Protecting girls and women from mutilation #billoftheday

This bill of the day hits on a more serious note and causes a real threat to the health and wellbeing of Mississippi’s women.

Senate Bill 2022, authored by Senator Angela Hill would prohibit the mutilation of the genitals of girls and young women, require providers to report any indication of the abuse and provide penalties for individuals found quilty of the crime.

The bill reads:

Providers’ duty to report mutilation. Any provider who discovers the mutilation of, or the threat of mutilation to, a female minor shall immediately report such mutilation or threatened mutilation to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and the law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the reporter believes the violation or threatened violation of this section occurred and provide written notice of such mutilation or threatened mutilation in writing within twelve (12) hours of the discovery thereof to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and the law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the reporter believes the violation or threatened violation of this section occurred.

It also holds responsible any person who mutilates or has any part in the arrangement and carrying out of mutilation and to find them guilty of a felony and sentenced to no less than 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. In addition to that, any physicians that do not report could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.