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