SB 9 – Female Genital Mutilation/Clarify Prohibition 

Primary Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell), Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga)

Bill Summary

This bill would prohibit the mutilation of the genitals of a female under the age of 18.

This bill would make the following actions a Class C felony:

  • Knowingly circumcise, excise or infibulate the whole or or part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of another person under 18
  • For a parent or guardian to consent to these actions

Exemptions include the following:

  • If the surgical operation is necessary to the health of the person on whom it is preformed and it is performed by a licensed medical practitioner.
  • The operation is performed on a person in labor who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with labor. This must be preformed by a licensed medical practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or a person training to become a medical practitioner or certified nurse midwife.

 Bill Movement

Filed – January 1, 2019

Senate Committee Referrals:

  • Judiciary – Committee substitute passed March 9, 2019.
  • Rules –  passed March 20, 2019.

This bill passed the Senate on March 25, 2019, and will now move to the House.

House Committee Referrals:

House Committee Referrals:

  • Health – Passed July 11, 2019.
  • Rules
    • Passed – July 15, 2019

This bill will now move to the House floor.

This bill was amended on the House floor to change the effective date to October 1, 2019.

This bill passed the House with a vote of 116-0 on July 16, 2019.

The Governor signed this bill on August 1, 2019.

This bill will now become law.