HB421 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Crimes and offenses, crime of female genital mutilation established, criminal penalties provided

Summary

The bill makes female genital mutilation a crime with penalties, allows a limited medical-necessity exception, and includes immediate effectiveness with local-funds considerations.

What This Bill Does

It creates the crime of female genital mutilation and imposes a Class B felony for performing it on anyone under 19, as well as for parents or guardians who allow, direct, or arrange it or who remove a child from the state to have it done. Minors under 19 cannot legally consent, and religious or cultural justifications are not defenses. It allows medically necessary procedures performed by licensed professionals to preserve health, and, despite involving local funds, the bill is exempt from local-funds requirements and becomes law immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Females under age 19: protected from being subjected to FGM; performing FGM on them is a Class B felony.
• Parents/guardians/custodians of a female under 19: could be criminally liable if they allow, direct, or arrange FGM or remove the child from Alabama to have it done.

Key Provisions

• Defines female genital mutilation to include removal or harm to female genitalia of a person under 19, including non-medical procedures, with specific examples.
• Establishes penalties by making performing FGM on someone under 19, or guardians who permit or direct it, or removal of a child from the state for the purpose of FGM, a Class B felony; includes an age-consent rule and an medical-necessity exception for licensed professionals.

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