A new bill targeting FGM/C was introduced to the Hawaii Legislature in January 2023, however, it failed to pass.

In January 2023, SB 131 was introduced to the Hawaii legislature and subsequently carried over into the 2024 session. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Stanley Cheng, Angus L. K. McKelvy, Karl Rhoades, Michelle N. Kidani, and Tim Richards. Unfortunately, the bill never progressed any further.

The bill outlined prohibited acts related to FGM/C as a person knowingly or intentionally circumcising, excising, or infibulating “the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of another person,” or a parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person allowing such acts. The bill made FGM/C a Class B felony under Hawaii state law, with a prison sentence of between five and ten years for those found guilty.

The proposed bill also contained a number of praiseworthy additional elements, including that it:

• Established mandatory reporting requirements regarding alleged survivors or people at risk of FGM for health professionals, law enforcement, and social workers;
• Called for the collection and reporting of statistics on FGM cases;
• Stated that “custom, ritual, or religious practice” or consent of the child are not a defense to prosecution;
• Included a provision on vacation cutting, such that travel for the purpose of performing FGM/C is punishable under the statute.

It is, however, important to note that the definition of FGM/C under the bill did not encompass FGM/C Type 4 or cutting of the clitoral hood. As such, future bills should amend their definition in line with that of the World Health Organization, which covers all forms of FGM/C.

Equality Now urges that a new, more comprehensive bill on FGM/C be introduced and passed into Hawaii law, such that all those who have undergone or are at risk of the harmful practice can be effectively protected. 

A new bill strengthening existing FGM/C legislation was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in March 2024.

In February 2024, HB 5662 was introduced to amend the current law on FGM/C. The bill added the phrase “or a person in a position of trust in relation to a child” to the list of people who can be prosecuted for allowing FGM/C to occur. The bill passed in March, and went into effect on June 5th.

The passage of this bill is a welcome step forward, however, a more comprehensive approach is still needed to respond effectively to FGM/C in West Virginia. This should include strengthened language and the addition of more progressive elements to the existing law. For example, as well as prohibiting FGM/C, the law should include provisions for sustained outreach and education, prevention, survivor services, and multi-sectoral stakeholder training. It must also prohibit the transport of women and girls for the purpose of FGM/C or “vacation-cutting.” Finally, the statute should apply to all women and girls, not just those under the age of 18.

Equality Now welcomes the passage of this bill in West Virginia, while advocating for the future inclusion of additional comprehensive provisions necessary to address FGM/C in the state and positively impact all those who have undergone or are at risk of FGM/C.