HB252 Summary

• Establishes the crime of female genital mutilation (FGM) under "The Dr. Groesbeck Parham Act," defined as removing, cutting, circumcising, excising, infibulating, or performing other harmful procedures on the female genitalia of persons under age 19 for non-medical purposes.

• Classifies committing FGM, knowingly allowing or directing another to commit FGM as a parent or guardian, or knowingly removing a minor from the state for FGM purposes as Class B felonies.

• Establishes that minors cannot consent to FGM and prohibits religious, cultural, customary, or consent-based defenses to FGM charges.

• Exempts medically necessary procedures performed by licensed physicians at medical facilities and procedures performed during labor or birth by licensed physicians or certified midwives.

• Becomes effective immediately upon passage and gubernatorial approval, and is excluded from Amendment 621 constitutional requirements as it defines a new crime.