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Committee adopts substitute to remove statute of limitations for female genital mutilation offense
Summary
The committee adopted and favorably recommended a substituted HB 139 that removes the statute of limitations for female genital mutilation and retains criminal penalties; sponsors said the change closes a gap identified after the 2023 felony designation.
Sponsors presented HB 139 and a substitute combining measures to strengthen protections for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM). The original 2023 legislation made FGM a second‑degree felony; sponsors said the substitute removes a statute of limitations that would otherwise require prosecution within four years, a timeframe that often prevents prosecutions when offenses occur in childhood. The substitute also reallocated a small education line item related to outreach.
Committee members adopted the substitute and then favorably recommended the substituted bill to the House floor by unanimous voice vote.
