119th Congress · introduced in the House · Jul 14, 2025
Kayla Hamilton Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Dec 17, 2025): Received in the Senate.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Jul 14, 2025)
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.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · Dec 16, 2025 · Roll call 340 · Passed
House · Dec 16, 2025 · Roll call 339 · Failed
Received in the Senate.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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 details
Passed/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 details
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 208 - 218 (Roll no. 339). Roll call details
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5933-5934)
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.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Ms. Stansbury moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H5927)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4371.
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.
Border security and unlawful immigration · Child safety and welfare · Detention of persons · Human trafficking · Immigration status and procedures · Juvenile crime and gang violence · Smuggling and trafficking
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H5921-5927)
Rule H. Res. 951 passed House.
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.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 297.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-345.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 13.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
15 citations.
FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · amended · posted Sep 28, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$1,000,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tect Sensitive Locations Act S.398 - No BAN Act S. 2212 - VISIBLE Act H.R. 1061 - Protect Sensitive Locations Act H.R. 924 - No BAN Act H.R. 4667 - VISIBLE Act H.R. 4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act House unnumbered immigration enforcement reform House unnumbered GRACE Act Senate unnumbered GRACE Act H.R. 6397 Dignity for Detained Immi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE · lobbying firm or registrant: KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$130,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R.3763/S.1965, Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act S.1297, Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 H.R.1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (provisions related to unaccompanied children) H.R.6938/S.…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM · lobbying firm or registrant: FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 15, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$44,000
Spent on own lobbying
…rd American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act H.R. 22 / S. 128, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act H.R. 151 / S. 2205, Equal Representation Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act H.R. 7744, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R.7147, Further Addi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · amended · posted Mar 4, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$1,000,000
Spent on own lobbying
…tect Sensitive Locations Act S.398 - No BAN Act S. 2212 - VISIBLE Act H.R. 1061 - Protect Sensitive Locations Act H.R. 924 - No BAN Act H.R. 4667 - VISIBLE Act H.R. 4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act House unnumbered immigration enforcement reform House unnumbered GRACE Act Senate unnumbered GRACE Act H.R. 6397 Dignity for Detained Immi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS · lobbying firm or registrant: MASON CONSULTING, LLC
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 23, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$24,000
Paid to lobbying firm
…for Childhood Arrivals program Implementation of provisions of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (PL 119-21) H.R. 1061/S. 455, Protecting Sensitive Locations Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act H.R. 5319, Limiting ICEs Nationwide Encroachment (LINE) Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
COMMUNITY CHANGE ACTION · lobbying firm or registrant: NVG, LLC
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 21, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R.32 - No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act. H.R.3486 - Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. H.R.4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: NVG, LLC
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$60,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R.32 - No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act. H.R.3486 - Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. H.R.4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE · lobbying firm or registrant: KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$120,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R.3763/S.1965, Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act S.3322/H.R.6389, Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act of 2025 S.1297/H.R 3763, Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 S.314…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 16, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$520,000
Spent on own lobbying
…bbied: Criminal Justice. H.R. 5068-MORE Act-Issues Lobbied: Marijuana Decriminalization. H.R. 59-Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025-Issues Lobbied: Sentencing Reform. H.R. 4371-Kayla Hamilton Act-Issues Lobbied: Immigration, Child Immigrants. H.R. 5342-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026-Issues Lo…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
MOVEON.ORG CIVIC ACTION · lobbying firm or registrant: PORT SIDE STRATEGIES, LLC
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 16, 2026 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$20,000
Paid to lobbying firm
H.R.22 SAVE Act - opposed. No Political Enemies (NOPE) Act - in support. H.R.4371 - Kayla Hamilton Act - opposed.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY (CLASP) · lobbying firm or registrant: CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY (CLASP)
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 15, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
Amount not reported
…ublic Charge Ground of Inadmissibility, Re: DHS Docket No. USCIS-2025-0304, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In opposition to the Kayla Hamilton Act (H.R.4371).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM · lobbying firm or registrant: FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 14, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$36,515
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 2 / S. 2824,Secure the Border Act H.R. 22 / S. 128, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act H.R. 151 / S. 2205, Equal Representation Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 H.R. 5450, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 20…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM · lobbying firm or registrant: FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 29, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$29,515
Spent on own lobbying
…sk (SAFER) at the Border Act H.R. 5232, Domestic Jobs Protection Act H.R. 5005, Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act S. 2555, Student Visa Integrity Act H.R. 4371, Kayla Hamilton Act H.R. 5371, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 H.R. 5450, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions and Other Matters Act, 20…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE · lobbying firm or registrant: KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 20, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$140,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 H.R.1144, Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 H.R. 4371, To amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to enhance efforts to combat the trafficking of children H.R. 4176…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 17, 2025 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$400,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ana Decriminalization. H.R. 59-Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025-Issues Lobbied: Sentencing Reform. H.R. 2-Secure the Border Act of 2023-Issues Lobbied: Immigration. H.R. 4371-Kayla Hamilton Act-Issues Lobbied: Immigration. H.R. 5342-Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026-Issues Lobbied: Criminal Le…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing