HB 139 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Female Genital Mutilation Amendments

HB 139 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting female genital mutilation (FGM), meaning prosecutors can pursue cases at any time regardless of when the offense occurred. It also repeals a requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services to create a community education program about FGM. The bill directly affects individuals who commit FGM and law enforcement by changing how these cases can be prosecuted. These changes amend Utah Code Section 76-1-301 to include FGM under offenses with no time limit for prosecution and remove the education program mandate. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 → Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 26, 2026

MINOR

The bill was amended to add a new cosponsor and update the final approval timestamp, while the core policy changes regarding female genital mutilation remain unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Added 'Cosponsor: Nicholeen P. Peck' to the list of bill sponsors.

Updated the final amendment timestamp from '1-27-26 4:24 PM' to '2-24-26 9:06 PM'.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2026 · House Feb 6, 2026

How they voted

25–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 29

Feb 20, 2026

D Democratic6

5 Yea 1

83% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

19 Yea 3

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 26, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Health and Human Services Committee]

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor