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Bill · 119th Congress · HR 5140

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.

Refreshed 3 h ago

Introduced 2025-09-04Topic: criminal justice · public safety

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service

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. 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. The bill lowers the minimum age to be tried as an adult in these cases to 14 years of age.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

Recorded votes

DateChamberQuestionResultYeasNays
2025-09-16House roll 271On PassagePassed225203

Action history

DateChamberActionStatus effect
2025-09-17SenateReceived in the Senate.refer
2025-09-16HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-09-16HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
2025-09-16Passed/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)floor pass
2025-09-16HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
2025-09-16HousePOSTPONED 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.
2025-09-16HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2025-09-16HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
2025-09-16HouseRule 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.
2025-09-16HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
2025-09-15HouseRules 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.
2025-09-10HouseOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.refer
2025-09-10HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Heldrefer
2025-09-04HouseReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.refer
2025-09-04Introduced in Houseintroduce
2025-09-04Introduced in Houseintroduce
Source: GovInfo Bill Status (Library of Congress), fetched 2026-09-11. Provisions and opinion polling arrive in a later release.