MGM Bill Submitted to U.S. Congress and State Legislators

Today, all across the country, the proposed MGM Bill was sent to various State and U.S. legislators, as well as every sitting member of the 111th U.S. Congress and President Obama.

Headway has been made in MA as The State of Massachusetts MGM Bill is now in the hands of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary where it will be scheduled for public hearing and committee vote.

It was an honor to be a part of something so vitally important to human rights in our country. While the MGM Bill was 'officially' submitted today, you can, at any time, send/fax/email letters of support to your state's senators, delegates, and various appointed persons in U.S. office. Working together we can reach a drastically needed change in this nation. One that will follow suit with the rest of the world in granting equal rights under law to both boys and girls when it comes to protection from genital cutting without medical necessity.

If you've never read an MGM Bill proposal before, you can take a look at the one which was submitted to my current state of residence, Maryland. At the bottom of this post, you can also read the U.S. MGM Bill.

If you feel so inclined, you can even copy/paste/change the name/info and email it to YOUR state's legislators or U.S. Congress members. Find the MGM Bill for your particular state here and learn more about the bill proposal process at MGMBill.org.

MGMBill.org

Maryland State Office • 3560 Malvern St 301 • Waldorf, MD 20603

Phone: (***) ***-**** • E-mail: ********@mgmbill.org • www.mgmbill.org

January 11, 2010

Dear __title & name of legislator___,

Enclosed is a proposed bill that would protect infant boys in Maryland from forced circumcision. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the prepuce organ (foreskin), a functional zone of nerves, smooth muscle, skin, immunological glands and tissue that protect the penis and contains more sensory nerve endings than any other body part. Each year, more than one million American boys are subjected to this medically unnecessary and damaging surgery without their consent.

Global condemnation of nonconsensual male circumcision is growing louder. Amputation of the prepuce is so harmful that this summer the chairman of the Swedish Pediatric Surgeons Association compared male circumcision to female genital mutilation and regarded it as “an assault”. In South Africa, a High Court judge ruled in October that circumcision without consent was illegal and went against an individual’s constitutional rights. The Australian Association of Pediatric Surgeons issued a statement that the amputation of the prepuce is a violation of an individual's human rights and should not be performed on an infant or child until he is old enough to make the decision for himself regarding circumcision surgery and the amputation or retention of his prepuce. In the U.K., a 20-year old man filed suit in November against the physician who forcefully circumcised him as an infant, and won his case.

Forced circumcision has also been coming under intense criticism here in the USA. In March, The Washington Post focused national attention on a group of intactivists who marched outside the halls of Congress and the White House. Their demand was simple and straightforward: that boys be given the same legal protection from forced genital cutting as girls.

A North Carolina court seemed to agree with that demand in September when it convicted a father of child abuse for circumcising his two infant sons for religious reasons. And Massachusetts is now considering a bill (S. 1777) that would prohibit forced genital cutting of boys.

The enclosed MGM Bill proposal would protect all boys in Maryland from being circumcised for medically unnecessary reasons. Will you please help give boys and men the equal protection that they deserve by sponsoring this bill?

Sincerely,

THE STATE OF MARYLAND BILL TEXT

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning

Genital Mutilation

FOR the purpose of amending a certain provision that prohibits female genital mutilation by adding prohibitions against male and intersex genital mutilation; imposing and increasing certain penalties; defining certain terms; establishing certain programs; and generally relating to genital mutilation.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article - Health-General

Section 20-601

Annotated Code of Maryland

BY repealing

Article - Health-General

Section 20-602 and 20-603

Annotated Code of Maryland

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article – Health-General

(a) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Maryland State Prohibition of Genital Mutilation Act."

SECTION 2. The General Assembly hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Genital mutilation is an extreme form of child abuse and a violation of people’s basic human rights. Genital mutilation is a medically unnecessary modification of the genitalia which for girls typically occurs at about seven years of age, but is known to be practiced any time between infancy and puberty. For boys, genital mutilation typically occurs within eight days of birth, but is known to be practiced any time between infancy and twenty years of age. Genital mutilation for girls involves the excision of a young girl's clitoris and other parts of the external genitalia. The most extreme form of this mutilation, known as infibulation, also involves the sewing together of the two sides of the vulva, leaving only a small opening for the passage of menstrual blood and urine. Genital mutilation for boys involves the excision of a young boy’s foreskin, which includes the ridged band of nerves and usually the frenulum. Boys whose foreskins are left intact are often subjected to premature forcible foreskin retraction, which can cause bleeding, scarring of the glans, and other problems. For intersex individuals (those born with ambiguous or hermaphroditic genitalia), genital mutilation typically occurs in hospitals shortly after birth, when the attending physician performs “sex assignment” surgery to make the child fit into the category of boy or girl, rather than intersex.

