Protect Children’s Innocence Act

This bill, known as the "Protect Children's Innocence Act," significantly amends section 116 of title 18, United States Code, to establish federal prohibitions against certain medical procedures performed on minors. It specifically targets genital and bodily mutilation and chemical castration of individuals under 18 years of age, making such acts federal crimes punishable by fines and up to 10 years imprisonment. The legislation broadly defines "genital or bodily mutilation" to include female genital mutilation (FGM) and a wide range of surgeries intended to alter a minor's body to align with a sex different from their biological sex. These procedures encompass, but are not limited to, castration, hysterectomy, mastectomy, phalloplasty, vaginoplasty, and certain facial or body contouring surgeries. Similarly, "chemical castration" is defined as administering medications like puberty blockers, supraphysiologic testosterone to biological females, or supraphysiologic estrogen to biological males, when done for the purpose of changing a minor's biological sex. The bill establishes federal jurisdiction over these offenses if they involve interstate or foreign commerce, or occur within U.S. special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. It explicitly states that religious, customary, or traditional practices are not a defense for FGM, and victims cannot be prosecuted. Crucially, the bill includes specific exceptions for procedures deemed necessary to the health of the minor and performed by a licensed medical practitioner. However, the definition of "health of a minor" explicitly excludes mental, behavioral, or emotional distress or disorders. Additional exemptions are provided for individuals with intersex conditions, those requiring treatment for complications from prior procedures, those in imminent danger of major bodily function impairment, or minors diagnosed with precocious puberty for normalization purposes.