# Maryland HB 1389: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation

Maryland HB 1389, Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Dana Jones (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-14 (Approved by the Governor - Chapter 29); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1389-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 1389
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Public Health - Female Genital Mutilation
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-13
- Last action: 2026-04-14, Approved by the Governor - Chapter 29
- Sponsor: Dana Jones (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 28
- Subjects: Public Health, Family Law, Civil Actions and Procedures, Attorneys' Fees, Awareness and Outreach, Child Abuse and Neglect, Circuit Courts, Civil Actions -see also- Small Claims, Committees and Commissions, Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc., Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc., Damages, Health -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc., Health, Department of, Health Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations), Injury, Licenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; Permits, Minors -see also- Age of Majority; Youth, Notices, Penalties and Sentences -see also- Death Penalty, Pleas, Privacy, Public Information, Reports, Sexual Offenses, Statutes of Limitation, Victims -see also- Criminal Injuries Compensation, Women -see also- Gender
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 2 (179 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 5

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Right to sue for FGM harm: benefit, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, an FGM victim can sue in circuit court where the harm happened or where they live. Courts can award actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs, and expert fees, plus other relief. You must file by the later of 10 years after the violation or…
- FGM labeled child abuse; mandatory reports: benefit, medium. The law treats FGM as child abuse under Family Law. Starting October 1, 2026, health workers, police, teachers, and human service workers must report suspected child abuse. Make an oral report as soon as possible and a written report within 48 hours to the local department, with a copy to the local…
- Public reports and education on FGM: benefit, low. Starting October 1, 2026, the Health Department develops and shares culturally and linguistically appropriate FGM education materials with providers, police, schools, and the public. Beginning in 2027, by December 1 each year, the Department publishes a public report with de-identified data on FGM…
- License loss for FGM convictions: cost, high. Starting October 1, 2026, if a licensed health professional is convicted, pleads guilty or nolo contendere, or gets probation before judgment for an FGM offense, their board must revoke the license. This ends the person’s ability to practice in Maryland.
- Stronger criminal penalties for FGM on minors: cost, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, it is a crime to perform, try to perform, or plan FGM on anyone under 18. It is also illegal to take a minor out of Maryland for FGM. A parent or guardian who knowingly consents is guilty too. Penalties are a felony, up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Medi…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Dana Jones (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jackie Addison (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Adrian Boafo (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jessica Feldmark (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Linda Foley (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Catherine M. Forbes (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Pam Lanman Guzzone (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Terri L. Hill (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Anne R. Kaiser (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mary A. Lehman (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lesley J. Lopez (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Aletheia McCaskill (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Julie Palakovich Carr (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: N. Scott Phillips (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Malcolm P. Ruff (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Emily Shetty (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Stephanie Smith (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jared Solomon (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Ryan Spiegel (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Vaughn Stewart (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Deni Taveras (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jen Terrasa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Karen Toles (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Courtney Watson (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jheanelle K. Wilkins (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Nicole A. Williams (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Sarah Wolek (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jamila J. Woods (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Natalie Ziegler (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-06 | Senate | Third Reading Passed | pass | 46 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-18 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 133 | 0 | 3 |

## Actions (11)

- 2026-04-14: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 29
- 2026-04-07: Returned Passed (House)
- 2026-04-06: Third Reading Passed (46-0) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Favorable Report by Finance (Senate)
- 2026-03-19: Referred Finance (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Third Reading Passed (133-0) (House)
- 2026-03-18: Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-03-18: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House)
- 2026-02-16: Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-02-13: First Reading Judiciary (House)

## Bill text

- Enacted, 2026-04-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_29_hb1389t.pdf)
- Third Reading, 2026-03-18: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1389t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-02-13: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1389f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Enacted (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_29_hb1389t.pdf)
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1389t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb1389f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB1389-2026RS (as of 2026-10-11).