Kayla Hamilton Act
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider additional information when it makes placement determinations for unaccompanied alien children in its custody. Under federal law, an unaccompanied alien child is a minor with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the United States to provide care and physical custody.
Current law requires HHS to (1) place a child in the least restrictive setting that is in the child's best interest, and (2) assess the safety and suitability of a sponsor prior to placing a child with that sponsor.
In determining the least restrictive setting, this bill requires (currently, permits) HHS to consider the child's danger to self, danger to the community, and flight risk. Additionally, the bill requires placement in a secure facility in the case of a child who is 13 years of age or older and has gang-related markings or tattoos or a history of gang-related arrests or criminal conduct.
In assessing the safety and suitability of a sponsor, this bill requires HHS to collect and provide to the Department of Homeland Security information about all adult residents of the household, including name, date of birth, Social Security number, immigration status, contact information, and the results of all background and criminal records checks. The bill also prohibits HHS from placing a child with a sponsor who is unlawfully present in the United States.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-17 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate. | Senate |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Vote | On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 201 (Roll no. 340). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5921-5922) | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Vote | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339). | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5933-5934) | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate H.R. 4371, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Stansbury demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Ms. Stansbury moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5927) | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4371. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H5921-5927) | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Rule H. Res. 951 passed House. | House floor actions |
| 2025-12-16 | Floor | Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 951 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill. | House floor actions |
| 2025-10-17 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 297. | House floor actions |
| 2025-10-17 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345. | House floor actions |
| 2025-09-10 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13. | House committee actions |
| 2025-09-10 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | House committee actions |
| 2025-07-14 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House floor actions |
| 2025-07-14 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |