WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4371 · 119th Congress

Kayla Hamilton Act

Passed HouseCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedJul 14, 2025
Passed HouseDec 16, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Dec 17, 2025: Received in the Senate. The House passed it 225–201. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law and would add 2 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4371 would change 2 sections of existing law, and would create 2 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Dec 16, 2025).

6 U.S.C. 279 Children's affairs

8 U.S.C. 1232 Enhancing efforts to combat the trafficking of children

  • (c) Providing safe and secure placements for children rewritten · Sec. 3(1), Sec. 3(2) · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 4 Construction; severability
  • Sec. 5 Exemption from Paperwork Reduction Act and the Administrative Procedure Act
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 6 U.S.C. 279(b)(2)rewrittenby H.R. 4371 Sec. 2

    The bill says: Section 462(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 279(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

  2. 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)rewrittenby H.R. 4371 Sec. 3(1)

    (2) Safe and secure placements.—(A) Initial actions.— The Secretary of Health and Human Services may not make a placement determination under this paragraph for an unaccompanied alien child who is in Federal custody by reason of the immigration status of that child until the Secretary does the following:(i) Consultations.— The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General (including appropriate juvenile justice officials)—(I) to ensure that the unaccompanied alien child will appear for all immigration, administrative, and judicial hearings or proceedings in which the child is involved;(II) to ensure that the unaccompanied alien child will be protected from smugglers, traffickers, gangs, and others who might seek to victimize or otherwise engage the child in criminal, harmful, or exploitative activity; and(III) to determine if the unaccompanied alien child—(aa) is a flight risk;(bb) is a danger to self, another individual, or the community; or(cc) has been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any criminal offense in the United States or in his or her country of citizenship, nationality, or last habitual residence.(ii) Screening for gang related activity; requirement to obtain criminal records.— In the case of an unaccompanied alien child 12 years of age or older, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—(I) contact the consulate or embassy of the country of citizenship, nationality, or last habitual residence for the unaccompanied alien child to obtain any relevant arrest records, pending criminal charges, or conviction documents involving such child; and(II) conduct an examination of the unaccompanied alien child to determine if such child has any gang-related tattoos and other gang-related markings.(B) Placement generally.—(i) In general.— Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, an unaccompanied alien child who is in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be promptly placed in the least restrictive setting that is in the best interest of the child.(ii) Prohibition on release on own recognizance.— An unaccompanied alien child may not be released on his or her own recognizance.(C) Placement of certain unaccompanied alien children in secure facilities.— In the case of an unaccompanied alien child 12 years of age or older, the unaccompanied alien child shall be placed in a secure facility for the duration of any immigration proceedings (and, if ordered removed, until such unaccompanied alien child is removed) if the unaccompanied alien child—(i) is a flight risk; or(ii) is a danger to self, other individuals, or the community, including if the unaccompanied alien child—(I) has a gang-related tattoo or any other gang-related marking;(II) has been convicted of a serious criminal offense (as defined in section 101(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(h))) in any State or territory of the United States or in the unaccompanied alien child’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last habitual residence;(III) has been convicted of any aggravated felony (as defined in section 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(43)); or(IV) has, for conduct in connection with gang affiliation or gang activity in any State or territory of the United States or in the unaccompanied alien child’s country of citizenship, nationality, or last habitual residence—(aa) any arrest record;(bb) any pending criminal charge;(cc) any other pending proceeding; or(dd) any conviction.(D) Prohibitions on placement of unaccompanied alien children with certain individuals.— The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not place an unaccompanied alien child in the custody of any individual who is one or more of the following:(i) Secure and stable sponsors.— An individual who is not a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.(ii) Individuals with criminal history.— An individual who has been convicted of, or who resides in a household with an individual who has been convicted of—(I) a sex offense (as defined in section 111(5) of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (34 U.S.C. 20911(5)));(II) a crime involving severe forms of trafficking in persons (as defined in section 103(11) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7102(11)));(III) a crime of domestic violence (as defined in section 40002(a)(12) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(12)));(IV) a crime of child abuse and neglect (as defined in section 3 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 93–247; 42 U.S.C. 5101 note));(V) murder, manslaughter, or an attempt to commit murder or manslaughter (as defined in sections 1111, 1112, and 1113 of title 18, United States Code);(VI) a crime involving the receipt, distribution, or possession of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct (as described in section 2252 of title 18, United States Code);(VII) any crime for which an alien is required to be taken into custody pursuant to section 236(c)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1226(c)(1));(VIII) any aggravated felony (as defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act);(IX) any crime defined as a felony by the relevant jurisdiction (Federal, State, tribal, or local);(X) any crime punishable by more than 1 year of imprisonment; or(XI) any other criminal offense as designated by the Attorney General, in the Attorney General’s sole and unreviewable discretion.

    The bill says: in paragraph (2), to read as follows:

  3. 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(A)changedby H.R. 4371 Sec. 3(2)

    The bill says: in subparagraph (A), by striking "Subject to the requirements of subparagraph (B)" and inserting "Subject to the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (D)"; and

  4. 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)added (D)by H.R. 4371 Sec. 3(2)

    (D) Information about individuals with whom children are placed.— Before placing a child with any individual, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the Secretary of Homeland Security, with regard to the individual with whom the child will be placed and each adult resident of the individual’s household, information on—(i) the name of the individual and each adult resident of the individual’s household;(ii) the social security number or individual taxpayer identification number of the individual and each adult resident of the individual’s household;(iii) the date of birth of the individual and of each adult resident of the individual’s household;(iv) the physical location and address of the individual’s residence where the child will be placed;(v) the immigration status of the individual and each adult resident of the individual’s household;(vi) contact information for the individual and for each adult resident of the individual’s household, including telephone numbers, email addresses, and work telephone numbers (if available); and(vii) the results of all background and criminal records checks conducted on the individual and each adult resident of the individual’s household, which shall include at a minimum an investigation of the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, a public records background check, and a national criminal history background check based on fingerprints.

    The bill says: by inserting at the end the following:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 14, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Dec 17, 2025Received in the Senate.Senate
  2. Dec 16, 2025The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Dec 16, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Dec 16, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 201 (Roll no. 340). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5921-5922) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  5. Dec 16, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: 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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. Dec 16, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  7. Dec 16, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5933-5934)House floor actions
  8. Dec 16, 2025POSTPONED 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
  9. Dec 16, 2025The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  10. Dec 16, 2025Ms. Stansbury moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5927)House floor actions
  11. Dec 16, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  12. Dec 16, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4371.House floor actions
  13. Dec 16, 2025Rule 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
  14. Dec 16, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H5921-5927)House floor actions
  15. Dec 16, 2025Rule H. Res. 951 passed House.House floor actions
  16. Dec 16, 2025Rules 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
  17. Oct 17, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 297.House floor actions
  18. Oct 17, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.House floor actions
  19. Oct 17, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.Library of Congress
  20. Sep 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.House committee actions
  21. Sep 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  22. Jul 14, 2025Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
  23. Jul 14, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  24. Jul 14, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Dec 16, 2025 · HousePassed 225–201
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 218 yes, 0 noD 7 yes, 201 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Dec 16, 2025 · HouseFailed 208–218
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 218 noD 208 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Barry Moore R-AL-1
  • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22