Sponsors (45)
The bill strengthens federal protection of minors against non‑medical genital mutilation and chemical castration — including cross‑border enforcement — but does so in ways that may criminalize some providers and caregivers, create legal uncertainty for treatment of intersex and transgender youth, and increase federal enforcement costs.
Children and youth are federally protected from non‑medical genital or bodily mutilation and chemical castration because the bill creates federal criminal penalties and grants DOJ authority to pursue cross‑border facilitators and interstate arrangements.
Minors who undergo these procedures are not subject to arrest or prosecution under the law, reducing the risk that victims will be treated as criminal defendants.
Medically necessary procedures performed by licensed providers remain permitted under narrow medical exceptions, helping preserve access to urgent and clinically indicated care for minors when appropriate.
Healthcare workers, caregivers, and families who provide or facilitate gender‑affirming care risk criminal prosecution under the federal ban, which could reduce access to lawful, state‑permitted medical treatments for minors.
The law's rigid binary definitions of 'male'/'female' and 'biological sex' create legal uncertainty for clinicians treating intersex or transgender minors and may conflict with clinical judgment, potentially harming patients with complex medical needs.
Barring religious or cultural defenses removes an avenue of legal argument for defendants and may inflame tensions or lead to controversial enforcement in communities that practice traditional procedures.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates federal crimes (fines and up to 10 years prison) banning genital/bodily mutilation and chemical castration of minors, with narrow medical exceptions and defined jurisdiction rules.
Creates new federal crimes that make it illegal to perform or attempt genital or bodily mutilation of a minor, to chemically castrate a minor, to facilitate or consent to female genital mutilation (FGM) of a minor, or to transport a minor for FGM. Violations carry fines and up to 10 years in prison, with specific narrow medical and other exceptions and a rule that victims may not be arrested or prosecuted. Defines key terms (including an extensive list of procedures considered "genital or bodily mutilation," a list of drugs/therapies covered by "chemical castration," and definitions of biological sex), ties federal jurisdiction to interstate or foreign commerce and other federal venues, and removes religious-practice defenses for these acts. The bill also updates the Title 18 table of sections to reflect the change.
Introduced May 19, 2025 by Marjorie Taylor Greene · Last progress December 18, 2025