Lawmakers in Louisiana have approved a bill that could soon mandate surgical castration for individuals convicted of sex crimes against children under 13. The bill was passed on Monday, granting judges the authority to sentence offenders to surgical castration and prison time.
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The National Conference of State Legislatures confirmed that Louisiana would be the first of its kind to impose surgical castration since other states, such as Texas, California, and Florida, permit chemical castration but allow criminals to choose the surgical option. According to the Associated Press, Louisiana has allowed judges to order chemical castration for more than 16 years. Still, the punishment, which uses medication to block testosterone and reduce sex drive, is hardly enforced. Surgical castration, a more invasive procedure, is now considered an additional punitive measure.
During a committee meeting in April, Republican state Senator Valerie Hodges emphasized the severity of the proposed punishment. She said it is a “step over and beyond just going to jail and getting out.” The bill received support in both GOP-dominated chambers, with opposition primarily from Democrats despite it being introduced by Democratic state Senator Regina Barrow.
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If passed, the law would apply to crimes committed on or after August 1 of this year. The state currently has 2,224 individuals imprisoned for sex crimes against children under 13, and Senator Barrow hopes that the measure will serve as a deterrent for heinous acts.
The bill allows for the possibility of applying the punishment to women, although castration is typically associated with men. Each case would be considered individually, and judges would have discretion over imposing the punishment. Non-compliance with a castration order could result in additional prison time, with offenders facing a “failure to comply” charge that carries a sentence of three to five years. It also requires a medical expert to evaluate whether an offender is suitable for the procedure.
Social media users on X(formerly Twitter) reacted to the news and expressed their feelings towards the bill. Some also expressed concerns regarding laws that can negate the mandated procedure.