ConnecticutSB 002592026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT CONCERNING FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Sponsored By: Judiciary Committee

Signed by Governor

Summary

To (1) establish the crime of female genital mutilation, (2) allow for testimony outside of the courtroom for victims twelve years of age or younger, (3) prohibit a witness who is a victim of female genital mutilation from being automatically adjudged incompetent due to age, (4) authorize a civil action by a victim, (5) abrogate immunity between a parent and child if the action is brought by the child against the parent, and (6) allow such actions within thirty years from the victim attaining the age of eighteen years.

judiciary

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More legal options for genital mutilation survivors

Beginning October 1, 2026, people harmed by a violation can sue the perpetrator in Superior Court where they live. Courts can award money for losses, punitive damages, or other appropriate relief; no award amount is guaranteed. Parent-child immunity cannot block these claims, including cases brought by a child or on a child's behalf against a parent. For personal-injury cases involving genital mutilation before age 18, the deadline is 30 years after the person turns 18. That deadline applies to covered cases filed on or after October 1, 2026, despite the otherwise applicable limitation period.

New protections against child genital mutilation

Beginning October 1, 2026, Connecticut makes knowingly performing female genital mutilation on anyone under 18 a class D felony. This covers cutting, removing, or closing all or part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris. Exceptions cover operations needed for health or a medical purpose, performed by licensed physicians or other licensed professionals within their scope. A separate exception covers medical operations related to labor or birth while the person is in labor or has just given birth. Authorized providers include licensed physicians, nurse-midwives, their trainees, and other licensed health professionals acting within their scope. Custom or ritual does not establish a health need or medical purpose. Courts can let child witnesses age 12 or younger testify outside the courtroom in covered prosecutions, including genital mutilation cases. The judge is present, and testimony is televised by closed circuit or recorded for later viewing. Room attendance is limited, with controls on entering and leaving. Courts can exclude defendants upon clear and convincing evidence of intimidation or harm to reliable testimony, but defendants must see and hear testimony. Children can have a familiar adult nearby and use anatomically correct dolls; lawyers must question them from a table without intimidation. Children who testify this way do not have to testify again in court in that proceeding. Age alone cannot disqualify any witness. Child victims of genital mutilation, assault, sexual assault, or abuse can testify without a prior competency screening; the fact-finder judges credibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Judiciary Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Aimee Berger-Girvalo

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Morrin Bello

    Democratic • House

  • Aundre Bumgardner

    Democratic • House

  • Craig C. Fishbein

    Republican • House

  • Devin R. Carney

    Republican • House

  • Dominique Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Donna Veach

    Republican • House

  • Eleni Kavros DeGraw

    Democratic • House

  • Gary A. Turco

    Democratic • House

  • Heather S. Somers

    Republican • Senate

  • Hector Arzeno

    Democratic • House

  • Iris N Sanchez

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Leeper

    Democratic • House

  • John A. Kissel

    Republican • Senate

  • Josh Elliott

    Democratic • House

  • Julie Kushner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kate Farrar

    Democratic • House

  • Kathy Kennedy

    Republican • House

  • Kenneth Gucker

    Democratic • House

  • Kurt Vail

    Republican • House

  • Larry Pemberton

    Democratic • House

  • Laurie Sweet

    Democratic • House

  • Martha Marx

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mary M. Mushinsky

    Democratic • House

  • Michael D. Quinn

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholas Menapace

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Klarides-Ditria

    Republican • House

  • Patricia Billie Miller

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Cicarella

    Republican • Senate

  • Sarah Keitt

    Democratic • House

  • Steven J. Stafstrom

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Winter

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Nuccio

    Republican • House

  • Tina Courpas

    Republican • House

  • Tony Hwang

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 130

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2026

House Roll Call Vote 121

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/24/2026

JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    5/7/2026legislature
  2. Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor

    5/4/2026legislature
  3. Transmitted to the Secretary of State

    5/4/2026legislature
  4. Public Act 26-5

    4/30/2026legislature
  5. In Concurrence

    4/28/2026legislature
  6. House Passed

    4/28/2026House
  7. House Calendar Number 482

    4/22/2026House
  8. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House

    4/22/2026House
  9. Senate Passed

    4/21/2026Senate
  10. File Number 586

    4/13/2026legislature
  11. Senate Calendar Number 379

    4/13/2026Senate
  12. Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

    4/13/2026Senate
  13. Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office

    4/13/2026legislature
  14. Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/13/26 12:00 PM

    4/6/2026legislature
  15. Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office

    3/25/2026legislature
  16. Joint Favorable Substitute

    3/24/2026legislature
  17. Public Hearing 03/02

    2/26/2026legislature
  18. Referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary

    2/19/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Public Act No. 26-5

    4/30/2026

  • File No. 586

    4/13/2026

  • Raised Bill

    2/19/2026

  • Bill Analysis For File Copy 586

  • Fiscal Note For File Copy 586

  • House Roll Call Vote 121

  • JUD Joint Fav. Rpt

  • JUD Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 130

  • Summary for Public Act No. 26-5

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