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.
What does the HR 5140 do?
HR 5140 is a House bill sponsored by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX-26). Amends two sections of the District of Columbia Official Code to lower the age at which a minor may be treated as an adult in criminal proceedings for certain offenses. In section 16-2301(3) the exclusion threshold moves from "sixteen years of age" to "fourteen years of age." In section 16-2307(a) the ages at which a minor may be transferred to a criminal proceeding drop from "fifteen," "sixteen," and "eighteen" to "fourteen" in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) respectively. The changes apply to criminal offenses committed on and after the date of enactment.
Did HR 5140 pass? Where it stands
As of July 17, 2026, HR 5140 has passed the House.
Status: Passed House
Latest vote: House Passed 225–203 on September 16, 2025
Outlook: Moderate
Key provisions
- Family Court Exclusion Age Lowered to 14
- Section 16-2301(3), D.C. Official Code: "sixteen years of age" struck and "fourteen years of age" inserted
- In the matter following subparagraph (C): "the age of sixteen" replaced with "the age of fourteen"
- Criminal Transfer Ages All Reset to 14
- Section 16-2307(a)(1): "fifteen" → "fourteen"
- Section 16-2307(a)(2): "sixteen" → "fourteen"
- Section 16-2307(a)(3): "eighteen" → "fourteen"
- Applies Prospectively
- Applies with respect to criminal offenses committed on and after the date of enactment
Last updated July 15, 2026