119-s761

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 761 Reported in Senate

    (RS) ]

<DOC>

 Calendar No. 139
119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 761

 [Report No. 119-54]

To establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 February 26, 2025

 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Ms. Warren, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Hickenlooper, 
 Ms. Smith, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Bennet, 
 Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Heinrich, Ms. 
Cantwell, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Booker, Mr. Lujan, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Markey, 
Mr. Merkley, Ms. Baldwin, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
 Indian Affairs

 July 31, 2025

 Reported by Ms. Murkowski, without amendment

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States, 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 ``Truth and Healing 
Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2025''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Purposes.

Sec. 3. Definitions.
 TITLE I--COMMISSION AND SUBCOMMITTEE

 Subtitle A--Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States

Sec. 101. Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States.
 Subtitle B--Duties of the Commission

Sec. 111. Duties of the Commission.
 Subtitle C--Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee

Sec. 121. Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee.
 TITLE II--ADVISORY COMMITTEES

 Subtitle A--Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee

Sec. 201. Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.
 Subtitle B--Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee

Sec. 211. Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.
 TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Clarification.

Sec. 302. Burial management.

Sec. 303. Co-stewardship agreements.

Sec. 304. No right of action.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

 The purposes of this Act are--

    (1) to establish a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian 
 Boarding School Policies in the United States, including other 
 necessary advisory committees and subcommittees;

    (2) to formally investigate, document, and report on the 
 histories of Indian Boarding Schools, Indian Boarding School 
 Polices, and the systematic and long-term effects of those 
 schools and policies on Native American peoples;

    (3) to develop recommendations for Federal efforts based on 
 the findings of the Commission; and

    (4) to promote healing for survivors of Indian Boarding 
 Schools, the descendants of those survivors, and the 
 communities of those survivors.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Truth 
 and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in 
 the United States established by 

section 101

    (a) .

    (2) Federal and religious truth and healing advisory 
 committee.--The term ``Federal and Religious Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee'' means the Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee established by 

section 211

    (a) .

    (3) Indian.--The term ``Indian'' has the meaning given the 
 term in 

section 6151 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7491).

    (4) Indian boarding school.--The term ``Indian Boarding 
 School'' means--
        (A) a site of an institution that--
            (i) provided on-site housing or overnight 
 lodging;
            (ii) was described in Federal records as 
 providing formal academic or vocational 
 training and instruction to Native Americans;
            (iii) received Federal funds or other 
 Federal support; and
            (iv) was operational before 1969;
        (B) a site of an institution identified by the 
 Department of the Interior in appendices A and B of the 
 report entitled ``Federal Indian Boarding School 
 Initiative Investigative Report'' and dated May 2022 
 (or a successor report); or
            (C) any other institution that implemented Indian 
 Boarding School Policies, including an Indian day 
 school.

    (5) Indian boarding school policies.--The term ``Indian 
 Boarding School Policies'' means Federal laws, policies, and 
 practices purported to ``assimilate'' and ``civilize'' Native 
 Americans that included psychological, physical, sexual, and 
 mental abuse, forced removal from home or community, and 
 identity-altering practices intended to terminate Native 
 languages, cultures, religions, social organizations, or 
 connections to traditional land.

    (6) 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).

    (7) Native american.--The term ``Native American'' means an 
 individual who is--
        (A) an Indian; or
        (B) a Native Hawaiian.

    (8) Native american truth and healing advisory committee.--
 The term ``Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee'' means the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee established by the Commission under 

section 201

    (a) .

    (9) Native hawaiian.--The term ``Native Hawaiian'' has the 
 meaning given the term in 

section 6207 of the Elementary and 
 Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517).

    (10) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
 Hawaiian organization'' means a private nonprofit organization 
 that--
        (A) serves and represents the interests of Native 
 Hawaiians;
        (B) has as its primary and stated purpose the 
 provision of services to Native Hawaiians;
            (C) has Native Hawaiians serving in substantive and 
 policymaking positions; and
            (D) has expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs.

    (11) Office of hawaiian affairs.--The term ``Office of 
 Hawaiian Affairs'' has the meaning given the term in 

section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 7517).

    (12) Survivors truth and healing subcommittee.--The term 
 ``Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee'' means the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee established by 

section 121

    (a) .

    (13) Trauma-informed care.--The term ``trauma-informed 
 care'' means holistic psychological and health care practices 
 that include promoting culturally responsive practices, patient 
 psychological, physical, and emotional safety, and environments 
 of healing, trust, peer support, and recovery.

    (14) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
 has the meaning given the term in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-
 Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

 TITLE I--COMMISSION AND SUBCOMMITTEE

 Subtitle A--Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States

SEC. 101. TRUTH AND HEALING COMMISSION ON INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL 
 POLICIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the legislative branch 
a commission, to be known as the ``Truth and Healing Commission on 
Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States''.

    (b) Membership.--

    (1) Appointment.--Nominees submitted under paragraph

    (2)
        (A) shall be appointed as members to the Commission as follows:
        (A) 1 member shall be appointed by the majority 
 leader of the Senate, in consultation with the 
 Chairperson of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
 Senate.
        (B) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority 
 leader of the Senate, in consultation with the Vice 
 Chairperson of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
 Senate.
            (C) 1 member shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
 the House of Representatives, in consultation with the 
 Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
 House of Representatives.
            (D) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority 
 leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation 
 with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural 
 Resources of the House of Representatives.
        (E) 1 member shall be jointly appointed by the 
 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Committee on 
 Indian Affairs of the Senate.

