A bill that would make female genital mutilation a crime in Maine is officially dead.
Earlier Wednesday, a Republican lawmaker came up with a change to the bill, and asked for another vote.
House Democrats insisted it was already dead, but a Republican senator tried to bring an amendment to the floor.
State Senator Joyce Maker’s amendment removed language that made it a crime for a parent or guardian to consent to FGM.
Instead, the person who actually performed the FGM procedure would be found guilty of a felony crime.
The change to the bill also directed DHHS to start an education and outreach campaign to communities in the state where the procedure might be practiced.
Those against the bill said a new state law could isolate immigrants and cause fear, largely because the cutting practice is most often done on girls in Africa and the Middle East.
The Senate voted against bringing the bill back up for a vote.