Texas Bill on FGM H.B. No. 91
By Giddings, Thompson, Chavez, Clark

(STATUS: PASSED)

76R996 DLF-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting female genital mutilation; imposing a penalty.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 166 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 166. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Sec. 166.001. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates any part of the labia majora or labia minora or clitoris of another person who is younger than 18 years of age.

(b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.

(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that:

(1) the person performing the act is a physician or other licensed health care professional and the act is within the scope of the person's license; and

(2) the act is performed for medical purposes.

SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an emergency and an imperative public necessity that the constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its passage, and it is so enacted.