House and Senate legislation to impose stricter penalties for those convicted of performing female genital mutilation was signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder Tuesday.

The legislation -- House Bills 4636, 4637, 4639, 4641, 4642, 4661 and 4690, and Senate Bills 337, 338, 368, and 369 -- collectively make performing or assisting with female genital mutilation a state felony carrying a maximum of 15 years behind bars.

The package also requires increased public education on the topic and extends criminal and civil statutes of limitations on crimes related to female genital mutilation.

Another bill sponsored by Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, and signed into law Tuesday allows for a health professional's license or registration to be permanently revoked if convicted of female genital mutilation.

Performing or coordinating female genital mutilation procedures is already a federal felony carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

But lawmakers who sponsored the bills in the House and Senate were inspired to crack down harder on the crime after Detroit-area doctor Jumana Nagarwala was accused of performing female genital mutilation on two minors.

"This is really about mutilating girls and women," Sen. Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage, recently said on the Senate floor. "We really need to stand up for our girls and women."

In a Tuesday statement, Snyder said the bill is an important step forward towards eliminating the practice in Michigan and empowering victims.

"Those who commit these horrendous crimes should be held accountable for their actions, and these bills stiffen the penalties for offenders while providing additional support to victims," Snyder said.