(b) Female genital mutilation is known to be practiced in 28 nations in the African continent, in a few countries in the Arab Peninsula, among some minority communities in Asia, and among migrants from these areas who have settled in Europe, Australia, and North America. This practice has come to the United States with the influx of recent immigrant groups from countries that practice female genital mutilation. In addition to the countries where female genital mutilation is practiced, male genital mutilation is widely practiced in the United States, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and the Middle East, and is more widespread than female genital mutilation. Statistics on intersex genital mutilation are not as well documented, but in the United States it is not uncommon for an attending medical practitioner to perform genital mutilation on intersex infants. The Intersex Society of North America estimates that the number of “normalizing” genital mutilations is roughly 1 or 2 per 1,000 births, with approximately 1 in 1,666 births being classified as intersexed.

(c) Genital mutilation constitutes a major health risk to all people, with lifelong physical, psychological, and human rights consequences. Complications due to female genital mutilation include shock, hemorrhage, infection, tetanus and septicemia from unsterilized instruments, bladder infection, and even death. Long-term complications include sexual dysfunction, chronic vaginal and uterine infections, severe pain during urination, menstruation, and sexual intercourse, obstetric complications due to obstruction of the birth canal by scar tissue, and lifelong psychological trauma. For the obstructed infant, labor can lead to brain damage or death. Complications due to male genital mutilation include hemorrhage, infection, excessive skin loss, skin bridges, glans deformation, bowing, meatal stenosis, loss of penis, and death. Long term complications include sexual dysfunction, loss of sexual sensitivity, increased friction and pain during sexual intercourse, and lifelong psychological trauma. The complications of intersex genital mutilation are similar to, and may be even more traumatic than, the complications of female and male genital mutilation.

(d) This 4,000-year-old cultural practice is not a requirement of any major religion. According to the World Health Organization, most families allow their daughters to undergo female genital mutilation out of fear that no man will want to marry an "uncircumcised" woman and that she will be ostracized from the community. Further, some women believe that clitoridectomy or infibulation are not only more hygienic, but will also increase a woman's fertility. In some tribes, infibulation is performed to protect family lineage through ensuring that wives are virgins at marriage and that the children are verifiably the men's descendants. For boys, circumcision is encouraged so that boys will look like others in their community, so they will look the same as their father, and so they will have a penis that is perceived to be more hygienic. In religious circumcisions, male genital mutilation is typically encouraged as a “covenant of blood”, and as a way to predetermine the religion of the child. To the extent that intersex children are circumcised for religious reasons, quite often it is based on whether the child is perceived to be “more male” or “more female”.

(e) The World Health Organization, which urges the elimination of female genital mutilation, estimates that 2,000,000 girls undergo female genital mutilation each year. Worldwide, approximately 128,000,000 girls and women, now living, have been subject to the procedure. The National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males estimates that 13,000,000 boys undergo male genital mutilation each year. Worldwide, approximately 650,000,000 boys and men, now living, have been subject to the procedure. As stated in section (b), The Intersex Society of North America estimates the number of genital mutilations at roughly 1 or 2 per 1,000 births.

(f) It is time for this state to join with genital integrity and human rights organizations to condemn this harmful and outdated procedure. The state must take a proactive role to prevent these mutilations through education and outreach activities to make all state citizens aware of Maryland laws, standards, and expectations for child protection. Heightened awareness among child protective services workers, health care providers, educators, and law enforcement personnel will also aid in achieving this end. Finally, criminal investigations and prosecutions should be carried out, when necessary, to send a strong message that Maryland abhors this practice and views its abolition as paramount to the health and welfare of these young children.

SECTION 3. Subtitle 6 (Female Genital Mutilation) of Title 20 (Miscellaneous Health Provisions) of Maryland Health-General Code is amended to read:

§ 20-601. Genital Mutilation

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly circumcises, excises, cuts, or mutilates the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vulva, breasts, nipples, foreskin, glans, testicles, penis, ambiguous genitalia, hermaphroditic genitalia, or genital organs of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult; whoever prematurely and forcibly retracts the penile or clitoral prepuce of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult, except to the extent that the prepuce has already separated from the glans; whoever knowingly assists with or facilitates any of these acts; or whoever arranges, plans, aids, abets, counsels, facilitates, or procures a genital mutilation operation on another person outside the State of Maryland who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult outside the State of Maryland shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 14 years, or both.

(b) A surgical operation is not a violation of this section if the operation is (1) performed on a person who has not attained the age of 18 years and is necessary to the physical health of the person on whom it is performed because of a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a medical practitioner; (2) performed on an adult who is physically unable to give consent and there is a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a medical practitioner; or (3) performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth because of a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place it is performed as a medical practitioner, midwife, or person in training to become such a practitioner or midwife.

(c) In applying subsection (b), 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 matter of custom or ritual.

(d) DEFINITIONS. -- For purpose of this Act, the term "genital mutilation" means the removal or cutting (or both) of the whole or part of the clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, vulva, breasts, nipples, foreskin, glans, testicles, penis, ambiguous genitalia, hermaphroditic genitalia, or genital organs. The term "premature forcible retraction of the penile or clitoral prepuce" means forced retraction of the prepuce from the glans, except to the extent that the prepuce has already separated from the glans. The term "prepuce" means foreskin. The term "adult" means a person who has attained the age of 18 years. The term "nonconsenting" means not wishing to undergo genital mutilation.

