S-227 : Became Public Law

Savanna's Act

This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols to address missing and murdered Indians.

The bill requires DOJ to take the following actions:

  • provide training to law enforcement agencies on how to record tribal enrollment for victims in federal databases,
  • develop and implement a strategy to notify citizens of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System,
  • conduct specific outreach to Indian tribes regarding the ability to publicly enter information through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or other non-law enforcement sensitive portal,
  • develop guidelines for response to cases of missing and murdered Indians,
  • provide training and technical assistance to Indian tribes and law enforcement agencies for implementation of the developed guidelines, and
  • report statistics on missing and murdered Indians.

Federal law enforcement agencies must modify their guidelines to incorporate the guidelines developed by DOJ.

The FBI shall include gender in its annual statistics on missing and unidentified persons published on its website.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2020-10-10PresidentBecame Public Law No: 116-165.Library of Congress
2020-10-10PresidentSigned by President.Library of Congress
2020-09-30FloorPresented to President.House floor actions
2020-09-21FloorMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
2020-09-21FloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4573-4574)House floor actions
2020-09-21FloorDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 227.House floor actions
2020-09-21FloorConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4573-4576)House floor actions
2020-09-21FloorMs. Scanlon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
2020-03-12FloorHeld at the desk.House floor actions
2020-03-12FloorReceived in the House.House floor actions
2020-03-12FloorMessage on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
2020-03-11FloorPassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1708-1709; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1708-1709)Senate
2020-01-15CalendarsPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 407.Senate
2020-01-15CommitteeCommittee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-206.Senate
2019-11-20CommitteeCommittee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.Senate
2019-06-19CommitteeCommittee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-67.Senate
2019-01-25IntroReferralRead twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.Senate
2019-01-25IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Native Americans
See Subjects
  • Assault and harassment offenses
  • Congressional oversight
  • Crime victims
  • Crimes against women
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Criminal justice information and records
  • Federal-Indian relations
  • Government information and archives
  • Health information and medical records
  • Indian social and development programs
  • Intergovernmental relations
  • Law enforcement administration and funding
  • Missing persons
  • Right of privacy
  • Sex offenses
  • State and local government operations
  • Violent crime

Related Bills

See Related Bills