Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 708.16 — Female genital mutilation
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 708: Assault, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 708.16
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person who knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates, in whole or in part, the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of a minor commits a class “D” felony.
2. A surgical procedure is not a violation of subsection 1 if the procedure is performed by a medical professional who holds a current license in this state necessary to perform the surgical procedure under any of the following circumstances:
a. When necessary to protect the health of the minor on whom the procedure is performed.
b. When performed on a minor who is in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth.
3. In determining whether a surgical procedure performed pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “a”, is a violation of subsection 1, consideration shall not be given to any belief the minor or any other person holds that the surgical procedure is required based on custom or ritual.
4. A person who knowingly transports a minor within or outside of this state for the purpose of performing a procedure that would be a violation of subsection 1 if the procedure occurred in this state, commits a class “D” felony.
Official sources
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