{"data":{"id":"us-ia/iowa-code-708.16","jurisdiction":"us-ia","citation":"Iowa Code § 708.16","heading":"Female genital mutilation.","body":"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.\n2. 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:\na. When necessary to protect the health of the minor on whom the procedure is performed.\nb. 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.\n3. 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.\n4. 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.","path":["Title XVI - CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE (Ch. 687 - 916)","Chapter 708 - ASSAULT"],"source_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/708.16.pdf","current_through":"Iowa Code 2026 edition","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:40:17Z","sha256":"0da7d9e5fd61a1fe4fcd089110730704992841b8383881be5b7bc101ba891a19","source_id":"us-ia","stale":false,"prev":"us-ia/iowa-code-708.15","next":"us-ia/iowa-code-708a.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}