US Congress · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 5140Passed Origin Chamber

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.

Source of recordUS Congress · congress.govLast synced Jul 14, 2026

Chamber

House

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became Law

Overview

This bill changes the age at which minors in the District of Columbia can be tried as adults for certain serious crimes. Currently, individuals aged 16 or older can be tried as adults, and those 15 or older under specific circumstances. This legislation lowers the minimum age to 14 for being tried as an adult in these cases, aiming to reduce the number of young people prosecuted as adults.

Key provisions

Lowers the minimum age for trying a minor as an adult in DC criminal cases from 14 to 14.
Specifically amends DC law regarding exclusion from Family Court jurisdiction.
Modifies the age thresholds for transferring minors to criminal proceedings.
Changes the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult based on public welfare considerations.
Applies the changes to criminal offenses committed after the bill’s enactment.

Who is affected

Minors in the District of Columbia
Prosecutors in the District of Columbia
Defense attorneys in the District of Columbia
The District of Columbia legal system
Individuals charged with serious crimes in the District of Columbia

Notable changes

Reduces the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult from 14 to 14.
Alters the criteria for transferring minors to criminal proceedings.

Bill text

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Sep 4, 2025XMLView source

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Legislative history

16 recorded actions · showing the most recent 12

Sep 10, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 15, 2025House

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.

Sep 16, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sep 16, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)

Sep 16, 2025

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)

Sep 16, 2025House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)

Sep 16, 2025House

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.

Sep 16, 2025House

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Sep 16, 2025House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.

Sep 16, 2025House

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.

Sep 16, 2025House

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)

Sep 17, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate.

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

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Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

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Recorded roll calls

Geography

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No public positions recorded for this legislation.

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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.

Progress