    (2) Nominations.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
 date of the enactment of this Act, Indian Tribes, 
 Tribal organizations, Native Americans, the Office of 
 Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian organizations may 
 submit to the Secretary of the Interior nominations for 
 individuals to be appointed as members of the 
 Commission.
        (B) Submission to congress.--Not later than 7 days 
 after the submission deadline for nominations described 
 in subparagraph
        (A) , the Secretary of the Interior 
 shall submit to Congress a list of the individuals 
 nominated under that subparagraph.
            (C) Qualifications.--
            (i) In general.--Nominees to serve on the 
 Commission shall have significant experience in 
 matters relating to--
            (I) overseeing or leading complex 
 research initiatives with and for 
 Indian Tribes and Native Americans;
            (II) indigenous human rights law 
 and policy;
            (III) Tribal court judicial and 
 restorative justice systems and Federal 
 agencies, such as participation as a 
 Tribal judge, researcher, or former 
 presidentially appointed commissioner;
            (IV) providing and coordinating 
 trauma-informed care and other health-
 related services to Indian Tribes and 
 Native Americans; or
            (V) traditional and cultural 
 resources and practices in Native 
 communities.
            (ii) Additional qualifications.--In 
 addition to the qualifications described in 
 clause
            (i) , each member of the Commission shall 
 be an individual of recognized integrity and 
 empathy, with a demonstrated commitment to the 
 values of truth, reconciliation, healing, and 
 expertise in truth and healing endeavors that 
 are traditionally and culturally appropriate so 
 as to provide balanced points of view and 
 expertise with respect to the duties of the 
 Commission.

    (3) Date.--Members of the Commission under paragraph

    (1) shall be appointed not later than 180 days after the date of 
 the enactment of this Act.

    (4) Period of appointment; vacancies; removal.--
        (A) Period of appointment.--A member of the 
 Commission shall be appointed for a term that is the 
 shorter of--
            (i) 6 years; and
            (ii) the life of the Commission.
        (B) Vacancies.--After all initial members of the 
 Commission are appointed and the initial business 
 meeting of the Commission has been convened under 
 subsection
            (c) (1) , a single vacancy in the Commission--
            (i) shall not affect the powers of the 
 Commission; and
            (ii) shall be filled within 90 days in the 
 same manner as was the original appointment.
            (C) Removal.--A quorum of members of the Commission 
 may remove a member of the Commission only for neglect 
 of duty or malfeasance.

    (5) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 6 years 
 after the date of the enactment of this Act.

    (6) Limitation.--No member of the Commission may otherwise 
 be an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
            (c) Business Meetings.--

    (1) Initial business meeting.--90 days after the date on 
 which all of the members of the Commission are appointed under 
 subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (A) , the Commission shall hold the initial 
 business meeting of the Commission--
        (A) to appoint a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, 
 and such other positions as determined necessary by the 
 Commission;
        (B) to establish rules for meetings of the 
 Commission; and
            (C) to appoint members of--
            (i) the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee under 

section 121

    (b)

    (1) ; and
            (ii) the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee under 

section 201

    (b)

    (1) .

    (2) Subsequent business meetings.--After the initial 
 business meeting of the Commission is held under paragraph

    (1) , 
 the Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.

    (3) Advisory and subcommittee committees designees.--Each 
 Commission business meeting shall include participation by 2 
 non-voting designees from each of the Survivors Truth and 
 Healing Subcommittee, the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee, and the Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee, as appointed in accordance with 
 

section 121
            (c) (1)
            (D) , 

section 201

    (e)

    (1)
            (C) , and 

section 211
            (c) (1)
        (B) , as applicable.

    (4) Format of meetings.--A business meeting of the 
 Commission may be conducted in-person or virtually.

    (5) Quorum required.--A business meeting of the Commission 
 may be held only after a quorum, established in accordance with 
 subsection
            (d) , is present.
            (d) Quorum.--A simple majority of the members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum for a business meeting.

    (e) Rules.--The Commission may establish, by a majority vote, any 
rules for the conduct of Commission business, in accordance with this 
section and other applicable law.

    (f) Commission Personnel Matters.--

    (1) Compensation of commissioners.--A member of the 
 Commission shall be compensated at a daily equivalent of the 
 annual rate of basic pay prescribed for grade 5 of the General 
 Schedule under 

section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for 
 each day, not to exceed 10 days per month, for which a member 
 is engaged in the performance of their duties under this Act, 
 limited to convening meetings, including public or private 
 meetings to receive testimony in furtherance of the duties of 
 the Commission and the purposes of this Act.

    (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be 
 allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
 subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
 under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
 Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
 in the performance of services for the Commission.

    (3) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government 
 employee, with the approval of the head of the appropriate 
 Federal agency and at the request of the Commission, may be 
 detailed to the Commission without--
        (A) reimbursement to the agency of that employee; 
 and
        (B) interruption or loss of civil service status, 
 benefits, or privileges.

    (g) Powers of Commission.--

    (1) Convenings and information.--The Commission may, for 
 the purpose of carrying out this Act--
        (A) hold such convenings and sit and act at such 
 times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
 information, virtually or in-person, as the Commission 
 may determine necessary to accomplish the purposes of 
 this Act;
        (B) conduct or request such interdisciplinary 
 research, investigation, or analysis of such 
 information and documents, records, or other data as 
 the Commission may determine necessary to accomplish 
 the purposes of this Act, including--
            (i) securing, directly from a Federal 
 agency, such information as the Commission 
 considers necessary to accomplish the purposes 
 of this Act; and
            (ii) requesting the head of any relevant 
 Tribal or State agency to provide to the 
 Commission such information as the Commission 
 considers necessary to accomplish the purposes 
 of this Act;
            (C) request such records, papers, correspondence, 
 memoranda, documents, books, videos, oral histories, 
 recordings, or any other paper or electronic material, 
 as the Commission may determine necessary to accomplish 
 the purposes of this Act;
            (D) oversee, direct, and collaborate with the 
 Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee, the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee, and the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee to accomplish the purposes of this Act; 
 and
        (E) coordinate with Federal and non-Federal 
 entities to preserve and archive, as appropriate, any 
 gifts, documents, or other property received while 
 carrying out the purposes of this Act.

