``(L) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
``(2) Program purpose.--The program shall be implemented
for 1 of the following covered purposes:
``(A) Encouraging self-sufficiency.
``(B) Job training.
``(C) Welfare-to-work and Tribal work experience.
``(D) Creating or enhancing employment
opportunities.
``(E) Skill development.
``(F) Assisting Indian youth and adults to succeed
in the workforce.
``(G) Familiarizing individual participants with
the world of work.
``(H) Facilitating the creation of job
opportunities.
``(I) Economic development.
``(J) Any other purpose relating to the purposes
described in subparagraphs (A) through (I), including
programs and services that foster economic security,
stability, or well-being for families, children, or
youth.
``(3) Funding.--The program shall receive a covered type of
funding, which may include--
``(A) funding that an Indian tribe or members of an
Indian tribe--
``(i) are eligible to receive--
``(I) under a statutory or
administrative formula making funds
available to an Indian tribe; or
``(II) based solely or in part on
their status as Indians under Federal
law; or
``(ii) have secured as a result of a
noncompetitive process or a specific
designation; or
``(B) funding from block grant funds provided to an
Indian tribe, regardless of whether the block grant is
for the benefit of the Indian tribe because of the
status of the Indian tribe or the status of the
beneficiaries the grant serves.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``self-sufficiency,''
before ``employment''.
(d) Plan Requirements.--Section 6 of the Indian Employment,
Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3405) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and set the
eligibility of'' after ``identity''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(B)--
(A) by striking ``education, training, and
related''; and
(B) by inserting ``achieve self-sufficiency,
including to'' after ``Indians to''.
(e) Plan Review.--Section 7 of the Indian Employment, Training and
Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3406) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``promulgated by the
agency''; and
(ii) by striking ``subparagraph (b)'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``with--'' and all that
follows through ``or'' in subparagraph (A) and
inserting ``with the purpose of this Act.'';
and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B);
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``waiver--'' and all that follows through
``or'' in paragraph (1) and inserting ``waiver will be
inconsistent with the purpose of this Act.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(3) in subsection (g)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``provisions of this Act'' and
all that follows through ``under this Act'' and inserting
``purpose of this Act''.
(f) Plan Approval; Secretarial Authority; Review of Decision.--
Section 8 of the Indian Employment, Training and Related Agencies Act
of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3407) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``and exercise'' after ``shall
have''; and
(B) by inserting ``, including each program
requested for integration into a plan,'' after ``a
plan'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``in whole or in
part'' before the period at the end;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``in whole or in part''
after ``approves a plan''; and
(ii) by inserting ``approved part of the''
after ``identified in the'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``in whole or in
part'' after ``denies the plan''; and
(D) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting ``, without
waiver decision,'' after ``grant partial approval'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``Notwithstanding any other'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and
notwithstanding any other''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Limitation.--For each plan submitted by an Indian
tribe in accordance with section 6, the Secretary may only
provide 1 extension or alteration under paragraph (1).'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``in whole or in part'' after
``denies a plan''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``with a hearing'' and inserting ``the
opportunity for a hearing''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A)--
(I) by inserting ``relating to
approval of a plan'' after ``a
decision'';
(II) by striking ``the Department
of Health and Human Services'' and
inserting ``relating to approval of a
waiver by an affected Federal agency'';
and
(III) by inserting a comma after
```Department')''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the
Indian Health Service or''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Effect of Approval.--
``(1) In general.--On approval of a plan under this
section, each program included in the approved plan shall
remain eligible for integration under the plan unless--
``(A) the Indian tribe submits an amendment
removing the program;
``(B) the program is repealed or otherwise made
unavailable by an Act of Congress; or
``(C) the Secretary determines, based on a change
in Federal law enacted after approval of the plan, that
continued inclusion of the program is prohibited by
law.
``(2) Limitations.--No Federal agency may--
``(A) require an Indian tribe to remove a program
from an approved plan based solely on an administrative
interpretation, policy, guidance, regulation, or other
agency action adopted after approval of the plan; or
``(B) subsequently revoke, limit, or condition the
integration of a program included in an approved plan
except as expressly required by Federal law.''.
(g) Federal Responsibilities.--Section 11 of the Indian Employment,
Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3410) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``any
consolidated activities'' and inserting ``the
consolidated services''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting ``, subject
to the condition that the memorandum of understanding
may not contradict, restrict, or interfere with any
authority provided pursuant to this Act'' before the
period at the end; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``,
to include continuing to provide underlying
services that would otherwise be provided by
integrated programs'' before the semicolon at
the end; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or
otherwise made inapplicable through the
integration of the program into the plan,
including limitations on consolidation and
reallocation of funds or program reporting
requirements'' before the period at the end;
and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``Limitation'' and inserting ``Limitations'';
(ii) by striking ``The report format'' and
inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--The report format''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) No additional reports.--
``(i) In general.--When an Indian tribe
integrates a program into a plan approved under
section 8--
``(I) the Indian tribe shall no
longer be required to submit any
separate reports on that program; and
``(II) the only report required to
be submitted by the Indian tribe is the
single plan report described in this
section.
``(ii) No waiver required.--No waiver shall
be required for an Indian tribe to no longer be
required to submit the separate reports
described in clause (i)(I).''.
