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.

Bill: 119-hr-5140
Sponsor: Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
Introduced: 2025-09-04 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
District of Columbia
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: 
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.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: 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)
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: 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.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: 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.
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
action_date: 2025-09-15
text: 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.
action_date: 2025-09-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
action_date: 2025-09-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-09-04
text: Introduced in House