    (2) Contracting; volunteer services.--
        (A) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such 
 extent and in such amounts as are provided in 
 appropriations Acts, and in accordance with applicable 
 law, enter into contracts and other agreements with 
 public agencies, private organizations, and individuals 
 to enable the Commission to carry out the duties of the 
 Commission under this Act.
        (B) Volunteer and uncompensated services.--
 Notwithstanding 

section 1342 of title 31, United States 
 Code, the Commission may accept and use such voluntary 
 and uncompensated services as the Commission determines 
 to be necessary.
            (C) General services administration.--The 
 Administrator of General Services shall provide, on 
 request of the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, 
 administrative support and other services for the 
 performance of the functions of the Commission under 
 this Act.

    (3) Postal services.--The Commission may use the United 
 States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
 as other agencies of the Federal Government.

    (4) Gifts, fundraising, and disbursement.--
        (A) Gifts and donations.--
            (i) In general.--The Commission may accept, 
 use, and dispose of any gift, donation, 
 service, property, or other record or recording 
 to accomplish the purposes of this Act.
            (ii) Return of gifts and donations.--On 
 termination of the Commission under subsection

    (b)

    (5) , any gifts, unspent donations, property, 
 or other record or recording accepted by the 
 Commission under clause
            (i) shall be--
            (I) returned to the donor that made 
 the donation under that clause; or
            (II) archived under subparagraph
        (E) .
        (B) Fundraising.--The Commission may, on the 
 affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the members of the 
 Commission, solicit funds to accomplish the purposes of 
 this Act.
            (C) Disbursement.--The Commission may, on the 
 affirmative vote of \3/5\ of the members of the 
 Commission, approve a spending plan of funds to 
 accomplish the purposes of this Act.
            (D) Tax documents.--The Commission (or a designee) 
 shall, on request of a donor under subparagraph
        (A) or
        (B) , provide tax documentation to that donor for any 
 tax-deductible gift made by that donor under those 
 subparagraphs.
        (E) Archiving.--The Commission shall coordinate 
 with the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian 
 Institution to archive and preserve relevant gifts or 
 donations received under subparagraph
        (A) or
        (B) .

    (h) Convening.--

    (1) Convening protocol.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the 
 initial business meeting of the Native American Truth 
 and Healing Advisory Committee, the Commission, 3 
 designees from the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee, and 3 designees from the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall hold a meeting to 
 recommend rules, protocols, and formats for convenings 
 carried out under this subsection.
        (B) Rules and protocols.--Not later than 45 days 
 after the initial meeting described in subparagraph
        (A) , the Commission shall finalize rules, protocols, 
 and formats for convenings carried out under this 
 subsection by a \3/5\ majority in attendance at a 
 meeting of the Commission.
            (C) Additional meetings.--The Commission and 
 designees described in subparagraph
        (A) may hold 
 additional meetings, as necessary, to amend, by a \3/5\ 
 majority in attendance at a meeting of the Commission, 
 the rules, protocols, and formats for convenings 
 established under that subparagraph.

    (2) Announcement of convenings.--Not later than 30 days 
 before the date of a convening under this subsection, the 
 Commission shall announce the location and details of the 
 convening.

    (3) Minimum number of convenings.--The Commission shall 
 hold--
        (A) not fewer than 1 convening in each of the 12 
 regions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and in Hawai`i 
 during the life of the Commission; and
        (B) beginning 1 year after the date of the 
 enactment of this Act, not fewer than 1 convening in 
 each quarter to receive testimony each calendar year 
 until the date on which the Commission submits the 
 final report of the Commission under 

section 111

    (e)

    (3) .

    (4) Opportunity to provide testimony.--No person or entity 
 shall be denied the opportunity to provide relevant testimony 
 or information at a convening held under this subsection, 
 except at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Commission 
 (or a designee).
            (i) Federal Advisory Committee Act Applicability.--Chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Advisory 
Committee Act''), shall not apply to the Commission.

    (j) Congressional Accountability Act Applicability.--For purposes 
of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et 
seq.)--

    (1) any individual who is an employee of the Commission 
 shall be considered a covered employee under the Act; and

    (2) the Commission shall be considered an employing office 
 under the Act; and

    (3) a member of the Commission shall be considered a 
 covered employee under the Act.

    (k) Consultation or Engagement With Native Americans, Indian 
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and 
Native Hawaiian Organizations.--In carrying out the duties of the 
Commission under 

section 111, the Commission shall meaningfully consult 
or engage, as appropriate, in a timely manner with Native Americans, 
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 
and Native Hawaiian organizations.
            (l) Funding.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant 
to 

section 105 of the Indian Land Consolidation Act Amendments of 2000 
(25 U.S.C. 2201 note; Public Law 106-462) and 

section 403 of the Indian 
Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1523), $90,000,000 shall be used to 
carry out this Act.

 Subtitle B--Duties of the Commission

SEC. 111. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Investigation.--

    (1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a 
 comprehensive interdisciplinary investigation of Indian 
 Boarding School Policies, including the social, cultural, 
 economic, emotional, and physical effects of Indian Boarding 
 School Policies in the United States on Native American 
 communities, Indian Tribes, survivors of Indian Boarding 
 Schools, families of those survivors, and their descendants.

