§ 20-82-301 — Awareness program established

The Department of Health shall: (1) Develop and administer a program of community education, prevention, and outreach activities to address the health risks and emotional trauma inflicted by the practice of unlawful female genital mutilation and to inform communities of the criminal penalties for committing unlawful female genital mutilation; (2) Develop and disseminate information regarding unlawful female genital mutilation, recognizing the risk factors associated with unlawful female genital mutilation, and the signs that a person may be a victim of unlawful female genital mutilation, and the criminal penalties for committing unlawful female genital mutilation to teachers, and law enforcement personnel, and ensuring their awareness and compliance with the provisions of this section; (3) Develop policies and procedures to promote partnerships between departments, agencies, and political subdivisions, including without limitation the Department of Human Services and Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, and other governmental entities and nongovernmental organizations to prevent unlawful female genital mutilation and to protect and provide assistance to victims of unlawful female genital mutilation; (4) Outline best practices for responses to victims of unlawful female genital mutilation; and (5) Develop policies and procedures for the training of providers of health services: (A) Regarding best practices for responses to victims of unlawful female genital mutilation; and (B) To recognize: (i) The risk factors associated with unlawful female genital mutilation; (ii) The signs that an individual may be a victim of unlawful female genital mutilation; and (iii) The criminal penalties for committing unlawful female genital mutilation. This section was originally enacted as section 20-82-101.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2019, No. 556,§ 6, eff. 3/26/2019.