We are happy to share that on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, SB907 and HB1389 were signed into law in Maryland by Governor Wes Moore!
HB1289 and SB907 will introduce more in-depth protections for survivors of FGM/C and those who are at risk of undergoing this practice. These protections include:
- Establishing criminal penalties for performing or facilitating FGM/C
- Making vacation cutting illegal
- Allowing survivors to pursue civil legal action
- Extending the statute of limitations
- Incorporating education and training for health care providers and educators while also providing community outreach and awareness efforts to prevent FGM/C.
These bills were sponsored by Delegate Jones and Senator Love, and supported by advocates and activists from the DMV Coalition to End FGM/C. Throughout the legislative process, multiple coalition members gave testimony about how the bill would support survivors and provide necessary updates to existing FGM/C legislation in Maryland.
The journey of these bills to becoming laws began with a presentation at the 30th Annual Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) Conference in November 2025. Since then, the bills moved swiftly through the legislative process, passing hearings in both the House and Senate committees, and have now officially become law in Maryland.
Sahiyo is thrilled that these bills have made it through the legislative process, and we hope that this will held build momentum in other states to pass similar legislation on FGM/C.
