H.R. 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.

119th Congress · introduced 2025-09-04 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Received in the Senate.

federal

Official title

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.

Plain summary

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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

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: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] · 6 cosponsors

Money: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 5140, a bill 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 (2025-09-15) No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Recorded votes

House roll call 271 (2025): On Passage, H R 5140 (2025-09-16): Passed

Words on this page, explained (1)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119hr5140.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/hr>

Record fed-us-cong119-hr5140 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills