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HR 780 113th Congress House

Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2013

Official title: To authorize Indian tribes to exercise jurisdiction over crimes of domestic violence that occur in the Indian country of that tribe.

Introduced: February 15, 2013 Introduced by: Issa, Darrell Republican · California See on congress.gov
Native Americans Assault and harassment offensesCrimes against womenCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencing
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Department of JusticeDomestic violence and child abuseEvidence and witnessesFederal-Indian relationsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementJurisdiction and venueLaw enforcement administration and fundingSex offensesViolent crime
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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
Apr 8, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations.
Mar 1, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.
Feb 15, 2013
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.
Feb 15, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 8, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, And Investigations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2013 - 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 clear and convincing 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.

Authorizes and encourages U.S. Attorneys serving districts that include Indian country to appoint qualified tribal prosecutors as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to assist them in processing removal petitions and prosecuting crimes of domestic violence and dating violence in Indian country.

 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. 780: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-780/
MLA
"H.R. 780: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-780/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 780, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-780/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 780: Violence Against Indian Women Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-780/)
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