HB421 Summary

• Establishes the crime of female genital mutilation, defined as removal, cutting, excision, mutilation, infibulation, or reinfibulation of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of a female under age 19, including clitoridectomy and harmful procedures such as piercing, scraping, cauterizing, burning, and scarring.

• Makes violation a Class B felony for individuals who commit the procedure, parents or guardians who knowingly allow or authorize it, or anyone who knowingly removes a female under 19 from the state for this purpose.

• Declares that persons under 19 cannot consent to the procedure and establishes that religious, cultural, or customary justifications and consent of the victim or parents are not valid defenses.

• Exempts procedures performed by licensed physicians, certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or licensed midwives when medically necessary to preserve the female's physical health.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor; exempts the bill from Amendment 621 local expenditure requirements because it defines a new crime.