(h) No Reduction in Amounts.--Section 12 of the Indian Employment,
Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C. 3411) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting ``, or the
integration of a program into a plan,'' after ``a plan''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or
compacting'' after ``contracting''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or
compacting'' after ``contracting''.
(i) Administration of Funds.--Section 14(a)(1)(A) of the Indian
Employment, Training and Related Services Act of 1992 (25 U.S.C.
3413(a)(1)(A)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Notwithstanding any other provision'' and
inserting the following:
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any
other provision'';
(2) in clause (i) (as so designated)--
(A) by striking ``a tribe'' and inserting ``an
Indian tribe''; and
(B) by inserting ``self-sufficiency,'' before
``employment''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Consolidation or reallocation.--
``(I) In general.--When an Indian
tribe integrates a program into a plan
approved under section 8, that Indian
tribe may consolidate and reallocate
the funding associated with that
program across services or activities
provided under the plan.
``(II) No waiver required.--No
waiver shall be required for a
consolidation or reallocation described
in subclause (I).''.
SEC. 702. INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT TO EVALUATE ON-SITE CHILD CARE IN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
acting through the Office of Native American Programs, shall enter into
a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human
Services, acting through the Administration for Children and Families,
to evaluate outcomes associated with the co-location of child care
services within affordable housing developments receiving assistance
under programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(b) Scope of Evaluation.--The evaluation required under subsection
(a) shall assess the extent to which the availability of on-site child
care in affordable housing developments--
(1) improves housing stability for low-income families;
(2) increases workforce participation and employment
retention among residents;
(3) supports early childhood development and school
readiness;
(4) reduces barriers to accessing child care, including
cost, transportation, and availability; and
(5) produces other measurable outcomes for families,
including impacts on health, economic mobility, and family
well-being.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall consult with Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of
1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)), tribally designated housing entities (as
defined in that section), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (as
defined in section 801 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 4221)), public housing
agencies, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall
submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the
Senate, the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, and the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a
report that--
(1) summarizes the findings of the evaluation conducted
under subsection (a); and
(2) includes recommendations for administrative,
regulatory, and legislative actions to improve access to
affordable, high-quality child care for families residing in
housing assisted by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, including in Native communities.
SEC. 703. SET-ASIDE OF CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR
INDIAN TRIBES.
Section 658O(a)(2) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m(a)(2)) is amended, in subparagraphs (A)
and (B), by striking ``2 percent'' and inserting ``5 percent''.
SEC. 704. REQUIREMENT OF CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBES.
Section 658O(c) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Consultation.--In establishing requirements,
including requirements relating to applications, under this
subsection, the Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes and
tribal organizations (including such tribes that are Alaska
Native villages or regional or village corporations, and
including Native Hawaiian organizations and other organizations
described in section 658P(15)(B)), experts in Indian early
childhood education and development, linguists, and the
National Indian Child Care Association.''.
SEC. 705. NATIVE AMERICAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
9857 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 658T. NATIVE AMERICAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Secretary for Children and Families (referred to in
this section as the `Secretary'), shall establish within the
Office of Early Childhood Development an advisory committee to
be known as the `Native American Advisory Committee on Early
Childhood'.
``(2) Purpose.--The Committee shall facilitate, but not
supplant, government-to-government consultation between the
Secretary and Indian tribes on matters relating to early
childhood development of American Indian and Alaska Native
children.
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) Composition.--The Committee shall be composed of 15
members, appointed in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3),
as follows:
``(A) 1 representative from each of the 12 service
areas of the Indian Health Service.
``(B) 1 representative from the National Indian
Child Care Association.
``(C) 1 representative from the National Indian
Head Start Association.
``(D) 1 representative from a national urban Indian
organization.
``(2) Appointment.--The Secretary shall appoint the members
of the Committee from nominations submitted by Indian tribes,
tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations.
``(3) Qualifications.--To the maximum extent practicable,
the Secretary shall ensure that--
``(A) members of the Committee--
``(i) represent diverse geographic regions,
including Alaska and Hawai`i;
``(ii) have expertise in Tribally led early
childhood education efforts; and
``(iii) have expertise in areas such as
early childhood development, Tribal child care,
or public health; and
``(B) not fewer than 1 member represents Native
youth.
``(4) Terms.--
``(A) In general.--Each member of the Committee
shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
``(B) Reappointment.--Members of the Committee may
be reappointed for not more than 2 consecutive terms.
``(C) Vacancies.--Vacancies in the membership of
the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment for the remainder of the term.
``(c) Duties.--The Committee shall--
``(1) identify emerging issues affecting the early
childhood of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian children;
``(2) propose solutions and provide recommendations, with
respect to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian
children--
``(A) to improve programs for Tribes that support
early childhood education and development;
``(B) to improve access to child care;
``(C) to enhance culturally appropriate care; and
``(D) to strengthen early childhood data collection
and surveillance;
``(3) provide guidance on Tribal consultation for early
childhood initiatives;
``(4) identify interdepartmental barriers and propose
solutions for coordination between the Administration for
Children and Families and--
``(A) the Indian Health Service;
``(B) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
``(C) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration; and
``(D) the Department of the Interior; and
``(5) advise on integration of traditional American Indian,
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian practices in early childhood
development programs.
``(d) Meetings.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall meet in person not
less frequently than twice each year.
``(2) Agency representation.--The Assistant Secretary for
Children and Families (or a designee) shall attend each meeting
of the Committee.
``(e) Reporting.--
``(1) Committee reports.--Not less frequently than
annually, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the
relevant committees of Congress a report on--
``(A) the activities of the Committee;
``(B) early childhood education and child care
challenges affecting Tribal communities; and
``(C) recommendations for legislative and
administrative actions.
``(2) Agency response.--Not later than 45 days after
receiving a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit a written response to--
``(A) the Committee; and
``(B) the relevant committees of Congress.
``(f) Compensation.--
``(1) In general.--Members of the Committee shall serve
without compensation.
``(2) Reimbursement.--Members of the Committee shall be
reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary
expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the duties of
Committee.
``(g) Support.--At the request of the Committee, the Secretary
shall appoint such administrative and staff support to the Committee to
enable the Committee to carry out the duties of the Committee.
``(h) Applicability of FACA.--Chapter 10 of title 5, United States
Code (commonly referred to as the `Federal Advisory Committee Act'),
shall not apply to the Committee.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Committee.--The term `Committee' means the Native
American Advisory Committee on Early Childhood established
under subsection (a)(1).
``(2) Native youth.--The term `Native youth' means an
individual--
``(A) who is 24 years of age or less; and
``(B) who is an American Indian, an Alaska Native,
or a Native Hawaiian.
``(3) Relevant committees of congress.--The term `relevant
committees of Congress' means--
``(A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate;
``(B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the
Senate; and
``(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
TITLE VIII--EDUCATION
SEC. 801. SUPPORTING NATIVE AMERICAN TEACHER TRAINING AND TEACHER
DEVELOPMENT.
Section 311 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1057) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Special consideration shall be given to an eligible
institution that is a Tribal College or University (as defined
in section 316(b)), a Native American-serving, nontribal
institution (as defined in section 319(b)), an Alaska Native-
serving institution (as defined in section 317(b)), or a Native
Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in such section).'';
and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (13) as paragraph
(14); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (12) the
following:
``(13) Development or improvement of academic programs that
will serve American Indian and Alaska Native teachers or
support the development of culturally appropriate curricula for
American Indian and Alaska Native populations, including Native
American language programs.''.
SEC. 802. PILOT PROGRAM FOR NATIVE TEACHER APPRENTICES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``elementary school'' and
``secondary school'' have the meanings given the terms in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) Education-related occupation.--The term ``education-
related occupation'' includes the occupations of childcare
worker, preschool teacher, teaching assistant, elementary
school teacher, secondary school teacher, elementary school or
secondary school administrator, and any other educational
occupation approved by the Secretary of Labor for purposes of a
registered apprenticeship program.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) an entity that--
(i) is--
(I) an Indian Tribe;
(II) a Tribal organization;
(III) a Native Hawaiian
organization, as defined in section
6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education
Act (20 U.S.C. 7517); or
(IV) an Indian Head Start program;
and
(ii) enters into a partnership for purposes
of a grant under this section with an
institution of postsecondary education
described in any of subclauses (I) through (IV)
of subparagraph (B)(i); or
(B) a postsecondary education institution that--
(i) is--
(I) a Tribal College or University,
as defined in section 316 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c);
(II) a Native American-serving,
nontribal institution, as defined in
section 319 of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1059f);
(III) an Alaska Native-serving
institution or a Native Hawaiian-
serving institution, as defined in
section 317 of such Act (20 U.S.C.
1059d); or
(IV) another institution of higher
education, as defined in section 101 of
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1001); and
(ii) enters into a partnership for purposes
of the grant under this section with an Indian
Tribe or organization described in any of
subclauses (I) through (III) of subparagraph
(A)(i).
(4) Indian head start program.--The term ``Indian Head
Start program'' means a Head Start program (including an Early
Head Start program) funded under section 645(d)(1) of the Head
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9840(d)(1)) and operated by an Indian
tribe (as defined in section 637 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 9832)),
Tribal organization, or other entity serving primarily Native
American children and families.
(5) Registered apprenticeship.--The term ``registered
apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship registered under the
Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National
Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50
et seq.).
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(7) Teacher apprenticeship program.--The term ``teacher
apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program
through which individuals receive accreditation or
certification in an education-related occupation.
(b) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of
the Administration for Native Americans, shall establish a pilot
program to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out teacher
apprenticeship programs to address the shortage of education
professionals serving Native American early childhood programs and
Native American elementary school and secondary school students,
particularly in remote or rural communities.
(c) Activities.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this
section shall use grant funds to carry out 1 or more of the following:
(1) The planning and establishment of a teacher
apprenticeship program, including the creation of a unique
community-tailored curriculum for such an apprenticeship
program.
(2) The support and expansion of an existing teacher
apprenticeship program.
(3) The investigation of efficacy of a teacher
apprenticeship program in teacher retention and satisfaction
and student outcomes (including student well-being).
(4) Providing wraparound services to students in the
teacher apprenticeship program, which may include the
following:
(A) Tuition.
