Kayla Hamilton Act
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.
Floor Votes
Timeline
- Dec 17, 2025Received in the Senate.
- Dec 16, 2025The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Dec 16, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- 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)
- Dec 16, 2025On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339).
- Dec 16, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5933-5934)
- 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.
- Dec 16, 2025The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Dec 16, 2025Ms. Stansbury moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5927)
- Dec 16, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Dec 16, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4371.
- 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.
- Dec 16, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H5921-5927)
- Dec 16, 2025Rule H. Res. 951 passed House.
- 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.
- Oct 17, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 297.
- Oct 17, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.
- Oct 17, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.
- Sep 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.
- Sep 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 14, 2025Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Jul 14, 2025Introduced in House
- Jul 14, 2025Introduced in House
Cosponsors
In the News
- Press Release: Congressman Russell Fry Secures $3 Million in Funding for South Carolina's Seventh District - Quiver Quantitative
- Press Release: Congressman Russell Fry and President Trump Announce $10.8 Million Funding for South Carolina's Seventh District - Quiver Quantitative
- Newly passed House bill would allow unaccompanied minors to be strip-searched and more - Los Angeles Times
- How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending Dec. 18 - WRAL
- FAIR-supported Kayla Hamilton Act Passes House of Representatives - Federation for American Immigration Reform
- House Approves Bill Expanding Detention of Immigrant Children - Davis Vanguard
- Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act - Quiver Quantitative
- Chairwoman McClain, Rep. Fry Statements on the House Passing Bill to Close Dangerous Immigration Loopholes - House Republicans (.gov)
- Rules Committee Hearing H.R. 4776, 1366, 3616, 3632, 4371, 845 - House of Representatives Committee on Rules | (.gov)
- 119th Congress Vote Tracker - Federation for American Immigration Reform
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