Legislation that would make unlawful the genital mutilation of a minor female sailed through the Senate on Thursday.
The Senate's 34-0 vote sent Senate Bill 318 by Sen. Breanne Davis, R-Russellville, to the House.
The bill would make the mutilation a Class C felony. The mutilation would be defined as a procedure that involves the partial or total removal or harm of external female genitalia.
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Davis said 27 other states have approved similar laws.
"We must end this practice" that causes infection, bleeding and death in some cases, she said.
-- Michael R. Wickline