FILED ON: 5/2/2016

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2279

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act relative to female genital mutilation of minors.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 220 the following new section:-

Section 220A. For purposes of this section, “female genital mutilation” shall mean all procedures involving partial or total removal, excision, or infibulation of the female genitalia of a person  under the age of 18 but shall not include (a) installation of jewelry at the request of the person under the age of 18 or (b) a medical procedure performed by a health care provider, as defined in § 1 of this chapter, (i) when necessary to preserve or protect the physical health of the patient or (ii) for sex reassignment as requested by the patient. The commissioner shall develop and administer an outreach program designed to educate and prevent the practice female genital mutilation. The program shall be designed to provide information and education about the health risks and emotional trauma inflicted by the practice of female genital mutilation. The commissioner shall work with culturally appropriate groups to obtain private funds to help finance these prevention and outreach activities.