Bill to help protect Native American children heading to president's desk

BISMARCK—Legislation requiring all adults living in potential foster homes to undergo background checks before a Native American child can be placed there has passed Congress and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.

The bill, dubbed the Native American Children's Safety Act, was sponsored by North Dakota Republicans Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Kevin Cramer in their respective chambers. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., was a cosponsor of the bill, which a news release issued this week said "implements protections for Native American children placed by tribal courts into the tribal foster care system."

http://www.jamestownsun.com/news/state/4043094-bill-help-protect-native-american-children-heading-presidents-desk