    (2) Matters to be investigated.--The matters to be 
 investigated by the Commission under paragraph

    (1) shall 
 include, at a minimum--
        (A) conducting a comprehensive review of existing 
 research and historical records of Indian Boarding 
 School Policies and any documentation, scholarship, or 
 other resources relevant to the purposes of this Act 
 from--
            (i) any archive or any other document 
 storage location, notwithstanding the location 
 of that archive or document storage location; 
 and
            (ii) any research conducted by private 
 individuals, private entities, and non-Federal 
 Government entities, whether domestic or 
 foreign, including religious institutions;
        (B) collaborating with the Federal and Religious 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee to obtain all 
 relevant information from--
            (i) the Department of the Interior, the 
 Department of Health and Human Services, other 
 relevant Federal agencies, and institutions or 
 organizations, including religious institutions 
 or organizations, that operated an Indian 
 Boarding School, carried out Indian Boarding 
 School Policies, or have information that the 
 Commission determines to be relevant to the 
 investigation of the Commission; and
            (ii) Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, 
 Native Americans, the Office of Hawaiian 
 Affairs, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and
            (C) conducting a comprehensive assessment of the 
 impacts of Indian Boarding School Policies on Native 
 American students and alumni, including the impact on 
 cultures, traditions, and languages.

    (3) Research related to objects, artifacts, and real 
 property.--If the Commission conducts a comprehensive review of 
 research described in paragraph

    (2)
        (A)
            (ii) that focuses on 
 objects, artifacts, or real or personal property that are in 
 the possession or control of private individuals, private 
 entities, or non-Federal Government entities within the United 
 States, the Commission may enter into a contract or agreement 
 to acquire, hold, curate, or maintain those objects, artifacts, 
 or real or personal property until the objects, artifacts, or 
 real or personal property can be properly repatriated or 
 returned, consistent with applicable Federal law, subject to 
 the condition that no Federal funds may be used to purchase 
 those objects, artifacts, or real or personal property.

    (b) Meetings and Convenings.--

    (1) In general.--The Commission shall hold, with the advice 
 of the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee and 
 the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee, and in 
 coordination with, as relevant, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
 organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Native 
 Hawaiian organizations, as part of its investigation under 
 subsection

    (a) , safe, trauma-informed, and culturally 
 appropriate public or private meetings or convenings to receive 
 testimony relating to that investigation.

    (2) Requirements.--The Commission shall ensure that 
 meetings and convenings held under paragraph

    (1) provide access 
 to adequate trauma-informed care services for participants, 
 attendees, and communities during and following the meetings 
 and convenings where the Commission receives testimony, 
 including ensuring that private space is available for 
 survivors and descendants of survivors, family members, and 
 other community members to receive trauma-informed care 
 services.
            (c) Recommendations.--

    (1) In general.--The Commission shall make recommendations 
 to Congress relating to the investigation carried out under 
 subsection

    (a) , which shall be included in the final report 
 required under subsection

    (e)

    (3) .

    (2) Inclusions.--Recommendations made under paragraph

    (1) shall include, at a minimum, recommendations relating to--
        (A) in light of Tribal and Native Hawaiian law, 
 Tribal customary law, tradition, custom, and practice, 
 how the Federal Government can meaningfully acknowledge 
 the role of the Federal Government in supporting Indian 
 Boarding School Policies in all issue areas that the 
 Commission determines relevant, including appropriate 
 forms of memorialization, preservation of records, 
 objects, artifacts, and burials;
        (B) how modification of existing statutes, 
 procedures, regulations, policies, budgets, and 
 practices will, in the determination of the Commission, 
 address the findings of the Commission and ongoing 
 effects of Indian Boarding School Policies;
            (C) how the Federal Government can promote public 
 awareness of, and education about, Indian Boarding 
 School Policies and the impacts of those policies, 
 including through coordinating with the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee, the Smithsonian 
 Institution, and other relevant institutions and 
 organizations; and
            (D) the views of religious institutions.
            (d) Duties Related to Burials.--The Commission shall, with respect 
to burial sites associated with Indian Boarding Schools--

    (1) coordinate, as appropriate, with the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, the Federal and Religious 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, the Survivors Truth and 
 Healing Subcommittee, lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, the 
 Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Federal agencies, institutions, and 
 organizations to locate and identify, in a culturally 
 appropriate manner, marked and unmarked burial sites, including 
 cemeteries, unmarked graves, and mass burial sites, where 
 students of Indian Boarding Schools were originally or later 
 interred;

    (2) locate, document, analyze, and coordinate the 
 preservation or continued preservation of records and 
 information relating to the interment of students, including 
 any records held by Federal, State, international, or local 
 entities or religious institutions or organizations; and

    (3) share, to the extent practicable, with affected lineal 
 descendants, Indian Tribes, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs 
 burial locations and the identities of children who attended 
 Indian Boarding Schools.

    (e) Reports.--

    (1) Annual reports to congress.--Not less frequently than 
 annually until the year before the year in which the Commission 
 terminates, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on 
 Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
 Resources of the House of Representatives a report that 
 describes the activities of the Commission during the previous 
 year, including an accounting of funds and gifts received and 
 expenditures made, the progress made, and any barriers 
 encountered in carrying out this Act.

    (2) Commission initial report.--Not later than 4 years 
 after the date on which a majority of the members of the 
 Commission are appointed under 

section 101

    (b)

    (1) , the 
 Commission shall submit to the individuals described in 
 paragraph

    (4) , and make publicly available, an initial report 
 containing--
        (A) a detailed review of existing research, 
 including documentation, scholarship, or other 
 resources shared with the Commission that further the 
 purposes of this Act;
        (B) a detailed statement of the initial findings 
 and conclusions of the Commission; and
            (C) a detailed statement of the initial 
 recommendations of the Commission.

    (3) Commission final report.--Before the termination of the 
 Commission, the Commission shall submit to the individuals 
 described in paragraph

    (4) , and make publicly available, a 
 final report containing the findings, conclusions, and 
 recommendations of the Commission that have been agreed on by 
 the vote of a majority of the members of the Commission and \3/
 5\ of the members of each of the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee and the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee.

