I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3247
To amend title 18, United States Code, to carry out certain obligations
of the United States under the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights by prohibiting the practice of female circumcision, and
for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 7, 1993
Mrs. SCHROEDER (for herself and Miss COLLINS of Michigan) introduced the
following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on the Judici-
ary and Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to carry out certain
obligations of the United States under the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by prohibiting
the practice of female circumcision, and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Prohibition
of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. TITLE 18 AMENDMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the follow-
ing new section:
‘‘§ 116. Female genital mutilation
‘‘(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever
knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates the whole or
any part of the labia majora or labia minora or clitoris
of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
5 years, or both.
‘‘(b) A surgical operation is not a violation of this
section if the operation is—
‘‘(1) necessary to the health of the person on
whom it is performed, and is performed by a person
licensed in the place of its performance as a medical
practitioner; or
‘‘(2) performed on a person in labor or who has
just given birth and is performed for medical pur-
poses connected with that labor or birth by a person
licensed in the place it is performed as a medical
practitioner, midwife, or person in training to be-
come such a practitioner or midwife.
‘‘(c) In applying subsection (b)(1), no account shall
be taken of the effect on the person on whom the operation
is to be performed of any belief on the part of that or
any other person that the operation is required as a mat-
ter of custom or ritual.
‘‘(d) Whoever knowingly denies to any person medical
care or services or otherwise discriminates against any
person in the provision of medical care or services, be-
cause—
‘‘(1) that person has undergone female cir-
cumcision, excision, or infibulation; or
‘‘(2) that person has requested that female cir-
cumcision, excision, or infibulation be performed on
any person;
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than
one year, or both.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of chapter 7 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
‘‘116. Female genital mutilation.’’.
SEC. 3. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
carry out appropriate education, preventive, and outreach
activities in communities that traditionally practice female
circumcision, excision, or infibulation, to inform people in
those communities about the health risks and emotional
trauma inflicted by those practices, and to inform them
and the medical community about the provisions of section
2 of this Act.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATES.
Section 3 of this Act shall take effect immediately,
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
commence carrying it out not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act. Section 2 of this Act
shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
Æ