The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1438 aims to prohibit female genital mutilation (FGM) by establishing it as a class D felony when performed on individuals under the age of eighteen. The bill specifies that a person is guilty of this offense if they knowingly circumcise, excise, or infibulate any part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris. However, there are exceptions outlined in subsection (b) where surgical operations may not be considered a violation if they are necessary for the health of the individual and performed by a licensed physician, or if they are related to labor or childbirth and performed by a licensed nurse-midwife or a physician in training. Importantly, the bill clarifies that operations based on cultural or ritual beliefs do not qualify as necessary for health or medical purposes.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and introduces new legal language to current statutes regarding the crime of FGM. The bill does not include any deletions from existing law but adds significant provisions to address the issue of FGM among minors, reinforcing the legal framework against such practices. The primary goal of the bill is to protect minors from harmful practices and to establish clear legal consequences for those who engage in FGM.