Brewer signs bill banning female circumcision

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill outlawing female genital mutilation that's known as female circumcision.

Brewer signed Senate Bill 1342 on Thursday. The bill bars genital mutilation on girls under 18 and would make a first-time violation and conviction punishable by five to 14 years in prison and a minimum $25,000 fine.

Bill sponsor Republican Sen. Judy Burges of Sun City West says female genital mutilation is a problem that's beginning to appear in the United States.

The bill had strong support in both chambers.