Louisiana lawmakers give final approval to bill allowing judges to order child molesters to undergo surgical castration.
Louisiana judges could order surgical castration for people convicted of sex crimes against young children under legislation approved Monday
The GOP-controlled Legislature passed the bill giving judges the option to sentence someone to surgical castration after the person has been convicted of certain aggravated sex crimes — including rape, incest and molestation — against a child under 13.
A handful of states — including California, Florida and Texas — have laws in place allowing for chemical castration.
In some of those states, offenders can opt for the surgical procedure if they prefer.
But the National Conference of State Legislatures said it is unaware of any states that allow judges to impose surgical castration.
For more than 16 years, judges in Louisiana have been allowed to order those convicted of such crimes to receive chemical castration, though that punishment is rarely issued.
Chemical castration uses medications that block testosterone production to decrease sex drive. Surgical castration is a much more invasive procedure.
“This is a consequence,” Republican state Sen. Valarie Hodges said during a committee hearing on the bill in April. “It’s a step over and beyond just going to jail and getting out.”
The bill received overwhelming approval in both of the GOP-dominated chambers. Votes against the bill mainly came from Democrats. However a Democratic lawmaker — state Sen. Regina Barrow — authored the legislation.
Currently, there are 2,224 people imprisoned in Louisiana for sex crimes against children younger than 13. If the bill becomes law, it can only be applied to those who have convicted a crime that occurred on or after Aug. 1 of this year.