(B) Textbooks and other class materials.
(C) Technology, such as laptops and internet
stipends.
(D) Childcare support.
(E) Salaries or stipends for program staff, such as
a coordinator or student mentors.
(F) Any other activity, item, or service included
in the student's cost of attendance, as defined in
section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1087ll), for the program.
(d) Application; Selection.--
(1) Award basis.--
(A) Selection.--The Secretary shall select not
fewer than 5 eligible entities to receive a grant as
part of the pilot program under this section.
(B) Priority.--In selecting eligible entities to
receive a grant under this section, the Secretary shall
give priority to eligible entities serving rural or
remote communities with demonstrated shortages of
teachers or in other education-related occupations.
(2) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring to receive
a grant under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary shall reasonably require,
including the following:
(A) A detailed description of the program for which
the grant is requested, including--
(i) the relevant degree or certification
program for program participants;
(ii) the workplaces in which program
participants will serve as paid apprentices;
(iii) mentorship plans for program
participants; and
(iv) additional resources for program
participants.
(B) A detailed budget for the program.
(C) A detailed description of the challenges faced
by the community to be served by the program with
respect to teacher and other educator recruitment and
retention, and how the program will address such
challenges.
(D) A detailed description of a plan to be carried
out by the eligible entity to evaluate the program
supported with grant funds under this section.
(E) In the case of an eligible entity that
determines that the objectives of the program would be
accomplished more effectively through a partnership
arrangement with an educational entity (such as a
school or preschool) at which participants will be
placed in teacher apprenticeships, an identification of
such entity as a partner.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.
SEC. 803. SUPPORTING AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN
CHILDREN.
Section 6115(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7425(b)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13) as paragraphs
(13) and (14), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
``(12) after-school programming;''.
SEC. 804. PROMOTING AND STRENGTHENING NATIVE LANGUAGES.
(a) Native American Language Resource Centers.--Section 2 of the
Native American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. 7457)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Reports.--
``(1) Native american language resource center reports.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the Native Children's Commission
Implementation Act of 2026 and every 3 years
thereafter, the national Native American language
resource center established under subsection (b) shall
produce a report, in coordination with the regional
centers of the Native American language resource
center, that provides information on the status of the
work of the Native American language resource center
and each of the regional centers and recommendations to
Congress--
``(i) for the strengthening of Native
American language teaching and learning,
including through Indian Head Start programs;
and
``(ii) regarding how to use, practice, and
develop Native American languages in alignment
with the policy described in section 104 of the
Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2903).
``(B) Public availability.--Each report produced
under subparagraph (A) shall be shared publicly and
with Congress.
``(2) Information on nala schools.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of the Native Children's Commission
Implementation Act of 2026, the national Native American
language resource center established under subsection (b) shall
submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs and the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the
Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Education
and Workforce of the House of Representatives, a report on NALA
schools in the United States that shall include--
``(A) identification of all NALA schools operating
in the United States that are certified under section
3(c);
``(B) for each such certified NALA school--
``(i) the level at which such NALA school
operates, as determined by the percentage of
time spent with the Native American language
functioning as the medium of communication in
the classroom;
``(ii) an estimate of the number of pupils
at each grade level and age range served at
each such NALA school;
``(iii) the cost per-pupil at each such
NALA school;
``(iv)(I) the estimated number of students
at each such NALA school who have completed the
highest grade level of such school; and
``(II) to the extent available, the
estimated numbers--
``(aa) of such students graduating
high school; and
``(bb) of such students enrolling
in postsecondary education; and
``(v) a description of the Federal funding
sources used by each such NALA school;
``(C) a description of the barriers to funding and
operation faced by certified NALA schools; and
``(D) information on--
``(i) certified NALA schools that are using
1 or more Native American languages as a
language of instruction at a level equal to
less than 51 percent of the time; and
``(ii) individuals and entities who have
contacted the national Native American language
resource center seeking information on how to
increase the level of Native American language
used in school.'';
(3) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) Native american languages school; nala school.--The
term `Native American languages school', also referred to as a
`NALA school', mean an early childhood education, elementary,
or secondary school or program--
``(A) that serves students in any grade in early
childhood education (including infant classes) through
grade 12; and
``(B) for which a Native American language serves
as the primary medium of instruction for all grade
levels and all academic subjects offered by the school,
except for English language arts instruction.''; and
(4) in subsection (g), as so redesignated--
(A) by striking ``There are'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--There are'';
(B) by inserting ``(except for subsection (e))''
after ``this section''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Reporting requirements authorization.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
subsection (e), $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and
$250,000 for each subsequent fiscal year.''.
(b) Support for Native American Language Schools.--The Native
American Language Resource Center Act of 2022 (20 U.S.C. 7457) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 3. SUPPORT FOR NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE SCHOOLS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) In general.--The definitions under section 2(f) shall
apply.
``(2) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50 States
and the District of Columbia.
``(b) Authorization of Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Education shall award
grants, from allotments made under paragraph (2), to Native
American languages schools that are certified under subsection
(c) and have an approved application, as described in
subsection (d), to enable such schools to carry out activities
described in subsection (e).
