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HB 6596

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Amy Morrin Bello and 35 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill criminalizes female genital mutilation on minors with penalties, closing state legal gaps in child protection against this harmful practice.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
#cosmeticmedicalprocedures #women
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Bill Summary · HB 6596

Legislative bill overview

HB 6596 is a Connecticut bill designed to criminalize and prevent female genital mutilation (FGM) within the state. The bill establishes legal prohibitions against performing, facilitating, or knowingly permitting FGM procedures on minors, with specified criminal penalties. It aligns Connecticut law with federal FGM prohibition statutes and similar state-level protections already enacted in other jurisdictions.

Why is this important

FGM is recognized by major health organizations including the WHO and CDC as a harmful practice with significant medical, psychological, and social consequences for affected individuals. An estimated 513,000 women and girls in the U.S. have experienced or are at risk for FGM, making this legislation a public health and child protection priority. Connecticut currently lacks explicit statutory language criminalizing FGM, creating a potential legal gap despite existing child abuse and assault statutes.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definitions: Debates may arise over what constitutes FGM under the bill, particularly regarding medical necessity exceptions or cultural sensitivity concerns, and whether the definition aligns with federal law and other states' approaches.
  • Enforcement and investigation: Questions about how law enforcement will identify cases, report obligations for healthcare providers, and whether adequate training exists for investigators handling culturally sensitive investigations.
  • Constitutionality and cultural liberty claims: Opponents may raise First Amendment (religious freedom) or parental rights arguments, though federal precedent and other state laws have generally upheld FGM bans as constitutional.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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