{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021","description":"

Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

This act prohibits the exportation of Native American cultural items and archaeological resources that were illegally obtained; provides for the return of such items, including voluntary returns; and establishes and increases related criminal penalties.

Specifically, the act makes it a federal crime to export, attempt to export, or otherwise transport from the United States Native American cultural items and archaeological resources without obtaining an export certification. U.S. Customs and Border Protection must detain any item requiring an export certification that does not have one.

The act requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of State to each designate a liaison to facilitate and hold trainings and workshops on the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items.

Additionally, Interior must

refer individuals and organizations to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of human remains and cultural items;
convene an interagency working group; and
convene a Native working group consisting of representatives of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to provide advice on issues concerning the return of, and illegal trade in, human remains and cultural items.

The act also increases the maximum criminal penalties for violating the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. In particular, the act increases from 5 years to 10 years the maximum prison term for an individual convicted of a second or subsequent violation of selling, purchasing, using for profit, or transporting for sale or profit human remains or cultural items that were illegally obtained.

","legislationIdentifier":"HR 2930","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"InForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","legislationPassedBy":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"United States Congress"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Teresa Leger Fernandez","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/teresa-legerfernandez-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Native Americans"},"keywords":"Administrative remedies, Advisory bodies, Alaska Natives and Hawaiians, Archaeology and anthropology, Cemeteries and funerals, Charitable contributions, Civil actions and liability, Crimes against property, Criminal procedure and sentencing, Customs enforcement, Department of the Interior, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Evidence and witnesses, Executive agency funding and structure, Federal-Indian relations, Government information and archives, Historical and cultural resources, Income tax deductions, International organizations and cooperation, Licensing and registrations, Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents, Right of privacy, Smuggling and trafficking, Tax administration and collection, taxpayers, Trade restrictions, User charges and fees","dateModified":"2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-117-HR-2930"}

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Foreign Affairs Committee, Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee, Natural Resources Committee