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HR 6625 112th Congress House Native Americans Assault and harassment offenses Crimes against women Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Domestic violence and child abuse Evidence and witnesses Federal-Indian relations Jurisdiction and venue Law enforcement administration and funding Sex offenses Violent crime

Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2012

Introduced: December 4, 2012 Introduced by: Issa, Darrell Republican · California See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 7, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
Dec 7, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Dec 3, 2012
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Dec 3, 2012
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2012 - Amends the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 to give Indian tribes criminal jurisdiction over domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protective orders that occur on their lands. Makes that jurisdiction concurrent with federal and state jurisdiction.

Prohibits a tribe from exercising such jurisdiction if neither the defendant or alleged victim is an Indian, or the defendant lacks certain ties to the tribe.

Requires Indian tribes prosecuting those crimes to: (1) provide defendants the right to a trial by an impartial jury; and (2) notify detainees of their rights, including the right to file a writ of habeas corpus in federal court.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to assist Indian tribes in exercising such jurisdiction, providing indigent defendants with free legal counsel, and securing the rights of victims of such crimes.

Authorizes appropriations for such grant program and to provide participating Indian tribes with training, technical assistance, data collection, and an evaluation of their criminal justice systems.

Authorizes defendants charged with domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protective orders to petition the appropriate federal district court for the removal of their case from tribal court. Prohibits a case from being removed from tribal court unless a defendant proves by a preponderance of evidence that a constitutional right guaranteed under the Act has been violated, the tribal court has not adequately remedied the violation, and the violation is prejudicial to the defendant.

What's happening now December 7, 2012

Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6625: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6625/
MLA
"H.R. 6625: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6625/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6625, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6625/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6625: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6625/)
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