SECTION 4. The State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the appropriate state and federal agencies or departments, shall establish and implement appropriate education, preventative, and outreach activities, focusing on the new immigrant populations that traditionally practice female genital mutilation, on hospitals that traditionally practice male and intersex genital mutilation, and on religious groups that traditionally practice male genital mutilation, for the purpose of informing members of those communities of the health risks and emotional trauma inflicted by this practice and informing those communities and the medical community of the prohibition and ramifications of this Act.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Genital Mutilation Prohibition Act

IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

---------------------------------------------------------------

A Bill

Entitled the "Federal Prohibition of Genital Mutilation Act of 2010"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, to amend the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1996 (a) so that boys, intersex individuals, and nonconsenting adults may also be protected from genital mutilation; (b) to increase the maximum punishment of offense to 14 years imprisonment, (c) to include assistance or facilitation of genital mutilation of children or nonconsenting adults as an offense, and (d) to prohibit persons in the U.S. from arranging or facilitating genital mutilation of children and nonconsenting adults in foreign countries.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Federal Prohibition of Genital Mutilation Act of 2010".

SECTION 2. TITLE 18 AMENDMENT

(A) IN GENERAL.--Title 18, Part I, Chapter 7, Section 116 of the United States Code is amended by revising the text to read as follows:

"116. GENITAL MUTILATION

"(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), whoever knowingly circumcises, excises, cuts, or mutilates the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vulva, breasts, nipples, foreskin, glans, testicles, penis, ambiguous genitalia, hermaphroditic genitalia, or genital organs of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult; whoever prematurely and forcibly retracts the penile or clitoral prepuce of another person who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult, except to the extent that the prepuce has already separated from the glans; whoever knowingly assists with or facilitates any of these acts; or whoever arranges, plans, aids, abets, counsels, facilitates, or procures a genital mutilation operation on another person outside the United States who has not attained the age of 18 years or on any nonconsenting adult outside the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 14 years, or both.

"(b) A surgical operation is not a violation of this section if the operation is (1) performed on a person who has not attained the age of 18 years and is necessary to the physical health of the person on whom it is performed because of a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a medical practitioner; (2) performed on an adult who is physically unable to give consent and there is a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place of its performance as a medical practitioner; or (3) performed on a person in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth because of a clear, compelling, and immediate medical need with no less-destructive alternative treatment available, and is performed by a person licensed in the place it is performed as a medical practitioner, midwife, or person in training to become such a practitioner or midwife.

"(c) In applying subsection (b), 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 matter of custom or ritual.

(B) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.--The table of sections at the beginning of Chapter 7 of Title 18, Part I, of the United States Code, is amended by revising Section 116 to read "116. Genital mutilation."

SECTION 3. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION REGARDING GENITAL MUTILATION

(A) IN GENERAL. -- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall carry out the following activities:

(1) Compile data on the number of persons of all sexes living in the United States who have been subjected to genital mutilation (whether in the United States or in their countries of origin), including a specification of the number of children under the age of 18 who have been subjected to such mutilation.

(2) Identify communities in the United States that practice genital mutilation, and design and carry out outreach activities to educate individuals in the communities on the physical and psychological effects of such practice. Such outreach activities shall be designed and implemented in collaboration with representatives of the ethnic groups practicing such mutilation and with representatives of organizations with expertise in preventing such practice.

(3) Develop recommendations for the education of students of schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine regarding genital mutilation and complications arising from such mutilation, as well as complications arising from premature forcible retraction of the prepuce. Such recommendations shall be disseminated to such schools.

(B) IN GENERAL. -- The President shall carry out the following activities:

(1) Seek to end the practice of genital mutilation worldwide through the active cooperation and participation of governments in countries where genital mutilation takes place.

(2) Steps to end the practice of genital mutilation should include--

(a) encouraging nations to establish clear policies against genital mutilation and enforcing existing laws which prohibit it;

(b) assisting nations in creating culturally appropriate outreach programs that include education and counseling about the dangers of genital mutilation to people of all ages; and

(c) ensuring that all appropriate programs in which the United States participates include a component pertaining to genital mutilation, so as to ensure consistency across the spectrum of health and child related programs conducted in any country in which genital mutilation is known to be a problem.

(C) DEFINITIONS. -- For purpose of this Act, the term "genital mutilation" means the removal or cutting (or both) of the whole or part of the clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, vulva, breasts, nipples, foreskin, glans, testicles, penis, ambiguous genitalia, hermaphroditic genitalia, or genital organs. The term "premature forcible retraction of the penile or clitoral prepuce" means forced retraction of the prepuce from the glans, except to the extent that the prepuce has already separated from the glans. The term "prepuce" means foreskin. The term "adult" means a person who has attained the age of 18 years. The term "nonconsenting" means not wishing to undergo genital mutilation.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATES

Section 2 of this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act. Section 3 of this Act shall take effect immediately after the date of the enactment of this Act, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the President shall commence carrying it out not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.