Senate Bill 2041 Summary

• Criminalizes female genital mutilation of minors as a felony punishable by a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine, including arranging, transporting, aiding, or conspiring to commit mutilation.

• Requires healthcare providers, teachers, and social service providers to report suspected or threatened mutilation to the Department of Child Protection Services and law enforcement within 12 hours, with failure to report constituting a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and $5,000 fine.

• Establishes genital mutilation of a female minor as child abuse under Section 97-5-39 and as grounds for parental rights termination under Section 93-15-121.

• Creates civil cause of action allowing victims to recover treble damages plus exemplary damages, litigation costs, expert fees, and attorney fees from perpetrators and negligent providers, with no caps on noneconomic damages or sovereign immunity limitations.

• Sets a 10-year statute of limitations for civil actions based on female genital mutilation, with exceptions for medically necessary procedures, and takes effect July 1, 2024.