Texas Senate approves bill to raise penalties for female genital mutilation

Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, left, speaks during a news conference Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Austin, Texas. She is carrying a bill to increase penalties for the long-banned ritualistic practice of female genital mutilation. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck) less Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, left, speaks during a news conference Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, in Austin, Texas. She is carrying a bill to increase penalties for the long-banned ritualistic practice of female ... more Photo: Harry Cabluck, STF Photo: Harry Cabluck, STF Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas Senate approves bill to raise penalties for female genital mutilation 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — With lightning speed, the Texas Senate on Wednesday approved increased penalties for the long-banned and ritualistic practice of female genital mutilation.

Senate Bill 323, which shot through a Senate committee after being filed just a week ago, was approved in a final vote of 31-0. All eight women senators were co-authors.

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The vote took less than three minutes.

Under the measure by Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, people who transport girls or young women to have the controversial procedure performed can be prosecuted and mandates that neither a custom nor consent can be used as a defense to prosecution.

The procedure, common in some parts of Africa and the Middle East, has been illegal in Texas for years and has been banned by federal law since 1996.

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"But our law is not as comprehensive as other states," Nelson said. "This bill will make sure that if young girls are taken from Texas to other states to have this procedure performed, that we can prosecute the people involved."

Texas is one of 24 states that ban the procedure, called FGM.

"This is cruel and gruesome act that has no place in our society," Nelson said. "It causes negative consequences that can last a lifetime."