H.R. 4371 · Passed House · Crime and Law Enforcement

Kayla Hamilton Act

What it does

Requires HHS, when placing an unaccompanied child in the least restrictive setting, to consider the child's danger to self, danger to the community, and flight risk, rather than merely permitting it.
Requires placement in a secure facility for a child 13 or older with gang-related markings or tattoos or a history of gang-related arrests or criminal conduct.
Requires HHS to give DHS every adult household member's name, date of birth, Social Security number, immigration status, contact details, and background check results when vetting a sponsor.
Prohibits placing a child with a sponsor who is unlawfully present in the United States.

Official 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…

Latest action

Dec 17, 2025: Received in the Senate.

Committee: House Judiciary