HB537 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Genital mutilation, making act on female under 19 years of age a Class B felony

Summary

HB537 would make female genital mutilation of a girl under 19 a Class B felony, with limited medical exceptions and penalties for parents or guardians who allow it.

What This Bill Does

It makes knowingly performing female genital mutilation on a female under 19 a Class B felony, and also makes it a crime for a parent or guardian to knowingly consent to or permit someone else to perform it. It prohibits removing a girl under 19 from Alabama to have the procedure done elsewhere. It allows certain medical exceptions for procedures that are medically necessary and performed by licensed professionals in licensed facilities, including procedures during labor or shortly after birth. It notes that, although the bill could require local funds, it is exempt from local-funding rules because it creates or changes a crime, and it becomes effective immediately upon governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Girls under 19 years old who would be protected from being subjected to genital mutilation by criminal penalties on others.
• Parents, guardians, or those with custody who could be charged if they knowingly consent to or permit FGM.
• Medical professionals and licensed health care facilities who perform medically necessary procedures or those performed during labor or after birth, as these are exempt from being illegal under the bill.
• Individuals who attempt to take a girl out of Alabama to have FGM performed, who would face criminal liability.

Key Provisions

• Defines female genital mutilation as circumcision, excision, mutilation, or infibulation of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of a female under 19.
• Makes it a Class B felony for (a) knowingly performing FGM; (b) a parent/guardian/custodian knowingly consenting to or permitting FGM by another; (c) knowingly removing a female under 19 from the state to have FGM performed.
• States that the act is not a defense if the act is done for religious, cultural, or customary reasons, or if the female or guardian consented.
• Provides medical exceptions: a surgical procedure is not a violation if medically necessary and performed by a licensed practitioner in a licensed facility, or if done during labor or shortly after birth for medical purposes by a licensed practitioner.
• Excludes the bill from further local-funding requirements because it defines or amends a crime, not a general law, and it becomes effective immediately after governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses