This bill significantly alters the juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia by lowering the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for specific criminal offenses. Currently, minors must be at least 16 years old to be excluded from Family Court jurisdiction and transferred to adult criminal proceedings. The proposed legislation reduces this threshold to 14 years of age . Specifically, the bill amends two sections of the District of Columbia Official Code. It revises Section 16-2301 to allow for the exclusion of 14-year-olds from Family Court jurisdiction and modifies Section 16-2307(a) to permit the transfer of 14-year-olds to adult criminal proceedings. These provisions will take effect for all criminal offenses committed on or after the date of the bill's enactment.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339-4345: 1)
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346-4347: 1)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339-4345: 1)
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346-4347: 1)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationDistrict of ColumbiaJuvenile crime and gang violenceViolent crime
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.
USA119th CongressHR-5140| House
| Updated: 9/17/2025
This bill significantly alters the juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia by lowering the age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for specific criminal offenses. Currently, minors must be at least 16 years old to be excluded from Family Court jurisdiction and transferred to adult criminal proceedings. The proposed legislation reduces this threshold to 14 years of age . Specifically, the bill amends two sections of the District of Columbia Official Code. It revises Section 16-2301 to allow for the exclusion of 14-year-olds from Family Court jurisdiction and modifies Section 16-2307(a) to permit the transfer of 14-year-olds to adult criminal proceedings. These provisions will take effect for all criminal offenses committed on or after the date of the bill's enactment.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339-4345: 1)
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346-4347: 1)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 19.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339-4345: 1)
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 707. (consideration: CR H4339)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5140.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4346-4347: 1)
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 225 - 203 (Roll no. 271). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4339)