Bill prohibiting circumcision bans goes to Gov. Brown

Stopping the circumcision wars before they can even start.

Though a San Francisco Superior Court Judge has already interpreted state law to prohibit cities and counties from regulating or banning circumcision, the California Legislature is moving to make that restriction explicit.

Jonah Lowenfeld reports:

The bill passed by the legislature on Sep. 6 was written by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D - Los Angeles), who was put up to the task by his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman (D - Sherman Oaks).

“When Congressman Sherman called me, I could tell from the sound of his voice how important this was, not only to him, but to the Jewish Community,” Gatto said today in an emailed statement.

Sherman, who is Jewish, has introduced legislation at the federal level (HR 2400) that would stop states and municipalities from banning male circumcision. That bill is being considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

No word on whether Gov. Jerry Brown plans to sign the bill into law.