2 California Lawmakers Introduce Bill That Would Block Bans On Circumcision
Written on July 20, 2011 by admin
Two California lawmakers have introduced a bill that would pre-empt local governments from passing laws banning male circumcision and limit the enacting of such legislation to the state.
Assemblyman Mike Gatto of Los Angeles said Thursday the bill came in response to recent efforts at the local level, including a November ballot measure to ban circumcision in San Francisco. A similar ban failed to make the ballot in Santa Monica.
San Franciscos measure would prohibit circumcision of males under the age of 18, making it a misdemeanor punishable by fine or jail.
If the measure is still on the ballot at election time, San Francisco would be the first city in the U.S. to hold a public vote on banning male circumcision.
I imagine that if one of these passes in one of those cities, then other cities might not be far behind, Gatto said. Its a divisive use of the municipal ballot box, and in this case I think its appropriate for government to step in and act to protect individual rights.
Proponents of the San Francisco ordinance have said the practice is a form of genital mutilation that is not necessary and potentially dangerous. They also have argued that parents should not be allowed to force a decision on a young child.
All human beings are equally protected under the Constitution from forced genital mutilation, said Lloyd Schofield, a San Francisco resident and the measures lead proponent.
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