    (4) Report recipients.--The individuals referred to in 
 paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) are--
        (A) the President;
        (B) the Secretary of the Interior;
            (C) the Attorney General;
            (D) the Comptroller General of the United States;
        (E) the Secretary of Education;
        (F) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
        (G) the Secretary of Defense;
        (H) the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the 
 Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
            (I) the Chairperson and ranking minority member of 
 the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
 Representatives;
        (J) the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native 
 American Caucus;
        (K) the Executive Director of the White House 
 Council on Native American Affairs;
            (L) the Director of the Office of Management and 
 Budget;
            (M) the Archivist of the United States;
        (N) the Librarian of Congress; and
        (O) the Director of the National Museum of the 
 American Indian.

    (5) Additional commission responsibilities relating to the 
 publication of the initial and final reports.--
        (A) Events relating to initial report.--
            (i) In general.--The Commission shall hold 
 not fewer than 2 events in each region of the 
 Bureau of Indian Affairs and in Hawai`i 
 following publication of the initial report 
 under paragraph

    (2) to receive comments on the 
 initial report.
            (ii) Timing.--The schedule of events 
 referred to in clause
            (i) shall be announced 
 not later than 90 days after the date on which 
 the initial report under paragraph

    (2) is 
 published.
        (B) Publication of final report.--Not later than 
 180 days after the date on which the Commission submits 
 the final report under paragraph

    (3) , the Commission, 
 the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of 
 Education, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary 
 of Health and Human Services shall each make the final 
 report publicly available on the website of the 
 applicable agency.

    (6) Secretarial response to final report.--Not later than 
 120 days after the date on which the Secretary of the Interior, 
 the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
 Secretary of Health and Human Services receive the final report 
 under paragraph

    (3) , the Secretaries shall each make publicly 
 available a written response to recommendations for future 
 action by those agencies, if any, contained in the final 
 report, and submit the written response to--
        (A) the President;
        (B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;
            (C) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
 of Representatives; and
            (D) the Comptroller General of the United States.

 Subtitle C--Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee

SEC. 121. SURVIVORS TRUTH AND HEALING SUBCOMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a subcommittee of the 
Commission, to be known as the ``Survivors Truth and Healing 
Subcommittee''.

    (b) Membership, Nomination, and Appointment to the Survivors Truth 
and Healing Subcommittee.--

    (1) Membership.--The Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee shall include 15 members, to be appointed by the 
 Commission, in consultation with the National Native American 
 Boarding School Healing Coalition, from among the nominees 
 submitted under paragraph

    (2)
        (A) , of whom--
        (A) 12 shall be representatives from each of the 12 
 regions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 1 shall be 
 a representative from Hawai`i;
        (B) 9 shall be individuals who attended an Indian 
 Boarding School of whom--
            (i) not fewer than 2 shall be individuals 
 who graduated during the 5-year period 
 preceding the date of the enactment of this Act 
 from--
            (I) an Indian Boarding School in 
 operation as of that date of the 
 enactment; or
            (II) a Bureau of Indian Education-
 funded school; and
            (ii) all shall represent diverse regions of 
 the United States;
            (C) 5 shall be descendants of individuals who 
 attended Indian Boarding Schools, who shall represent 
 diverse regions of the United States; and
            (D) 1 shall be an educator who, as of the date of 
 the appointment--
            (i) is employed at an Indian Boarding 
 School; or
            (ii) was employed at an Indian Boarding 
 School during the 5-year period preceding the 
 date of the enactment of this Act.

    (2) Nominations.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
 date of the enactment of this Act, Indian Tribes, 
 Tribal organizations, Native Americans, the Office of 
 Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian organizations may 
 submit to the Secretary of the Interior nominations for 
 individuals to be appointed as members of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee.
        (B) Submission.--The Secretary of the Interior 
 shall provide the Commission with nominations submitted 
 under subparagraph
        (A) at the initial business meeting 
 of the Commission under 

section 101
            (c) (1) and the 
 Commission shall select the members of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee from among those 
 nominees.

    (3) Date.--
        (A) In general.--The Commission shall appoint all 
 members of the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee 
 during the initial business meeting of the Commission 
 under 

section 101
            (c) (1) .
        (B) Failure to appoint.--If the Commission fails to 
 appoint all members of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee in accordance with subparagraph
        (A) , the 
 Chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, 
 with the concurrence of the Vice Chair of the Committee 
 on Indian Affairs of the Senate, shall appoint 
 individuals, in accordance with the requirements of 
 paragraph

    (1) , to all vacant positions of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee not later than 30 days 
 after the date of the initial business meeting of the 
 Commission under 

section 101
            (c) (1) .

    (4) Period of appointment; vacancies; removal.--
        (A) Period of appointment.--A member of the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall be 
 appointed for an automatically renewable term of 2 
 years.
        (B) Vacancies.--
            (i) In general.--A member of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee may vacate the 
 position at any time and for any reason.
            (ii) Effect; filling of vacancy.--A vacancy 
 in the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee--
            (I) shall not affect the powers of 
 the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee if a simple majority of 
 the positions of the Survivors Truth 
 and Healing Subcommittee are filled; 
 and
            (II) shall be filled within 90 days 
 in the same manner as was the original 
 appointment.
            (C) Removal.--A quorum of members of the Commission 
 may remove a member of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee only for neglect of duty or malfeasance.

    (5) Termination.--The Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee shall terminate 90 days after the date on which 
 the Commission submits the final report required under 

section 111

    (e)

    (3) .

