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Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of female mutilation if the person:
(1) knowingly circumcises, excises or infibulates the whole or any part of the genitalia of a minor;
(2) is a parent of a minor and the parent knowingly consents or permits the circumcision, excision or infibulation of the whole or any part of the minor's genitalia; or
(3) knowingly removes or permits the removal of a minor from this Commonwealth for the purpose of circumcising, excising or infibulating, in whole or in part, the genitalia of the minor.
(b) Grading.--Female mutilation is a felony of the first degree.
(c) Exception.--The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply if the circumcision, excision or infibulation is:
(1) necessary to the health of the minor on whom it is performed and either is performed by a physician or is performed in the presence of a physician by a person in training to become a physician in accordance with the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L. 1109, No. 261), 1 known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, or the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L. 457, No. 112), 2 known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985; or
(2) performed on a minor in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical reasons connected with that labor or birth by a physician or in the presence of a physician by a person in training to become a physician in accordance with the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act or the Medical Practice Act of 1985.
(d) Custom or consent not a defense.--It shall not be a defense to a prosecution under this section that:
(1) the actor believed that the procedure was necessary or appropriate as a matter of custom, ritual or standard practice; or
(2) the minor upon whom the circumcision, excision or infibulation was performed consented to the procedure or that the minor's parent consented to the procedure.
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Minor.” A natural person who is a female under 18 years of age.
“Parent.” The term includes a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, guardian or custodian of the minor.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 3132. Female mutilation - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-18-pacsa-crimes-and-offenses/pa-csa-sect-18-3132/
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