``(2) Amount of grant awards.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall allot to
each NALA school with an approved application an amount
equal to the product of--
``(i) the number of students served by such
NALA school;
``(ii) the amount by which the percentage
of time spent at the NALA school using a Native
American language as the primary language of
instruction at each grade level in the school
exceeds 50 percent; and
``(iii) the greater of--
``(I) the average per-pupil
expenditure at elementary schools or
secondary schools or both (as
applicable depending on if the NALA
school serves elementary school
students or secondary school students,
or both), of the State in which such
NALA school is located; or
``(II) 80 percent of the average
per-pupil expenditure at elementary
schools or secondary schools, or both
(as applicable depending on if the NALA
school serves elementary school
students or secondary school students,
or both), of all the States.
``(B) Ratable amounts.--If the sums appropriated
for any fiscal year under subsection (h) are
insufficient to pay in full the allotments determined
under subparagraph (A) for all NALA schools, each of
those amounts shall be ratably reduced.
``(C) Amount of grant awards for nala schools that
are early childhood education programs.--The Secretary
shall allot to each NALA school that is an early
childhood education program with an approved
application, as described in subsection (d), an amount
equal to the product of the number of students served
by such NALA school and an amount determined by the
Secretary.
``(c) NALA School Eligibility and Certification.--
``(1) Standard.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the national Native American
language resource center established under section 2(b) shall
develop a certification standard for NALA schools, to be
renewed every 2 years, which may include requirements related
to a NALA school's family engagement programming.
``(2) Certification.--Based on the standard developed under
paragraph (1), the national Native American language resource
center shall certify eligible schools as certified NALA
schools.
``(d) Application.--
``(1) In general.--A NALA school that desires to receive an
allotment under this section shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary and the national Native American
language resource center established under section 2(b) may
reasonably require.
``(2) Contents.--The application submitted under this
subsection shall include--
``(A) verification that the NALA school is
certified under subsection (c); and
``(B) a description of the services and activities
to be supported under the allotment.
``(e) Authorized Services and Activities.--Each NALA school that
receives a grant under this section shall use the allotment for
services and activities that preserve Native American languages, such
as services and activities that--
``(1) are designed to support the use, practice, and
development of Native American languages and fluent language
acquisition and maintenance in alignment with the policy
described in section 104 of the Native American Languages Act
(25 U.S.C. 2903); and
``(2) supplement, enrich, and strengthen the education
program of such NALA school.
``(f) Administrative Cap.--A NALA school receiving an allotment
under this section may use the allotments for administrative costs in
accordance with the federally negotiated indirect cost rate applicable
to the eligible entity.
``(g) Prohibition on Duplicative Funding.--
``(1) In general.--A NALA school that receives an allotment
under this section for a fiscal year shall not be eligible to
receive funding under section 6133 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7453) for the same
fiscal year.
``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to limit eligibility under section 6133 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7453) for a NALA school, Native American language program, or
other eligible entity under such section that does not receive
funding under this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 805. ADDRESSING THE INDIRECT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF INDIAN
EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Authorized Services and Activities.--Section 6115 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7425) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ``for administrative
purposes'' and inserting ``for direct administrative costs'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Duration.--A grant awarded under this subpart shall be for a
5-year period.''.
(b) Improvement of Educational Opportunities for Indian Children
and Youth.--Section 6121(e) of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7441(e)) is amended by striking ``for
administrative purposes'' and inserting ``for direct administrative
costs''.
(c) Native American and Alaska Native Language Immersion Schools
and Programs.--Section 6133 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7441) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``3 years'' and
inserting ``5 years''; and
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ``for administrative
purposes'' and inserting ``for direct administrative costs''.
(d) Alaska Native Education Program.--Section 6304 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7544) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Administrative costs.--Any limitation on the use of
funds for administrative purposes under this part shall apply
only to direct administrative costs and shall not include
indirect costs recovered pursuant to a federally negotiated
indirect cost rate.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be for a
5-year period.''.
(e) Native Hawaiian Education Program.--Section 6205 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7515) is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Administrative Costs.--
``(1) In general.--Not more than 5 percent of funds
provided to a recipient of a grant or contract under subsection
(a) for any fiscal year may be used for administrative
purposes.
``(2) Limitation.--Any limitation on the use of funds for
administrative purposes under this part shall apply only to
direct administrative costs and shall not include indirect
costs recovered pursuant to a federally negotiated indirect
cost rate.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall be for a
5-year period.''.
SEC. 806. INCREASING ACCESS TO HEAD START FOR NATIVE CHILDREN.
(a) Definitions.--Section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9832) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(27)(A) The term `Indian' means a member of an Indian
tribe.
``(B) The term `Indian Head Start agency' means an Indian
tribe that operates, or an entity that is designated by an
Indian tribe to operate on its behalf, a Head Start program
(including an Early Head Start program).
``(28) The term `Native American language' has the meaning
given the term in section 103 of the Native American Languages
Act (25 U.S.C. 2902).
``(29)(A) The term `Native Hawaiian' has the meaning given
the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act
(20 U.S.C. 7517).
``(B) The term `Native Hawaiian Head Start' means an
entity, in the State of Hawaii, that has experience developing
or operating programs for Native Hawaiians or programs of
instruction in the Native Hawaiian language or culture, that is
designated by the Secretary to operate a Head Start program
(including an Early Head Start program).
