Bills · HR 5140
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5140Violent crimeDistrict of Columbia
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.
INTRO SEP 4· LAST ACTION SEP 17
READING
1MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it fundamentally changes how the justice system treats young teenagers accused of serious crimes in D.C. If it becomes law, it means that someone as young as 14 could face adult prison sentences and have a permanent adult criminal record, which can significantly impact their future education, employment, and housing opportunities.
If it doesn't pass, the current system remains, where 14- and 15-year-olds are generally handled within the juvenile justice system, which aims to provide age-appropriate interventions and rehabilitation. This bill reflects a broader debate about the balance between holding young people accountable for serious offenses and recognizing their developmental stage and capacity for change.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Changes D.C. law to allow minors aged 14 and older to be excluded from the Family Court's sole authority for certain offenses, lowering the age from 16.
This expands the types of cases where younger teens can be tried as adults.
PROVISION 02
Amends D.C. law to permit the transfer of minors as young as 14 to adult criminal proceedings for certain serious crimes, lowering the age from 15 or 16.
This directly enables the process of trying 14-year-olds in adult court.
PROVISION 03
The new rules and amendments made by this bill will apply only to criminal offenses committed on or after the date the bill becomes law.
This clarifies that the changes are not retroactive, only affecting future crimes.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
26
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 2%
DEM 0 REP 6 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
15 EVENTSSEP 17
Received in the Senate.
SEP 16
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
SEP 16
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
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 5140
Congress119th
StatusPassed House
IntroducedSep 4, 2025
Last actionSep 17, 2025
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PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025
House BillHR 5140Violent crimeDistrict of Columbia
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.
INTRODUCED SEP 4, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 17, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
