H.R. 4371 · 119th Congress · House

Kayla Hamilton Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate.
Introduced
Jul 14, 25
Passed House
Dec 16, 25
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

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 Timeline

24
  1. DEC 17, 2025IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    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.

  3. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Rule H

    Res. 951 passed House.

  4. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H

    Res. 951. (consideration: CR H5921-5927)

    5921Yea
    5927Nay
    0NV
  5. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    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.

  6. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4371.

  7. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  8. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Ms

    Stansbury moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5927)

  9. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

  10. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    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.

  11. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H5933-5934)

    5933Yea
    5934Nay
    0NV
  12. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #339

    208 - 218 (Roll no. 339).

    208Yea
    218Nay
    0NV
  13. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #340

    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)

    225Yea
    201Nay
    0NV
  14. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays

    Roll Call #340

    225 - 201 (Roll no. 340). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5921-5922)

    225Yea
    201Nay
    0NV
  15. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  16. DEC 16, 2025Floor

    The title of the measure was amended

    Agreed to without objection.

  17. OCT 17, 2025Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.

    119Yea
    345Nay
    0NV
  18. OCT 17, 2025Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.

    119Yea
    345Nay
    0NV
  19. OCT 17, 2025Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 297.

  20. SEP 10, 2025Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  21. SEP 10, 2025Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.

    16Yea
    13Nay
    0NV
  22. JUL 14, 2025IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  23. JUL 14, 2025IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  24. JUL 14, 2025IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Committees

5

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Dec 16, 2025

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Dec 16, 2025

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Oct 17, 2025

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Sep 10, 2025

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Jul 14, 2025

Active