    (6) Limitation.--No member of the Survivors Truth and 
 Healing Subcommittee may otherwise be an officer or employee of 
 the Federal Government.
            (c) Business Meetings.--

    (1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
 on which all members of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee are appointed under subsection

    (b)

    (1) , the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall hold an initial 
 business meeting--
        (A) to appoint--
            (i) a Chairperson, who shall also serve as 
 the Vice Chairperson of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee;
            (ii) a Vice Chairperson, who shall also 
 serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee; 
 and
            (iii) other positions, as determined 
 necessary by the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee;
        (B) to establish, with the advice of the 
 Commission, rules for the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee;
            (C) to appoint 3 designees to fulfill the 
 responsibilities described in 

section 101

    (h)

    (1)
        (A) ; and
            (D) to appoint, with the advice of the Commission, 
 2 members of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee to serve as non-voting designees on the 
 Commission in accordance with 

section 101
            (c) (3) .

    (2) Subsequent business meetings.--After the initial 
 business meeting of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee is held under paragraph

    (1) , the Survivors Truth 
 and Healing Subcommittee shall meet at the call of the 
 Chairperson.

    (3) Format of business meetings.--A business meeting of the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee may be conducted in-
 person or virtually.

    (4) Quorum required.--A business meeting of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee may be held only after a quorum, 
 established in accordance with subsection
            (d) , is present.
            (d) Quorum.--A simple majority of the members of the Survivors 
Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for a business 
meeting.

    (e) Rules.--The Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee, with the 
advice of the Commission, may establish, by a majority vote, any rules 
for the conduct of business, in accordance with this section and other 
applicable law.

    (f) Duties.--The Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall--

    (1) assist the Commission, the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee, and the Federal and Religious Truth 
 and Healing Advisory Committee in coordinating public and 
 private convenings, including providing advice to the 
 Commission on developing criteria and protocols for convenings;

    (2) provide advice and evaluate Committee recommendations 
 relating to the commemoration and public education relating to 
 Indian Boarding Schools and Indian Boarding School Policies;

    (3) assist the Commission--
        (A) in the production of the initial and final 
 reports required under paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , 
 respectively, of 

section 111

    (e) ; and
        (B) by providing such other advice, or fulfilling 
 such other requests, as may be required by the 
 Commission; and

    (4) coordinate with the Commission, the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, and the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.

    (g) Consultation or Engagement With Native Americans, Indian 
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and 
Native Hawaiian Organizations.--In carrying out the duties of the 
Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee under subsection

    (f) , the 
Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall meaningfully consult or 
engage, as appropriate, in a timely manner with Native Americans, 
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 
and Native Hawaiian organizations.

    (h) Federal Advisory Committee Act Applicability.--Chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Advisory 
Committee Act''), shall not apply to the Survivors Truth and Healing 
Subcommittee.
            (i) Congressional Accountability Act Applicability.--For purposes 
of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et 
seq.), any individual who is a member of the Survivors Truth and 
Healing Subcommittee shall be considered a covered employee under the 
Act.

    (j) Personnel Matters.--

    (1) Compensation of members.--A member of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee shall be compensated at a daily 
 equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for grade 
 7, step 1, of the General Schedule under 

section 5332 of title 
 5, United States Code, for each day, not to exceed 10 days per 
 month, for which a member of the Survivors Truth and Healing 
 Subcommittee is engaged in the performance of their duties 
 under this Act limited to convening meetings, including public 
 and private meetings to receive testimony in furtherance of the 
 duties of the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee and the 
 purposes of this Act.

    (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Survivors Truth and 
 Healing Subcommittee shall be allowed travel expenses, 
 including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized 
 for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 
 title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or 
 regular places of business in the performance of services for 
 the Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee.

 TITLE II--ADVISORY COMMITTEES

 Subtitle A--Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee

SEC. 201. NATIVE AMERICAN TRUTH AND HEALING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Commission shall establish an advisory 
committee, to be known as the ``Native American Truth and Healing 
Advisory Committee''.

    (b) Membership, Nomination, and Appointment to the Native American 
Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.--

    (1) Membership.--
        (A) In general.--The Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee shall include 19 members, to 
 be appointed by the Commission from among the nominees 
 submitted under paragraph

    (2)
        (A) , of whom--
            (i) 1 shall be the Vice Chairperson of the 
 Commission, who shall serve as the Chairperson 
 of the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee;
            (ii) 1 shall be the Vice Chairperson of the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee, who 
 shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the 
 Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee;
            (iii) 1 shall be the Secretary of the 
 Interior, or a designee, who shall serve as the 
 Secretary of the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee;
            (iv) 12 shall be representatives from each 
 of the 12 regions of the Bureau of Indian 
 Affairs and 1 shall be a representative from 
 Hawai`i;
            (v) 1 shall represent the National Native 
 American Boarding School Healing Coalition;
            (vi) 1 shall represent the National 
 Association of Tribal Historic Preservation 
 Officers; and
            (vii) 1 shall represent the National Indian 
 Education Association.
        (B) Additional requirements.--Not fewer than 2 
 members of the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee shall have experience with health 
 care or mental health, traditional healing or cultural 
 practices, counseling, or working with survivors, or 
 descendants of survivors, of Indian Boarding Schools to 
 ensure that the Commission considers culturally 
 responsive support for survivors, families, and 
 communities.

    (2) Nominations.--
        (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
 date of the enactment of this Act, Indian Tribes, 
 Tribal organizations, Native Americans, the Office of 
 Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian organizations may 
 submit to the Secretary of the Interior nominations for 
 individuals to be appointed as members of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.
        (B) Submission.--The Secretary of the Interior 
 shall provide the Commission with nominations submitted 
 under subparagraph
        (A) at the initial business meeting 
 of the Commission under 

section 101
            (c) (1) and the 
 Commission shall select the members of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee from 
 among those nominees.

    (3) Date.--
        (A) In general.--The Commission shall appoint all 
 members of the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee during the initial business meeting 
 of the Commission under 

section 101
            (c) (1) .
        (B) Failure to appoint.--If the Commission fails to 
 appoint all members of the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee in accordance with 
 subparagraph
        (A) , the Chair of the Committee on Indian 
 Affairs of the Senate, with the concurrence of the Vice 
 Chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, 
 shall appoint, in accordance with the requirements of 
 paragraph

    (1) , individuals to all vacant positions of 
 the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee not later than 30 days after the date of the 
 initial business meeting of the Commission under 
 

section 101
            (c) (1) .

    (4) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
        (A) Period of appointment.--A member of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall be 
 appointed for an automatically renewable term of 2 
 years.
        (B) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee--
            (i) shall not affect the powers of the 
 Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee if a simple majority of the positions 
 of the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee are filled; and
            (ii) shall be filled within 90 days in the 
 same manner as was the original appointment.

    (5) Termination.--The Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee shall terminate 90 days after the date on 
 which the Commission submits the final report required under 
 

section 111

    (e)

    (3) .

    (6) Limitation.--No member of the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee (other than the member described in 
 paragraph

    (1)
        (A)
            (iii) ) may otherwise be an officer or employee 
 of the Federal Government.
            (c) Quorum.--A simple majority of the members of the Native 
American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall constitute a 
quorum.
            (d) Removal.--A quorum of members of the Native American Truth and 
Healing Advisory Committee may remove another member only for neglect 
of duty or malfeasance.

    (e) Business Meetings.--

    (1) Initial business meeting.--Not later than 30 days after 
 the date on which all members of the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee are appointed under subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (A) , the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee shall hold an initial business meeting--
        (A) to establish rules for the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee;
        (B) to appoint 3 designees to fulfill the 
 responsibilities described in 

section 101

    (h)

    (1)
        (A) ; and
            (C) to appoint 2 members of the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee to serve as non-
 voting designees on the Commission in accordance with 
 

section 101
            (c) (3) .

    (2) Subsequent business meetings.--After the initial 
 business meeting of the Native American Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee is held under paragraph

    (1) , the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall meet at the 
 call of the Chairperson.

    (3) Format of business meetings.--A meeting of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee may be conducted 
 in-person or virtually.

    (4) Quorum required.--A business meeting of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee may be held only 
 after a quorum, established in accordance with subsection
            (c) , 
 is present.

    (f) Rules.--The Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
Committee may establish, with the advice of the Commission, by a 
majority vote, any rules for the conduct of business, in accordance 
with this section and other applicable law.

    (g) Duties.--The Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
Committee shall--

    (1) serve as an advisory body to the Commission;

    (2) assist the Commission in organizing and carrying out 
 culturally appropriate public and private convenings relating 
 to the duties of the Commission;

    (3) assist the Commission in determining what documentation 
 from Federal and religious organizations and institutions may 
 be necessary to fulfill the duties of the Commission;

    (4) assist the Commission in the production of the initial 
 report and final report required under paragraphs

    (2) and

    (3) , 
 respectively, of 

section 111

    (e) ;

    (5) coordinate with the Commission, the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, and the 
 Survivors Truth and Healing Subcommittee; and

    (6) provide advice to, or fulfill such other requests by, 
 the Commission as the Commission may require to carry out the 
 purposes described in 

section 2.

    (h) Consultation or Engagement With Native Americans, Indian 
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and 
Native Hawaiian Organizations.--In carrying out the duties of the 
Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee under subsection

    (g) , the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall 
meaningfully consult or engage, as appropriate, in a timely manner with 
Native Americans, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, the Office of 
Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
            (i) Federal Advisory Committee Act Applicability.--Chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal Advisory 
Committee Act''), shall not apply to the Native American Truth and 
Healing Advisory Committee.

    (j) Congressional Accountability Act Applicability.--For purposes 
of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et 
seq.), any individual who is a member of the Native American Truth and 
Healing Advisory Committee shall be considered a covered employee under 
the Act.

    (k) Personnel Matters.--

    (1) Compensation of members.--A member of the Native 
 American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall be 
 compensated at a daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic 
 pay prescribed for grade 7, step 1, of the General Schedule 
 under 

section 5332 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
 day, not to exceed 14 days per month, for which a member is 
 engaged in the performance of their duties under this Act, 
 limited to convening meetings, including public and private 
 meetings to receive testimony in furtherance of the duties of 
 the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory Committee and 
 the purposes of this Act.

    (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Native American Truth 
 and Healing Advisory Committee shall be allowed travel 
 expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
 authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of 
 chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
 their homes or regular places of business in the performance of 
 services for the Native American Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee.

 Subtitle B--Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee

SEC. 211. FEDERAL AND RELIGIOUS TRUTH AND HEALING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of 
the Interior an advisory committee, to be known as the ``Federal and 
Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee''.

    (b) Membership and Appointment to the Federal and Religious Truth 
and Healing Advisory Committee.--

    (1) Membership.--The Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee shall include 20 members, of whom--
        (A) 1 shall be the Chairperson of the Commission, 
 who shall serve as the Chairperson of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee;
        (B) 1 shall be the Chairperson of the Survivors 
 Truth and Healing Subcommittee, who shall serve as the 
 Vice Chairperson of the Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee;
            (C) 1 shall be the White House Domestic Policy 
 Advisor, who shall serve as the Secretary of the 
 Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory 
 Committee;
            (D) 1 shall be the Director of the Bureau of Trust 
 Funds Administration (or a designee);
        (E) 1 shall be the Archivist of the United States 
 (or a designee);
        (F) 1 shall be the Librarian of Congress (or a 
 designee);
        (G) 1 shall be the Director of the Department of 
 the Interior Library (or a designee);
        (H) 1 shall be the Director of the Indian Health 
 Service (or a designee);
            (I) 1 shall be the Assistant Secretary for Mental 
 Health and Substance Abuse of the Department of Health 
 and Human Services (or a designee);
        (J) 1 shall be the Commissioner of the 
 Administration for Native Americans of the Department 
 of Health and Human Services (or a designee);
        (K) 1 shall be the Director of the National 
 Institutes of Health (or a designee);
            (L) 1 shall be the Senior Program Director of the 
 Office of Native Hawaiian Relations of the Department 
 of the Interior (or a designee);
            (M) 1 shall be the Director of the Office of Indian 
 Education of the Department of Education (or a 
 designee);
        (N) 1 shall be the Director of the Rural, Insular, 
 and Native American Achievement Programs of the 
 Department of Education (or a designee);
        (O) 1 shall be the Chair of the Advisory Council on 
 Historic Preservation (or a designee);
        (P) 1 shall be the Assistant Secretary of Indian 
 Affairs (or a designee);
        (Q) 1 shall be the Director of the Bureau of Indian 
 Education (or a designee); and
        (R) 3 shall be representatives employed by, or 
 representatives of, religious institutions, to be 
 appointed by the White House Office of Faith-Based and 
 Neighborhood Partnerships in consultation with relevant 
 religious institutions.

