SACRAMENTO, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Sunday a bill that stops local governments from enacting bans on male circumcision.
Democratic Assemblyman Mike Gatto had pushed for the bill following the proposal of a San Francisco ballot measure that would have prohibited any circumcisions that are not medically necessary.
The proposed city ordinance, which was opposed by doctors and religious groups, was shot down by a judge in June. The city of Santa Monica had considered a similar ordinance but dropped it.
Gatto said the new state law will "protect parental rights and liberties," the Los Angeles Times reported.
Brown also signed 43 other bills into law, while vetoing four. He still has hundreds more to deal with by Oct. 9.
Brown also signed a bill creating new penalties for the sale of synthetic cannabis products. Anyone selling synthetic marijuana can be fined up to $1,000 and sent to jail for six months.
