Bill > S3054

This bill, known as the Kayla Hamilton Act, aims to enhance efforts to combat child trafficking by implementing stricter guidelines for the placement and handling of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) in the United States. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct comprehensive consultations with Homeland Security and the Attorney General before placing a UAC, including mandatory screenings for children 12 and older to check for gang-related activities, criminal records, and potential risks. For UACs 12 and older who are deemed a flight risk or potential danger, the bill mandates placement in a secure facility during immigration proceedings. The bill also prohibits releasing UACs on their own recognizance and restricts placement with sponsors who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or who have certain criminal histories, including sex offenses, trafficking crimes, domestic violence, and felonies. Additionally, the bill requires detailed background checks and information gathering about potential sponsors and household members before placing a child. The legislation provides exemptions from certain administrative procedures to facilitate its immediate implementation and applies to all pending and future release and custody determinations for unaccompanied alien children.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3054/all-info