``(C) The term `Native Hawaiian language' has the meaning
given the term in section 6207 of the Native Hawaiian Education
Act (20 U.S.C. 7517).''.
(b) Allotment of Funds.--Section 640(a) of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9835(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii);
and
(C) by inserting after clause (v) the following:
``(vi) if a base grant has been established through
appropriations for the Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies
administering Native Hawaiian Head Start programs (including
Native Hawaiian Early Head Start programs), to provide an
amount for the Native Hawaiian Head Start programs that is
equal to the amount provided for base grants for agencies
described in this clause under this subchapter for the prior
fiscal year, by allotting to each agency described in this
clause an amount equal to that agency's base grant for the
prior fiscal year; and'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II), by striking
``programs), and'' and inserting ``programs), not more
than $1,000,000 for Native Hawaiian Head Start
programs, and''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking clause (i) and inserting
the following:
``(i) For purposes of this subsection, the term `special expansion
provisions' means clause (i)(II), and subclauses (I)(aa) and (II)(bb)
of clause (ii), of subparagraph (A).''; and
(ii) in clause (ii)(I), by striking
``Indian Head Start programs or migrant or
seasonal Head Start programs'' and inserting
``Indian Head Start programs, Native Hawaiian
Head Start programs, or migrant or seasonal
Head Start programs'';
(3) in paragraph (4)(D)--
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ``3 percent'' and
inserting ``5 percent'';
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as
clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) for any fiscal year after the last fiscal year for
which Native Hawaiian Head Start programs receive funds under
the special expansion provisions, use 0.3 percent for Head
Start programs funded under paragraph (2)(B)(vi) (other than
Early Head Start programs);'';
(4) in paragraph (5)(B), by inserting after clause (viii)
the following:
``(ix) Acquiring and maintaining proper facilities for
Indian Head Start agencies (including Alaska Native Head Start
agencies) and Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies.''; and
(5) in paragraph (7)(A), by inserting before the period at
the end the following: ``, including the amount established
through appropriations as described in clause (v) or (vi) of
paragraph (2)(B)''.
(c) Waiver for Matching Funds.--Section 640(b) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 9835(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``If the
Secretary approves financial assistance under this subchapter in excess
of 80 percent of the approved costs of the assisted program or
activities in accordance with this subsection for an Indian Head Start
program, that approval shall be for a 5-year period or, if shorter, the
remaining duration of the corresponding Head Start agency's designation
period.''.
(d) Farmworker, Indian, and Native Hawaiian Head Start Programs.--
Section 640(l) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(l)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Indian children and
children of migrant and seasonal farmworker families'' and
inserting ``Indian children, Native Hawaiian children, and
children of migrant and seasonal farmworker families''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(5)(A) For the purposes of carrying out paragraph (3), the
Secretary shall annually engage with Native Hawaiian Head Start
agencies operating Native Hawaiian Head Start (including Early Head
Start) programs or operating Head Start (including Early Head Start)
programs.
``(B) The engagements shall be for the purpose of better meeting
the needs of Native Hawaiian children and families, in accordance with
this subchapter, taking into consideration funding allotments,
distribution formulas, and other issues affecting the delivery of Head
Start services in their geographic locations.
``(C) The Secretary shall publish a notification of the engagements
in the Federal Register before conducting the engagements.
``(D) The Secretary shall ensure that a detailed report of each
engagement shall be prepared and made available, within 90 days after
the engagement, to all Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies receiving
funds under this subchapter.''.
(e) Designation of Head Start Agencies.--Section 641(c)(7) of the
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(c)(7)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
``(iv) in the case of a Native Hawaiian
Head Start agency, to not be delivering a high-
quality and comprehensive Head Start program
shall (notwithstanding clause (ii)) be subject
to the requirements of subparagraph (C).''; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B), the following:
``(C) Native hawaiian head start engagement and
reevaluation.--On making a determination described in
subparagraph (A)(iv), the Secretary shall engage in
stakeholder engagement with the appropriate Native
Hawaiian Head Start agencies for the purpose of
establishing a plan to improve the quality of Head
Start programs operated by the Native Hawaiian Head
Start agency. Such plan shall be established and
implemented within 6 months after the Secretary's
determination. Not more than 6 months after the
implementation of that plan, the Secretary shall
reevaluate the performance of the Native Hawaiian Head
Start agency. If the Native Hawaiian Head Start agency
is still not delivering a high-quality and
comprehensive Head Start program, the Secretary shall
conduct an open competition as described in subsection
(d).''.
(f) Standards; Monitoring of Head Start Agencies and Programs.--
Section 641A of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (D) and
inserting the following:
``(D) consult with Indian tribes, including Alaska
Natives, and engage with Native Hawaiian Head Start
agencies and experts in Indian, Alaska Native, and
Native Hawaiian early childhood education and
development, linguists, and the National Indian Head
Start Directors Association on the review and
promulgation of standards under paragraph (1)
(including standards for language acquisition and
school readiness).'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``, including Indian
Head Start agencies and Native Hawaiian Head Start agencies,''
after ``Head Start agencies''; and
(3) in subsection (h)(6)(A)--
(A) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as
clauses (iv) and (v), respectively;
(B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
``(iii) Native hawaiian head start
programs.--If such funds are derived from a
Native Hawaiian Head Start program, then such
funds shall be redistributed to increase
enrollment by the end of the following fiscal
year in 1 or more Native Hawaiian Head Start
programs.'';
(C) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by adding
at the end the following: ``If such funds are derived
from a Native Hawaiian Early Head Start program, then
such funds shall be redistributed to increase
enrollment by the end of the following fiscal year in 1
or more Native Hawaiian Early Head Start programs.'';
and
(D) in clause (v), as so redesignated, by striking
``clauses (i) through (iii)'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``clauses (i) through (iv)''.
(g) Head Start Collaboration; State Early Education and Care.--
Section 642B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``section
640(a)(2)(B)(vi)'' and inserting ``section
640(a)(2)(B)(vii)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``, to the
State administrative office serving Native Hawaiian
Head Start programs,'' after ``to each State''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(C)(vi), by striking ``including
migrant and seasonal Head Start programs and Indian Head Start
programs'' and inserting ``including migrant or seasonal Head
Start programs, Indian Head Start programs, and Native Hawaiian
Head Start programs, as applicable''.
(h) Reallocations.--Section 645 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9840) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d), by striking ``(d)'' and all that
following through ``(3) Notwithstanding'' and inserting
``(d)(1) Notwithstanding''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a Native
Hawaiian Head Start agency that operates both an Early Head Start
program under section 645A and a Head Start program may, at its
discretion, at any time during the grant period involved, reallocate
funds between the Early Head Start program and the Head Start program
in order to address fluctuations in client populations, including
pregnant women and children from birth to compulsory school age. The
reallocation of such funds between programs by a Native Hawaiian Head
Start agency during a year shall not serve as the basis for the
Secretary to reduce a base grant (as defined in section 640(a)(7)) for
either program in succeeding years.''.
(i) Member Priority Selection.--
(1) In general.--Section 645 of the Head Start Act is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e)(1) An Indian tribe that operates a Head Start program may, at
its discretion, establish selection criteria, including criteria to
prioritize children in families for which a child, a family member, or
a member of the same household, is a member of an Indian tribe, to
enroll children who would benefit from the Head Start program.
``(2) A Native Hawaiian Head Start agency may determine eligibility
for Head Start services without regard to family income. Such agency
shall establish selection criteria, consistent with community needs
identified pursuant to this subchapter, to determine which children
shall be enrolled and prioritized for services.''.
(2) Repeal.--The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2024, is amended by striking section 238 of division D (42
U.S.C. 9840 note).
(j) Native Hawaiian Head Start Flexibilities.--Notwithstanding any
provision of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), the Secretary
of Health and Human Services, after engagement with Native Hawaiian
Head Start agencies that operate Native Hawaiian Head Start programs,
including Native Hawaiian Early Head Start programs, shall promulgate
regulations under such Act that provide flexibilities for Native
Hawaiian Head Start programs (including Native Hawaiian Early Head
Start programs) that are analogous to the flexibilities provided for
Indian Head Start programs (including Indian Early Head Start
programs), as appropriate, including with respect to impasse
procedures, service areas, eligibility requirements, reallocation of
funds across Head Start and Early Head Start programs, selection
criteria, facilities, data systems, Native American cultural
preservation and language revitalization activities, designation
renewal, and replacement of grant recipients.
SEC. 807. ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN BIE SCHOOLS.
Section 722(c)(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11432(c)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ``1 percent'' and inserting
``2 percent, subject to subparagraph (C),'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``Of that transferred amount, not more than
$250,000 may be used to provide grant funding
to a nonprofit organization for technical
assistance, including training, materials,
grant application assistance, proper
enumeration of children, capacity expansion,
and coordination between the Bureau of Indian
Education and schools funded by the Secretary
of the Interior.''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by adding at the end the
following: ``Such agreement shall also provide that the
transferred funds described in clause (i) may be used
for emergency housing for students.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Hold harmless.--For any fiscal year in which,
after the application of subparagraph (A), the amount
of an allotment under paragraph (1) to a State for a
fiscal year would be less than the amount that such
State received under such paragraph for fiscal year
2024 (referred to in this subparagraph as the `FY 2024
amount'), the Secretary shall reduce the percentage
reserved under subparagraph (B) in order to provide
each State with the FY 2024 amount, except that in no
case shall the Secretary reduce such percentage to less
than 1 percent.''.
SEC. 808. BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
PROGRAM.
Part B of title XI of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C.
2000 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1139 (25 U.S.C.
2019) the following:
``SEC. 1139A. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient'
means any student or staff or faculty member at a Bureau-funded
school.
``(2) Program.--The term `program' means the Behavioral
Health and Wellness Program established under subsection (b).
``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary,
acting through the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program, to
be known as the `Behavioral Health and Wellness Program', to fill
existing behavioral health gaps across Bureau-funded schools, including
dormitories.
