City Council Bill Would Prevent Regulation Of Circumcision

Article here. Excerpt:

'Citing freedom of religion, Councilman David Greenfield has introduced legislation prohibiting the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Board of Health from taking any formal action against the controversial practice of metzitzah b’peh.

The legislation, introduced at the Sept. 12 City Council meeting, has since been referred to the Health Committee for hearings. It addresses the Board of Health's requirement last year that mohelim obtain written consent from parents before performing the oral suction practice, which has been linked to dangerous infection.

“This is one of the most outrageous examples of government intruding into the ability of residents to freely practice their religion without restrictions based on questionable findings," said Greenfield, a Democrat, in his remarks, which were forwarded to the press.'