1-1 By: Giddings, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 91 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 1999; 1-3 May 7, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal 1-4 Justice; May 14, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote: 1-5 Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 14, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to prohibiting female genital mutilation; imposing a 1-9 penalty. 1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-11 SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is 1-12 amended by adding Chapter 166 to read as follows: 1-13 CHAPTER 166. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION 1-14 Sec. 166.001. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION PROHIBITED. (a) A 1-15 person commits an offense if the person knowingly circumcises, 1-16 excises, or infibulates any part of the labia majora or labia 1-17 minora or clitoris of another person who is younger than 18 years 1-18 of age. 1-19 (b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. 1-20 (c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) 1-21 that: 1-22 (1) the person performing the act is a physician or 1-23 other licensed health care professional and the act is within the 1-24 scope of the person's license; and 1-25 (2) the act is performed for medical purposes. 1-26 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-27 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-28 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-29 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-30 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-31 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 1-32 passage, and it is so enacted. 1-33 * * * * *