PROTECT Act of 2025

This bill strengthens public safety in Indian Country. It lets Tribal courts issue the same kinds of warrants other courts use to get emails and other electronic messages from tech providers, following Tribal warrant rules under the Indian Civil Rights Act. It also updates related privacy and notice rules and adds Tribes to the video privacy law so they are treated the same as states and local governments there .

It also expands what Tribal courts can handle. Tribes would have clear power to prosecute drug crimes (like trafficking, unlawful possession, and paraphernalia) and certain gun crimes tied to covered crimes or by people convicted of domestic violence. The bill spells out definitions for these offenses so they are clear and consistent. It also makes a change to the federal Bureau of Prisons program that houses some Tribal inmates, to support Tribal justice systems .

• Who is affected | What changes | When
• Tribal courts and law enforcement; people on reservations; tech and communication providers | Tribal courts can seek electronic records with Tribal-court warrants under the Stored Communications Act; related privacy rules updated to include Tribes; clear Tribal authority over controlled substance and certain firearms offenses; BOP Tribal Prisoner Program adjusted | Not specified in the text provided