Bill > HB2448

This bill establishes the offense of prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation (FGM) of a minor, defining FGM as any non-medical procedure that involves partial or total removal of or injury to the external female genitalia, including clitoridectomy, excision, infibulation, or other harmful procedures. It makes it a class B felony for any person to perform FGM on a minor, or for a parent, guardian, or custodian to consent to, aid, permit, or facilitate it, including removing a minor from the state for this purpose; however, exceptions exist for licensed healthcare providers performing FGM when medically necessary for the minor's physical health, during labor or after childbirth, or as part of gender-affirming care requested by the individual. The bill also creates civil remedies for victims, allowing them to sue for damages, including actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, and requiring the award of attorneys' fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff, with a ten-year statute of limitations for civil actions starting either from the date of the act or until the victim's eighteenth birthday. Furthermore, it mandates that FGM is a reportable offense for those required to report child abuse and clarifies that the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution does not begin until the victim turns eighteen or the violation is reported to law enforcement, whichever comes first.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2448&year=2026