Bill > S2279

This bill establishes civil and criminal penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM) of minors, defining FGM as any procedure that involves removing or altering the female genitalia of a person under 18 years old, with specific exceptions for jewelry insertion requested by the minor, or medical procedures deemed necessary by a healthcare provider to protect the patient's physical health or for sex reassignment as requested by the patient. The bill also mandates that the commissioner develop and run an outreach program to educate the public about the health risks and emotional trauma associated with FGM, and to seek private funding from culturally appropriate groups to support these prevention efforts.