Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB1389: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2026
Altering the definition of "abuse" to include female genital mutilation for the purposes of a provision of law requiring certain persons to provide notice of suspected abuse or neglect of a child or make a written report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child; altering the actions regarding female genital mutilation in which a person is prohibited from engaging; increasing the penalties for a violation of certain provisions related to female genital mutilation; etc.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "abuse" to include female genital mutilation for the purposes of a provision of law requiring certain persons to provide notice of suspected abuse or neglect of a child or make a written report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child; altering the actions regarding female genital mutilation in which a person is prohibited from engaging; increasing the penalties for a violation of certain provisions related to female genital mutilation…
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation FOR the purpose of altering the definition of "abuse" to include female genital mutilation for the purposes of a provision of law requiring certain persons to provide notice of suspected abuse or neglect of a child or make a written report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child; altering the actions regarding female genital mutilation in which a person is prohibited from engaging; increasing the penalties for a violation of certain provisions related to female genital mutilation; requiring, under certain circumstances, a health occupations licensing board to revoke the license of an individual who commits a violation of certain provisions of this Act; authorizing an individual who is subject to female genital mutilation to bring a civil action for certain relief; requiring the Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with certain government agencies and public and private organizations, to develop, publish, and distribute certain educational materials regarding female genital mutilation; and generally relating to female genital mutilation. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article - Family Law Section 5-701(a) and 5-704 Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, Article - Family Law Section 5-701(b) Annotated Code of Maryland (2019 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER …