Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021

The Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act prohibits the export of Native American cultural items and human remains that were obtained illegally, aiming to prevent the international sale of tribal heritage. It increases criminal penalties for trafficking these items and creates a formal process to help individuals and organizations voluntarily return sacred objects to Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The law also establishes federal working groups to improve coordination between the government and Indigenous communities to ensure the protection and return of significant cultural artifacts.