Convicted child sexual abusers in Louisiana could be ordered to undergo surgical castration in addition to any prison time they serve, under a tough new law approved by the Louisiana Legislature on Monday.
The bill would give judges the option to sentence those convicted of aggravated sexual offenses, such as rape, incest or sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13, to surgical castration.
For nearly two decades, Louisiana judges have been allowed to order people convicted of such crimes to undergo chemical castration, but such punishment has rarely been imposed in practice.
The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on April 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith)
Chemical castration involves the use of drugs that block testosterone production to reduce sex drive, while surgical castration is a much more invasive procedure.
The bill had overwhelming support in both Republican-controlled chambers, and although it was sponsored by State Sen. Regina Barrow, Democrat, most of the votes against it were from Democrats.
Currently, more than 2,000 people are incarcerated in Louisiana for sex crimes against children under the age of 13. If passed, the bill would apply to people convicted of crimes that occurred after Aug. 1 of this year.
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Senator Barrow said the bill would further strengthen penalties for this horrific crime and hopefully act as a deterrent to such crimes against children.
“We’re talking about a baby being assaulted by someone,” Barrow said at a committee meeting earlier this year. “This is something that cannot be tolerated.”
Barrow stressed that penalties are imposed at the judge’s discretion depending on each individual case.
According to the bill’s language, if an offender “fails to appear in court or refuses to undergo the procedure” after a judge orders a castration, they could be charged with “insubordination,” which carries an additional three to five years in prison.
The vehicle will enter through the main security gate at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola Penitentiary), the nation’s largest maximum security prison, located in Angola, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Judy Bottoni)
The law also states that before surgery takes place, a medical professional must “determine whether the offender is an appropriate candidate for the procedure.”
Opponents of the bill, and past chemical castration bills, have called it “cruel and unusual punishment” and questioned the effectiveness of the procedure. Other Louisiana lawmakers have questioned whether the punishment is too harsh for someone who has only committed a one-time crime.
Barrow responded that when it comes to her children, “once is too many.”
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The bill now heads to conservative Gov. Jeff Landry, who will decide whether to sign it into law or veto it. Fox News Digital has reached out to Landry’s office for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
