A group from outside Maine is urging lawmakers to reconsider a bill that would add new state penalties for female genital mutilation, or FGM.
The practice, largely unheard of in the United States, has been getting increasing attention lately.
The group, “End FGM Today” wants Maine lawmakers to pass the bill on July 20, when the legislature returns for one day to take up the governor’s vetoes, but House leaders tell CBS 13 they have no plans to take it up again after it was rejected during the last session.
FGM is illegal at the federal level, but 24 states have passed their own laws as well.
Originally posted on WGME:
http://wgme.com/news/local/group-from-outside-maine-urges-lawmakers-to-outlaw-female-genital-mutilation