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HB 6548

AN ACT ELIMINATING THE PRACTICE OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Devin Carney

Connecticut bill criminalizes female genital mutilation with state-level enforcement, strengthening protections for minors beyond existing federal law.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health
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Bill Summary · HB 6548

Legislative bill overview

HB 6548 proposes to criminalize and eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) practices in Connecticut. The bill would establish legal prohibitions against performing, facilitating, or consenting to FGM procedures on minors, with enforcement mechanisms and potential penalties.

Why is this important

FGM is recognized internationally as a harmful practice with serious health consequences including infection, bleeding, complications in childbirth, and psychological trauma. While FGM is already illegal under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 116), state-level legislation creates additional enforcement tools, clearer local penalties, and explicit protection for vulnerable populations within Connecticut's jurisdiction.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and enforcement challenges: Defining what constitutes FGM versus legitimate medical procedures may require careful statutory language to avoid unintended consequences while remaining enforceable across diverse cultural contexts
  • Prosecutorial burden: Enforcement often requires community trust and reporting; aggressive prosecution without cultural competency training could strain relationships with affected communities
  • Existing federal coverage: Critics may question whether redundant state legislation is necessary given existing federal prohibitions, though supporters argue state laws provide additional deterrence and local enforcement capacity

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

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