As reported yesterday by the
AP, two members of the California state Assembly on July 7 introduced a bill that would bar San Francisco and other cities from regulating male circumcision. The bill, intended to stop San Francisco's November vote on a ballot measure banning male circumcision (see
prior posting), was introduced as an amendment to an unrelated measure on global warming. The operative section of
AB 768 reads:
No local statute, ordinance, or regulation, or administrative action implementing a local statute, ordinance, or regulation shall prohibit or restrict the practice of male circumcision, or the exercise of parental authority with respect to the same.
Meanwhile, on June 24, ten members of the U.S. House of Representatives also introduced legislation aimed at barring the San Francisco ballot measure.
HR 2400 provides:
No State or political subdivision of a State may adopt or continue in force a law, regulation, or order that prohibits or regulates the circumcision of males who have not attained the age of 18 years and whose parent or guardian has consented to the circumcision, unless such law, regulation, or order--
(1) applies to all such circumcisions performed in the State; and
(2) is limited to ensuring that all such circumcisions are performed in a hygienic manner.
Last month, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) had announced his intention to introduce this bill. (See
prior posting.)
