HB53 Summary

• Establishes female genital mutilation as a Class B felony, defined as partially or totally removing, cutting, excising, infibulating, or otherwise mutilating the genital organs of females under age 19 or those unable to consent.

• Makes it a Class B felony for parents, legal guardians, or custodians to knowingly allow, authorize, or direct another person to commit female genital mutilation on a female under 19 or unable to consent.

• Makes it a Class B felony to knowingly remove or cause the removal of a female under 19 or unable to consent from Alabama for the purpose of committing or allowing female genital mutilation.

• Provides that females under 19 cannot consent to the procedure and that religious, cultural, or customary practices are not valid defenses to prosecution.

• Exempts medical procedures performed by licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or licensed midwives with informed consent when medically necessary or related to labor and delivery; violators lose their professional license permanently.