Bill · S. 4590· Senate(119-S-4590)
KIDS Act
- Introduced
- 5/20/2026
- Last activity
- 5/20/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The KIDS Act aims to restrict the Department of Homeland Security from detaining children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, and their primary caregivers. It also prohibits immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of various sensitive locations, such as schools, medical facilities, and places of worship. These restrictions do not apply if the enforcement action is based on a criminal arrest or search warrant issued by a court. If a child or individual with a cognitive disability is detained, the Department must notify a parent or legal guardian and report the incident to Congress. The bill also establishes specific release priorities and legal remedies for violations of the sensitive location restrictions.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill limits the detention of children and requires parental notification and specific release priorities.
Would immigrants be better off under this?+5
The bill restricts enforcement actions at sensitive locations and provides legal remedies for wrongful detentions.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill provides specific protections against the detention of individuals with cognitive disabilities.
The opposite
Does this tighten control of the border?-2
The bill limits the Department of Homeland Security's ability to conduct enforcement actions and detentions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection for Vulnerable Populations: The bill limits the detention of children and people with cognitive disabilities, which may provide greater stability for these individuals (Section 3(a)).
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Preservation of Family Units: There is a presumption that primary caregivers cannot be detained unless the Department proves release is unreasonable or impracticable, which helps keep families together (Section 3(c)).
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Safety Near Sensitive Areas: By prohibiting enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of locations like schools, hospitals, and houses of worship, the bill creates a buffer zone around these community spaces (Section 4(a)).
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Clear Release Procedures: If a detention occurs improperly, the bill requires the Department to prioritize releasing the individual to a parent, legal guardian, or designated caregiver (Section 3(d)(1)).
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Legal Accountability: If the Department conducts enforcement at a sensitive location, the bill prevents any information gathered from being used in removal proceedings and allows individuals to file motions to terminate proceedings (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exceptions for Criminal Activity: The protections against detention and enforcement actions do not apply if there is a criminal arrest warrant or a criminal search warrant issued by a court (Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+6Good For Immigrants+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Childcare Affordability+2Improves Pathway To Citizenship+2Improves Voting Rights+2Improves Border Security-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves School Choice+2
- 5/20/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.