By: Khushi Prakash
On March 10th, 2026, Maryland lawmakers, advocates, and survivors came together to share testimony on SB907/HB1289: Public Health – Female Genital Mutilation. This legislation would introduce more comprehensive protections for women and girls at risk for FGM/C. Specifically, this bill:
- Establishes criminal penalities for performing or facilitating FGM/C
- Makes vacation cutting illegal
- Allows survivors to pursue civil legal action
- Extends the statute of limitations
- Incorporates education and training for health care providers and educators while also providing community outreach and awareness efforts to prevent FGM/C.
At the hearings, in addition to testimony being heard by Lead Sponsors Delegate Jones and Senator Love, testimony was given by Karen McDonnell, a public health expert from George Washington University; Djessou Kouyate from the Inter-African Committee-USA; Susan Masling, a legal expert; Aleisa Myles, and Sarata Kande who shared their lived experiences as survivors ofFGM/C. The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault also testified in favor of the bills.
First, testimony was heard in the Senate in front of the finance committee, where it was evident that staff were moved by the lived experiences of survivors. Next, testimony was heard in the House in front of the Judiciary committee. This hearing saw strong engagement from delegates, who raised a range of questions to speakers, including the historical context of FGM/C, its relationship to religion, and current available educational resources. There was also discussion of potential extensions to the statute of limitations for civil actions, highlighting the interest in strengthening the bill.
Legislative Process
The bills progressed quickly following the March 10th hearings. As of March 31st, their current status is as follows:
- SB907 passed the third reading in the Senate Committee, with amendments and nine additional co-sponsors signing on.
- HB1389 passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and passed all three readings unanimously (133-0). It is now through committee and Second Reading in the Senate.
Next Steps
For the bill to advance, both the House and Senate must agree on the same version of the bill and provide final approval. Once passed by both chambers, the bill is sent to Governor Wes Moore, who can either sign it into law or veto it.
Delegate Dana Jones (D) is leading the process for HB1389 with support from 29 co-sponsors: Del. Linda Foley (D), Del. Anne Kaiser (D), Del. Julie Palakovich Carr (D), Del. Setphanie Smith (D), Del. Deni Taveras (D), Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D), Del. Natalie Ziegler (D), Del. Jackie Addison (D), Del. Catherine Forbes (D), Del. Mary Lehman (D), Del. Scott Phillips (D). Del. Jared Solomon (D), Del. Jen Terrasa (D), Del. Nicole Williams (D), Del. Adrian Boafo (D), Del. Pam Guzzone (D), Del. Lesley Lopez (D), Del. Malcolm Ruff (D), Del. Ryan Spiegel (D), Del. Karen Toles (D), Del. Sarah Wolek (D), Del. Jessica Feldmark (D), Del. Terri Hill (D), Del. Aletheia McCaskill (D), Del. Emily Shetty (D), Del. Vaughn Stewart (D), Del. Courtney Watson (D), and Del. Jamila Woods (D).
Senator Sara Love (D) is leading the process for SB907 with support from 10 additional co-sponsors: Sen. Stephen Hershey (R), Sen. Johnny Mautz (R), Sen Pamela Beidle (D), Sen. Carl Jackson (D), Sen. Justin Ready (R), Sen. Dawn Gile (D), Sen. Benjamin Kramer (D), Sen. Alonzo Washington, Sen. Antonio Hayes (D), Sen. Clarence Lame (D).