``(c) Services.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall
provide to eligible recipients, subject to the availability of funding,
and at the discretion of the leadership of the applicable Bureau-funded
school--
``(1) virtual counseling services;
``(2) a hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
for immediate crisis support relating to behavioral health;
``(3) crisis response and support services; and
``(4) such other behavioral health services as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(d) Contracting Authority.--For purposes of providing any service
described in subsection (c), the Secretary may enter into a contract,
memorandum of understanding, or interagency agreement, as applicable,
with--
``(1) a relevant Federal partner; or
``(2) an entity that has a demonstrated record of providing
behavioral health services and working with tribes, Bureau-
funded schools, and Indian students.
``(e) Training and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide
training and technical assistance to Bureau-funded schools that
implement services described in subsection (c) or any other additional
behavioral health services.
``(f) Continuation of Program.--The program carried out under this
section shall be a continuation of the Behavioral Health and Wellness
Program carried out by the Bureau of Indian Education that terminated
on January 31, 2026.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out the program $8,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2032.''.
SEC. 809. ALASKA TRIBAL SCHOOL PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--Section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools
Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (9) as
paragraphs (2) through (10), respectively; and
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(1) Alaska tribal school.--The term `Alaska Tribal
school' means a full-time public school program operated in
Alaska by--
``(A) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
``(B) a Tribal organization (as defined in that
section); or
``(C) a public or public charter school that--
``(i) operates specifically to serve Alaska
Native students; and
``(ii) has a resolution of support from an
Indian Tribe (as so defined).''.
(b) Alaska Tribal School Program.--
(1) In general.--The Tribally Controlled Schools Act of
1988 is amended--
(A) by redesignating sections 5209 through 5212 (25
U.S.C. 2508 through 2511) as sections 5210 through
5213, respectively; and
(B) by inserting after section 5208 the following:
``SEC. 5209. ALASKA TRIBAL SCHOOL PROGRAM.
``(a) ISDEAA Terms.--In this section, the terms `Indian Tribe' and
`Tribal organization' have the meanings given those terms in section 4
of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304).
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program
within the Department of the Interior to provide grants to--
``(1) Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations that operate a
public or public charter school in Alaska that has been
certified as an Alaska Tribal school by the Secretary; and
``(2) a public or public charter school operated
specifically to serve Alaska Native students that--
``(A) has a resolution of support from an Indian
Tribe; and
``(B) has been certified as an Alaska Tribal school
by the Secretary.
``(c) Grant Amounts.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the
amounts of grants awarded under this section based on a per-
student formula determined through a negotiated rulemaking with
Alaska Tribal schools in existence on the date of enactment of
the Native Children's Commission Implementation Act of 2026.
``(2) Requirements.--The formula determined under paragraph
(1) shall consider--
``(A) the hours served per day by the applicable
Alaska Tribal school;
``(B) the grades served by the Alaska Tribal
school;
``(C) the isolation of the Alaska Tribal school;
``(D) the cost of living of the area served by the
Alaska Tribal school; and
``(E) additional costs associated with Native
language programs, as determined by the Secretary.
``(d) Use of Funds.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
a grant awarded under this section may be used for any of the
following:
``(1) Expenditures for education-related activities,
including school operations, academics, extracurricular
programs, residential offerings, guidance and counseling, and
administrative purposes.
``(2) Support services for the applicable Alaska Tribal
school, including transportation.
``(e) Limitations.--
``(1) In general.--Not more than 1 grant may be awarded
under this section with respect to any Indian Tribe, Tribal
organization, or public charter school each fiscal year.
``(2) No acquisition of real property or construction.--A
grant awarded under this section may not be used--
``(A) to acquire real property; or
``(B) to construct a facility.
``(f) Application.--
``(1) Indian self-determination and education assistance
act.--Indian Tribes may include funding provided under this
section in contracts or compacts made with the Department of
the Interior under the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
``(2) Endowments.--Section 5212 shall apply to Alaska
Tribal schools receiving a grant under this section.
``(g) Annual Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--If the Secretary determines that an
Alaska Tribal school is eligible for assistance under this
section, the eligibility determination shall remain in effect
until the determination is revoked by the Secretary.
``(2) Annual reports.--Each recipient of a grant awarded
under this section shall complete, and submit to the applicable
Tribal council and the Secretary, an annual report, which shall
include--
``(A) a description of the activities carried out
using grant funds;
``(B) information on how those activities supported
student academic achievement, student well-being, and
other student outcomes identified by the applicable
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; and
``(C) any recommendations on how to improve the
program under this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 5204(b) of the Tribally Controlled
Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2503(b)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (4)(A)--
(I) by striking ``section
5204(a)(2)'' and inserting ``subsection
(a)(2)''; and
(II) by striking ``section
5204(a)'' and inserting ``subsection
(a)''; and
(ii) in each of paragraphs (4)(B)(iv) and
(5)(B), by striking ``section 5209(e)'' and
inserting ``section 5208(e)''.
(B) Section 1001(a)(6) of the Energy Act of 2020
(42 U.S.C. 6371k(a)(6)) is amended by striking
``section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act
of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511))'' and inserting ``section
5213 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988)''.
(C) Section 741(a)(5)(A)(v) of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16091(a)(5)(A)(v)) is amended,
in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking
``section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act
of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511))'' and inserting ``section
5213 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988)''.
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