    (2) Period of service; vacancies; removal.--
        (A) Period of service.--A member of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall 
 serve for an automatically renewable term of 2 years.
        (B) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee--
            (i) shall not affect the powers of the 
 Federal and Religious Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee if a simple majority of the 
 positions of the Federal and Religious Truth 
 and Healing Advisory Committee are filled; and
            (ii) shall be filled within 90 days in the 
 same manner as was the original appointment.
            (C) Removal.--A quorum of members of the Federal 
 and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee may 
 remove a member of the Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee only for neglect of duty or 
 malfeasance.

    (3) Termination.--The Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee shall terminate 90 days after the 
 date on which the Commission submits the final report required 
 under 

section 111

    (e)

    (3) .
            (c) Business Meetings.--

    (1) Initial business meeting.--Not later than 30 days after 
 the date of the initial business meeting of the Commission 
 under 

section 101
            (c) (1) , the Federal and Religious Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee shall hold an initial business 
 meeting--
        (A) to establish rules for the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee; and
        (B) to appoint 2 members of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee to serve 
 as non-voting designees on the Commission in accordance 
 with 

section 101
            (c) (3) .

    (2) Subsequent business meetings.--After the initial 
 business meeting of the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing 
 Advisory Committee is held under paragraph

    (1) , the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall meet at 
 the call of the Chairperson.

    (3) Format of business meetings.--A business meeting of the 
 Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee may 
 be conducted in-person or virtually.

    (4) Quorum required.--A business meeting of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee may be held only 
 after a quorum, established in accordance with subsection
            (d) , 
 is present.
            (d) Quorum.--A simple majority of the members of the Federal and 
Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall constitute a 
quorum for a business meeting.

    (e) Rules.--The Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory 
Committee may establish, with the advice of the Commission, by a 
majority vote, any rules for the conduct of business, in accordance 
with this section and other applicable law.

    (f) Duties.--The Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory 
Committee shall--

    (1) ensure the effective and timely coordination among 
 Federal agencies and religious institutions in furtherance of 
 the purposes of this Act;

    (2) assist the Commission and the Native American Truth and 
 Healing Advisory Committee in coordinating--
        (A) meetings and other related public and private 
 convenings; and
        (B) the collection, organization, and preservation 
 of information obtained from witnesses and by other 
 Federal agencies and religious institutions;

    (3) ensure the timely submission to the Commission of 
 materials, documents, testimony, and such other information as 
 the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out the 
 duties of the Commission; and

    (4) coordinate with the Commission, the Native American 
 Truth and Healing Advisory Committee, and the Survivors Truth 
 and Healing Subcommittee to carry out the purposes of this Act.

    (g) Consultation or Engagement With Native Americans, Indian 
Tribes, Tribal Organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and 
Native Hawaiian Organizations.--In carrying out the duties of the 
Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee under 
subsection

    (f) , the Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory 
Committee shall meaningfully consult or engage, as appropriate, in a 
timely manner with Native Americans, Indian Tribes, Tribal 
organizations, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations.

    (h) Nondisclosure.--

    (1) Privacy act of 1974 applicability.--Subsection

    (b) of 
 

section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as 
 the ``Privacy Act of 1974''), shall not apply to the Federal 
 and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.

    (2) Freedom of information act applicability.--Records and 
 other communications in the possession of the Federal and 
 Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee shall be exempt 
 from disclosure under subsection

    (b)

    (3)
        (B) of 

section 552 of 
 title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Freedom of 
 Information Act'').

    (3) Federal advisory committee act applicability.--Chapter 
 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the 
 ``Federal Advisory Committee Act''), shall not apply to the 
 Federal and Religious Truth and Healing Advisory Committee.

 TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. CLARIFICATION.

 The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) shall apply to cultural items (as defined in 

section 2 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 3001)) relating to an Indian Boarding 
School or Indian Boarding School Policies regardless of interpretation 
of applicability by a Federal agency.

SEC. 302. BURIAL MANAGEMENT.

 Federal agencies shall permit reburial of cultural items relating 
to an Indian Boarding School or Indian Boarding School Policies that 
have been repatriated pursuant to the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), or returned to a lineal 
descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization by any other 
disinterment process, on any Federal land as agreed to by the relevant 
parties.

SEC. 303. CO-STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENTS.

 A Federal agency that carries out activities pursuant to this Act 
or that created or controls a cemetery with remains of an individual 
who attended an Indian Boarding School or an Indian Boarding School may 
enter into a co-stewardship agreement for the management of the 
cemetery or Indian Boarding School.

SEC. 304. NO RIGHT OF ACTION.

 Nothing in this Act creates a private right of action to seek 
administrative or judicial relief.
 Calendar No. 139

119th CONGRESS

 1st Session

 S. 761

 [Report No. 119-54]

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To establish the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School 
 Policies in the United States, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 July 31, 2025

 Reported without amendment