Protecting Children from Unnecessary Sterilization and Genital Mutilation Procedures

In the near future, I will introduce legislation to protect minors from irreversible and non-therapeutic sterilization or genital mutilation procedures.

Background:

Pennsylvania law currently prohibits female genital mutilation (18 Pa.C.S.   3132) and defines certain consent standards for minors under the Minors’ Consent to Medical Care Act (35 P.S.   10101 et seq.) and Act 147 (35 P.S.    10101.1–10101.2). Federal law also bans FGM (18 U.S.C.   116). However, our statutes do not fully address sterilization or other non-therapeutic genital surgeries outside the narrow FGM context.

Summary:

This legislation will:
 

• Prohibit sterilization or genital mutilation procedures on minors unless medically necessary to treat a disease, injury, or congenital anomaly.
• Establish clear documentation and consent standards, consistent with existing Pennsylvania law, including medical necessity certification and informed parental consent.
• Provide civil remedies and criminal penalties similar to those for female genital mutilation under   3132.
• Preserve exceptions for urgent medical care, certain religious practices, and procedures necessary to protect a child’s immediate health.

Rationale:

Children deserve protection from irreversible procedures that compromise their bodily autonomy and may cause lifelong harm. This legislation closes gaps in current law while preserving physician discretion in urgent medical circumstances.

Please join me as a co-sponsor to this essential piece of legislation that will ensure our children will grow up as God intended. If you have questions, please contact my Chief of Staff, Don Beishl (dbeishl@pasen.gov), or my Legislative Director, Aaron Bashir (abashir@pasen.gov) in my office.