WASHINGTON STATE’s pending legislation that seeks to prohibit the barbaric Muslim practice of Female Genital Mutilation of young girls

HOUSE BILL 2190

AN ACT Relating to female genital mutilation; amending RCW 26.44.020; adding a new section to chapter 9A.36 RCW; creating a new section; and prescribing penalties.  

the entire bill here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2190.pdf

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 9A.36 RCW to read as follows:

 A person is guilty of female genital mutilation when any of the following occur:

 The person knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris;

 The parent, guardian, or other person legally responsible or charged with the care or custody of a female minor allows the  circumcision, excision, or infibulation, in whole or in part, of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris; or The person knowingly removes or causes or permits the removal of a female minor from this state for the purpose of circumcising, excising, or infibulating, in whole or in part, the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of such female.

HB 2190:  It shall NOT BE A DEFENSE to prosecution for a violation of this section that the conduct described in subsection (1) of this section is required as a MATTER OF CUSTOM, RITUAL,OR ‘RELIGIOUS’ PRACTICE, or that the minor on whom it is performed consented to the procedure, or the minor’s parent or legal guardian consented to the procedure.

If the prosecuting attorney has a reasonable belief that any person arrested or charged pursuant to this section is not a citizen or national of the United States, he or she shall report the information to the United States immigration and naturalization service in an expeditious manner. 

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Abuse or neglect” means sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or injury of a child by any person under circumstances which cause harm to the child’s health, welfare, or safety, excluding conduct permitted under RCW 9A.16.100; or the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for or providing care to the child. An abused child is a child who has been subjected to child abuse or neglect as defined in this section. 

Female genital mutilation under chapter 9A.36 RCW constitutes abuse. The belief that female genital mutilation is required as a matter of custom, ritual, or standard practice or consent to the conduct by the child on whom it is performed.

An estimated 130 million young girls have undergone sexual mutilation, mostly in Muslim countries, but now, apparently in Great Britain, Europe, and the USA, too.