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Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-761| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
Lisa Murkowski

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (26)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States , along with necessary advisory committees and subcommittees. Its primary purposes are to formally investigate, document, and report on the histories and systematic long-term effects of Indian Boarding Schools and their associated policies on Native American peoples. The bill also aims to develop Federal recommendations based on the Commission's findings and promote healing for survivors, their descendants, and affected communities. The Commission, established in the legislative branch, will consist of five members appointed by Congressional leaders, serving a six-year term. It is tasked with a comprehensive interdisciplinary investigation into the social, cultural, economic, emotional, and physical impacts of these policies. This includes reviewing existing research, collaborating with Federal and religious entities, and assessing effects on Native cultures, traditions, and languages. A key duty involves holding safe, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate public or private meetings to receive testimony, ensuring adequate trauma-informed care services are available for participants. The Commission will also coordinate efforts to locate, identify, and document marked and unmarked burial sites associated with Indian Boarding Schools, sharing this information with lineal descendants and Tribes. It is funded with $90 million from existing appropriations. The Commission is mandated to make recommendations to Congress, addressing how the Federal Government can acknowledge its role, modify existing statutes and practices, and promote public awareness and education. These recommendations will be included in an initial report due four years after establishment and a final report before the Commission's termination. Both reports will be publicly available and submitted to numerous government officials. Supporting the Commission are three key bodies: the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee , the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee , and the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee . The Survivors Subcommittee, comprising survivors, descendants, and educators, advises on convenings and reports. The Native American Advisory Committee, with Tribal and Native Hawaiian representation, assists with culturally appropriate convenings and documentation. The Federal and Religious Advisory Committee, composed of various Federal agency and religious institution representatives, ensures coordination and timely submission of information. General provisions clarify that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items related to Indian Boarding Schools. Federal agencies are permitted to allow reburial of repatriated cultural items on Federal land and may enter into co-stewardship agreements for cemeteries. Importantly, the Act explicitly states that it does not create a private right of action for administrative or judicial relief.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2907
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1723
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 31, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-54.
Jul 31, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 139.
Feb 3, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7325
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2907
    Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1723
    Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 31, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-54.


  • July 31, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 139.


  • February 3, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7325
    Introduced in House

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-7325: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
Adoption and foster careAdvisory bodiesAlaska Natives and HawaiiansChild care and developmentChild safety and welfareElementary and secondary educationFamily relationshipsFederal-Indian relationsHawaiiHistorical and cultural resourcesHuman rightsIndian social and development programsLanguage artsMinority educationPublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsU.S. history

Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-761| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
This legislation establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States , along with necessary advisory committees and subcommittees. Its primary purposes are to formally investigate, document, and report on the histories and systematic long-term effects of Indian Boarding Schools and their associated policies on Native American peoples. The bill also aims to develop Federal recommendations based on the Commission's findings and promote healing for survivors, their descendants, and affected communities. The Commission, established in the legislative branch, will consist of five members appointed by Congressional leaders, serving a six-year term. It is tasked with a comprehensive interdisciplinary investigation into the social, cultural, economic, emotional, and physical impacts of these policies. This includes reviewing existing research, collaborating with Federal and religious entities, and assessing effects on Native cultures, traditions, and languages. A key duty involves holding safe, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate public or private meetings to receive testimony, ensuring adequate trauma-informed care services are available for participants. The Commission will also coordinate efforts to locate, identify, and document marked and unmarked burial sites associated with Indian Boarding Schools, sharing this information with lineal descendants and Tribes. It is funded with $90 million from existing appropriations. The Commission is mandated to make recommendations to Congress, addressing how the Federal Government can acknowledge its role, modify existing statutes and practices, and promote public awareness and education. These recommendations will be included in an initial report due four years after establishment and a final report before the Commission's termination. Both reports will be publicly available and submitted to numerous government officials. Supporting the Commission are three key bodies: the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee , the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee , and the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee . The Survivors Subcommittee, comprising survivors, descendants, and educators, advises on convenings and reports. The Native American Advisory Committee, with Tribal and Native Hawaiian representation, assists with culturally appropriate convenings and documentation. The Federal and Religious Advisory Committee, composed of various Federal agency and religious institution representatives, ensures coordination and timely submission of information. General provisions clarify that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items related to Indian Boarding Schools. Federal agencies are permitted to allow reburial of repatriated cultural items on Federal land and may enter into co-stewardship agreements for cemeteries. Importantly, the Act explicitly states that it does not create a private right of action for administrative or judicial relief.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2907
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1723
Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Feb 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mar 5, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jul 31, 2025
Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-54.
Jul 31, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 139.
Feb 3, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-7325
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2907
    Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1723
    Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024


  • February 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.


  • March 5, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • July 31, 2025
    Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-54.


  • July 31, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 139.


  • February 3, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-7325
    Introduced in House
Lisa Murkowski

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Senator

Alaska

Cosponsors (26)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Angela D. Alsobrooks (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Ruben Gallego (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Indian Affairs Committee

Native Americans

Related Bills

  • HR 119-7325: Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Adoption and foster careAdvisory bodiesAlaska Natives and HawaiiansChild care and developmentChild safety and welfareElementary and secondary educationFamily relationshipsFederal-Indian relationsHawaiiHistorical and cultural resourcesHuman rightsIndian social and development programsLanguage artsMinority educationPublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsReligionSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsU.S. history