A bill banning female genital mutilation, or FGM, is making its way through the legislature. FGM is the procedure of removing part or all of the external female genital organs for cultural and non medical reasons, and is often practiced on children. House Bill 1089 makes it a class four felony. FGM is already a federal crime, but supporters of the bill say it’s important to have another layer of protection. Amy Wilson is with Family Heritage Alliance.
“One of the reasons is education is not getting out and the law is not being enforced, federally,” Wilson says. “So the more strength, stronger laws you can have, the more protection you’re going to have for these ladies. Because law enforcement and different areas of government have not focused on showing people what to look for. And so it’s not being surfaced enough to really identify. So the more layers you can have is better for the protection of each individual.”
Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill, sending it to the House floor.