CERTAIN CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
(a) Lowering Age at Which Minor May Be Excluded From Jurisdiction
of Family Court.--
Introduced:
Sep 4, 2025
Policy Area:
Crime and Law Enforcement
Congress.gov:
Bill Statistics
16
Actions
6
Cosponsors
1
Summaries
5
Subjects
2
Text Versions
Yes
Full Text
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Latest Action
Sep 17, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Summaries (1)
Introduced in House
- Sep 4, 2025
00
<p>This bill lowers the age at which an individual may be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses in the District of Columbia (DC) to 14 years of age. </p><p>Under current DC law, an individual who is under 18 years of age is tried as a juvenile in family court. However, an individual who is 16 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is charged with murder, first-degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, robbery while armed, or assault with intent to commit any such offense. Additionally, an individual who is 15 years of age or older may be tried as an adult if the individual is alleged to have committed a felony and it is determined that (1) it is in the interest of the public welfare to try the individual as an adult, and (2) there are no reasonable prospects for the individual's rehabilitation.</p><p>The bill lowers the minimum age to be tried as an adult in these cases to 14 years of age.</p>
Actions (16)
Received in the Senate.
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: Senate
Sep 17, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H38310
Sep 16, 2025
5:15 PM
5:15 PM
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H37100
Sep 16, 2025
5:15 PM
5:15 PM
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339-4340: 1)
Type: Floor
| Source: Library of Congress
| Code: 8000
Sep 16, 2025
5:15 PM
5:15 PM
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H30000
Sep 16, 2025
5:02 PM
5:02 PM
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 5140, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garcia (CA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H8D000
Sep 16, 2025
4:02 PM
4:02 PM
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H35000
Sep 16, 2025
4:02 PM
4:02 PM
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H8D000
Sep 16, 2025
3:37 PM
3:37 PM
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H8D000
Sep 16, 2025
3:36 PM
3:36 PM
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H30000
Sep 16, 2025
3:36 PM
3:36 PM
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 707 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015 and H.R. 3062. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5143, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5125, H.R. 1047, H.R. 3015, and H.R. 3062 under a closed rule, and provides for a motion to recommit on each measure.
Type: Floor
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H1L210
Sep 15, 2025
7:25 PM
7:25 PM
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Type: Committee
| Source: House committee actions
| Code: H19000
Sep 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Type: Committee
| Source: House committee actions
| Code: H15001
Sep 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: House floor actions
| Code: H11100
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: Library of Congress
| Code: Intro-H
Sep 4, 2025
Introduced in House
Type: IntroReferral
| Source: Library of Congress
| Code: 1000
Sep 4, 2025
Subjects (5)
Crime and Law Enforcement
(Policy Area)
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
District of Columbia
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Violent crime
Cosponsors (6)
(R-NY)
Sep 17, 2025
Sep 17, 2025
(R-SC)
Sep 16, 2025
Sep 16, 2025
(R-FL)
Sep 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
(R-MT)
Sep 11, 2025
Sep 11, 2025
(R-LA)
Sep 9, 2025
Sep 9, 2025
(R-TN)
Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025
Text Versions (2)
Full Bill Text
Length: 1,936 characters
Version: Engrossed in House
Version Date: Sep 16, 2025
Last Updated: Nov 15, 2025 2:29 AM
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5140 Engrossed in House
(EH) ]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5140
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain
criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5140 Engrossed in House
(EH) ]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5140
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain
criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
Section 16-2301, District of Columbia Official Code,
is amended--
(1) in paragraph
(3) , by striking ``sixteen years of age''
and inserting ``fourteen years of age''; and
(2) in paragraph
(3) in the matter following subparagraph
(C) , by striking ``the age of sixteen'' and inserting ``the age
of fourteen''.
is amended--
(1) in paragraph
(3) , by striking ``sixteen years of age''
and inserting ``fourteen years of age''; and
(2) in paragraph
(3) in the matter following subparagraph
(C) , by striking ``the age of sixteen'' and inserting ``the age
of fourteen''.
(b) Lowering Age at Which Minor May Be Transferred to Criminal
Proceeding.--
(1) in paragraph
(3) , by striking ``sixteen years of age''
and inserting ``fourteen years of age''; and
(2) in paragraph
(3) in the matter following subparagraph
(C) , by striking ``the age of sixteen'' and inserting ``the age
of fourteen''.
(b) Lowering Age at Which Minor May Be Transferred to Criminal
Proceeding.--
Section 16-2307
(a) , District of Columbia Official Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph
(1) , by striking ``fifteen'' and inserting
``fourteen''; and
(2) in paragraph
(2) , by striking ``sixteen'' and inserting
``fourteen''.
(a) , District of Columbia Official Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph
(1) , by striking ``fifteen'' and inserting
``fourteen''; and
(2) in paragraph
(2) , by striking ``sixteen'' and inserting
``fourteen''.
(c) Applicability.--This Act, and the amendments made by this Act,
shall apply with respect to criminal offenses committed on and after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives September 16, 2025.
Attest:
Clerk.
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5140
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To lower the age at which a minor may be tried as an adult for certain
criminal offenses in the District of Columbia to 14 years of age.