Castration bill goes to House
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A slightly watered-down chemical castration bill advanced to the full House on Wednesday.
Offenders who commit simple kidnapping or molestation of a juvenile would not be subject to injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate, which suppresses a man’s sex drive by reducing testosterone levels.
However, judges still would have the option of ordering a chemical castration for convicted rapists and other sex offenders. The American Civil Liberties Union unsuccessfully argued that mental health counseling would make more sense.
“I think this bill, at best, needs to be rethought,” Marjorie Esman, executive director for the ACLU of Louisiana, told the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, which approved the measure.
Esman said Senate Bill 144 would cover crimes such as date rape, in which alcohol might play a role.
Attorney Francis “Bo” Rougeou said chemical castration would not change someone’s desire to commit a crime.
The problem, he said, is between the ears and not between the legs.
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Nick Gautreaux, D-Meaux, said the legislation would be worthwhile even if only one child’s life is positively affected.
Earlier, the committee delayed action on the bill after legislators objected to the number of crimes that would apply.
The bill originally included simple kidnapping, aggravated rape, sexual battery, second-degree sexual battery, oral sexual battery, incest, indecent behavior with juveniles, pornography involving juveniles, molestation of a juvenile, aggravated crime against nature and child sexual abuse.
The committee amended the bill to apply to aggravated rape, forcible rape, second degree sexual battery, aggravated incest and aggravated crime against nature.
On a first offense, the judge would have the option of ordering the injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate.
On a second offense, the injections would be mandatory.
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