{"data":{"id":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-260-4e","jurisdiction":"us-ma","citation":"Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 4E","heading":"Female genital mutilation; civil action","body":"Section 4E. (a) A victim of female genital mutilation pursuant to section 60 of chapter 265 may bring a civil action for female genital mutilation. The court may award actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief or any other appropriate relief. A prevailing plaintiff shall also be awarded attorney's fees and costs. Treble damages may be awarded on proof of actual damages if the defendant's acts were willful and malicious.\n(b) A civil action for female genital mutilation shall be commenced within 10 years of the acts alleged to have caused the injury; provided, however, the time limit for commencement of an action under this section shall be tolled for a child until the child attains the age of 18.","path":["Part III","Title V","Chapter 260"],"source_url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIII/TitleV/Chapter260/Section4E","current_through":"amendments passed before May 31, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T05:25:07Z","sha256":"e542d3d1dc119fd5cba505a110367838407ac9328e7902cfc121e983338d822b","source_id":"us-ma","stale":false,"prev":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-260-4d","next":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-260-4c1-2"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}