HB170 Summary

• Establishes the crime of female genital mutilation, defined as removing, cutting, circumcising, excising, mutilating, infibulating, or performing other harmful procedures to the female genitalia of a person under age 19 for non-medical purposes.

• Classifies the offense as a Class B felony when committed directly, when a parent or legal guardian knowingly allows or directs another to commit it, or when someone knowingly removes a minor from the state for this purpose.

• Declares that persons under age 19 cannot consent to female genital mutilation and that religious, cultural, or ritual justifications 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 physical health.

• Does not establish standards of care for hospitals or physicians and does not modify existing Alabama Medical Liability Acts; becomes effective immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval.