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Panel To Mull Plan To Prohibit Female Genital Mutilation

Associated Press0

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A state House committee is expected to review a proposal that would ban female genital mutilation in South Dakota.

The House Health and Human Services on Thursday is scheduled to review the measure to make it a felony to perform such procedures in the state.

Republican Rep. Lynne DiSanto says she’s offering the proposal because a group that works with women informed her there’s no state law prohibiting genital mutilation.

She says lawmakers need to stand up for vulnerable women and girls and speak out against it. Her bill would also make it a felony for a parent to consent for an underage girl to undergo such procedures even if they occur outside the state.

The proposal says genital mutilation can’t be defended as a religious, customary or ritual requirement.

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