The governor signed a large bill package last week that makes female genital mutilation a felony in Michigan. But he could see more bills on this issue headed to his desk.
But there are more bills on the issue yet to come.
The additional bills deal with parental rights and police training.
State Representative Vanessa Guerra is a bill sponsor. She says educating law enforcement is key when it comes to spotting female genital mutilation and talking to potential victims.
“It’s a very delicate thing, but I think that if we equip our officers with the knowledge of the procedure it makes it easier for them to have that conversation with the child.”
“This is something that while it appears uncommon, that we know is happening a lot. And in order to better suit our officers to be able to deal with this, we need education.”
One bill involves parental rights.
Republican Representative Peter Lucido is that bill’s sponsor. He wants the state to be able to strip parental rights from parents who allow their daughters to be subjected to genital mutilation.
“After a hearing, after giving them an opportunity for due process, if the parents did something like this or a parent or a guardian, then I want the child removed from that household.”
The bill is waiting for a vote by the full state House.