PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 10, 2020
Savanna's Act
This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review, revise, and develop law enforcement and justice protocols to address missing or murdered Native Americans.
The bill requires DOJ to
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provide training to law enforcement agencies on how to record tribal enrollment for victims in federal databases;
develop and implement a strategy to educate the public on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System;
conduct specific outreach to tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding the ability to publicly enter information through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or other non-law enforcement sensitive portal;
develop regionally appropriate guidelines for response to cases of missing or murdered Native Americans;
provide training and technical assistance to tribes and law enforcement agencies for implementation of the developed guidelines; and
report statistics on missing or murdered Native Americans.
Tribes may submit their own guidelines to DOJ that respond to cases of missing or murdered Native Americans.
Additionally, the bill authorizes DOJ to provide grants for the purposes of (1) developing and implementing policies and protocols for law enforcement regarding cases of missing or murdered Native Americans, and (2) compiling and annually reporting data relating to missing or murdered Native Americans.
Federal law enforcement agencies must modify their guidelines to incorporate the guidelines developed by DOJ.
Finally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation must include gender in its annual statistics on missing and unidentified persons published on its website.
People & committees
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] · R–AK
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 116-165.
Became Public Law No: 116-165.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4573-4574)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 227.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4573-4576)
Ms. Scanlon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1708-1709; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S1708-1709)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 407.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-206.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-206.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-67.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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