H.R. 4371Kayla Hamilton Act

2 recorded actionsWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Russell Fry [R-SC-07]
Cosponsors: 2 · 2 Republicans
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Committee: Judiciary Committee
Latest action: Dec 17, 2025 · Received in the Senate.

IntroducedJul 14, 2025
Passed the HouseDec 16, 2025
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 4371 as introduced in House on Jul 14, 2025. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

Roll calls on H.R. 43712 roll calls on this measure

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Dec 16, 2025Each bar: ✓ Yea from the bottom, ✕ Nay aboveDec 16, 2025

How every member votedHouse roll call 340

House Dec 16, 2025 · the primary vote

On Passage

Kayla Hamilton Act

Passed

225 Yea 201 Nay 7 not voting

Party-line vote 7 of 426 voting members broke with their own party: 7 Democrats.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsIndependentsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members433 members

Democratic213 members

Independent1 member

Republican219 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors2 · 2 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 4371 and vote against it. 2 signed when it was filed.

RTroy E. Nehls [R-TX-22]Original

RBarry Moore [R-AL-01]Original

Loading the public record

H.R. 4371Kayla Hamilton Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 43712 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 340

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors2 · 2 Republicans

H.R. 4371Kayla Hamilton Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

Roll calls on H.R. 43712 roll calls on this measure

How every member votedHouse roll call 340

On Passage

How the chamber split

Cosponsors2 · 2 Republicans

Who lobbied on H.R. 43719 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 43719 organizations