1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to prohibiting female genital mutilation; imposing a
 1-3     penalty.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Chapter 166 to read as follows:
 1-7                   CHAPTER 166. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
 1-8           Sec. 166.001.  FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PROHIBITED.  (a)  A
 1-9     person commits an offense if the person knowingly circumcises,
1-10     excises, or infibulates any part of the labia majora or labia
1-11     minora or clitoris of another person who is younger than 18 years
1-12     of age.
1-13           (b)  An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
1-14           (c)  It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)
1-15     that:
1-16                 (1)  the person performing the act is a physician or
1-17     other licensed health care professional and the act is within the
1-18     scope of the person's license; and
1-19                 (2)  the act is performed for medical purposes.
1-20           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-21     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-22     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-23     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-24     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-1     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-2     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 91 was passed by the House on May 5,
         1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 91 was passed by the Senate on May
         26, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor