Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill adds female genital mutilation (FGM) to Maryland’s definition of child abuse, bans the practice on anyone under 18, and requires mandatory reporting by health workers, police, educators, and human‑service staff. It creates felony penalties, up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 fines, and mandates license revocation for health‑occupation licensees who violate the law. The law also gives victims a civil right to sue, requires annual state reporting, and orders the development of public education materials about FGM.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Hearings

• Judiciary — Bill Hearing
  Judiciary · Mar 10, 2026

History

1. Apr 14, 2026Approved by the Governor - Chapter 29
2. Apr 7, 2026Returned Passed
3. Apr 6, 2026Third Reading Passed
4. Mar 31, 2026Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
5. Mar 30, 2026Favorable Report by Finance
6. Mar 19, 2026Referred Finance
7. Mar 18, 2026Third Reading Passed
8. Mar 18, 2026Favorable Report by Judiciary
9. Mar 18, 2026Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
10. Feb 16, 2026Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.
11. Feb 13, 2026First Reading Judiciary

Sponsors

• D. Jones · sponsor
• Addison
• Boafo
• Feldmark
• Foley
• Forbes
• Guzzone
• Hill
• Kaiser
• Lehman
• Lopez
• McCaskill
• Palakovich Carr
• Phillips
• Ruff
• Shetty
• Smith
• Solomon
• Spiegel
• Stewart
• Taveras
• Terrasa
• Toles
• Watson
• Wilkins

And 4 more cosponsors.

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

Similar bills in other states

Loading the map of where bills like this one were filed.

Topics

Share