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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on the Judiciary · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Related bills

• S. 3054Kayla Hamilton ActRelated bill
• H.Res. 951Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4776) to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1366) to provide for the location of multiple hardrock mining mill sites, to establish the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 845) to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3616) to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review regulations that may affect the reliable operation of the bulk-power system; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3632) to amend the Federal Power Act to adjust the requirements for orders, rules, and regulations relating to furnishing adequate service, to require owners or operators of generating facilities to provide notice of planned retirements of certain electric generating units, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4371) to amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to enhance efforts to combat the trafficking of children.Procedurally related

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Dec 17, 2025

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. Senate

2. Dec 17, 2025

   Introduced

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. House

3. Dec 16, 2025

   Debate - the House Proceeded With One Hour of Debate on H.R. 4371.

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

   U.S. House of Representatives

4. Dec 16, 2025

   On Motion to Recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (roll no. 339).

   On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339).

5. Dec 16, 2025

   On Motion to Recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (roll no. 339).

   On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339).

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.