Washington statute
RCW 9A.36.170 — Female genital mutilation—Minors
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.36: Assault—Physical Harm, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.36.170
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person is guilty of female genital mutilation when the person knowingly:
(a) Commits female genital mutilation on a minor; or
(b) Transports a minor, or causes or permits the transport of a minor, for the purpose of the performance of female genital mutilation on the minor.
(2) Female genital mutilation is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) A medical procedure is not a violation of this section if it is performed by a licensed health care provider and is necessary to the health of the minor.
(4) It is not a defense to a violation of this section that a person believes the person's actions were conducted as a matter of culture, custom, religion, or ritual, or that the minor on whom female genital mutilation was performed consented to female genital mutilation, or that the minor's parent or guardian consented to female genital mutilation.
(5) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Female genital mutilation" has the meaning provided in RCW 9A.36.175; and
(b) "Minor" means any person under the age of 18.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is female genital mutilation a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Female genital mutilation is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9A.36.170.
Which Washington statute covers female genital mutilation?
Female genital mutilation is governed by RCW 9A.36.170 (Female genital mutilation—Minors).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.