25 U.S.C. § 5321
Self-determination contracts
United States · Title 25 — INDIANS · Status: effective
Cite this
- Citation
- 25 U.S.C. § 5321, Self-determination contracts, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/461897
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Full text
The Secretary is directed, upon the request of any Indian tribe by tribal resolution, to enter into a self-determination contract or contracts with a tribal organization to plan, conduct, and administer programs or portions thereof, including construction programs—
If so authorized by an Indian tribe under paragraph (1) of this subsection, a tribal organization may submit a proposal for a self-determination contract, or a proposal to amend or renew a self-determination contract, to the Secretary for review. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Secretary shall, within ninety days after receipt of the proposal, approve the proposal and award the contract unless the Secretary provides written notification to the applicant that contains a specific finding that clearly demonstrates that, or that is supported by a controlling legal authority that—
The Secretary shall approve any severable portion of a contract proposal that does not support a declination finding described in paragraph (2). If the Secretary determines under such paragraph that a contract proposal—
Whenever the Secretary declines to enter into a self-determination contract or contracts pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall—
For purposes of section 233 of title 42, with respect to claims by any person, initially filed on or after December 22, 1987, whether or not such person is an Indian or Alaska Native or is served on a fee basis or under other circumstances as permitted by Federal law or regulations for personal injury, including death, resulting from the performance prior to, including, or after December 22, 1987, of medical, surgical, dental, or related functions, including the conduct of clinical studies or investigations, or for purposes of section 2679, title 28, with respect to claims by any such person, on or after November 29, 1990, for personal injury, including death, resulting from the operation of an emergency motor vehicle, an Indian tribe, a tribal organization or Indian contractor carrying out a contract, grant agreement, or cooperative agreement under sections 22 So in original. Probably should be “section”. 5321 or 5322 of this title is deemed to be part of the Public Health Service in the Department of Health and Human Services while carrying out any such contract or agreement and its employees (including those acting on behalf of the organization or contractor as provided in section 2671 of title 28 and including an individual who provides health care services pursuant to a personal services contract with a tribal organization for the provision of services in any facility owned, operated, or constructed under the jurisdiction of the Indian Health Service) are deemed employees of the Service while acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out the contract or agreement: Provided, That such employees shall be deemed to be acting within the scope of their employment in carrying out such contract or agreement when they are required, by reason of such employment, to perform medical, surgical, dental or related functions at a facility other than the facility operated pursuant to such contract or agreement, but only if such employees are not compensated for the performance of such functions by a person or entity other than such Indian tribe, tribal organization or Indian contractor.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a decision by an official of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Health and Human Services, as appropriate (referred to in this paragraph as the “Department”) that constitutes final agency action and that relates to an appeal within the Department that is conducted under subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be made either—
In the negotiation of contracts and funding agreements, the Secretary shall—
carry out this chapter in a manner that maximizes the policy of Tribal self-determination, in a manner consistent with—
Subject to section 101(a) of the PROGRESS for Indian Tribes Act, each provision of this chapter and each provision of a contract or funding agreement shall be liberally construed for the benefit of the Indian Tribe participating in self-determination, and any ambiguity shall be resolved in favor of the Indian Tribe.
Legislative history
The public laws that enacted or amended this section. Tallies are for the whole bill as it passed each chamber — often an omnibus covering far more than this provision — not a vote on this section alone.
- Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance ActHouse: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1988, and for other purposes.House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- A bill making appropriations for the Department of Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989, and for other purposes.House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Amendments of 1988House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Southern California Indian Land Transfer ActHouse: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Indian Self-Determination Act Amendments of 1994House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
- PROGRESS for Indian Tribes ActHouse: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally