Castration bill goes to House
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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.
Offenders could voluntarily undergo physical castration.
For incarcerated offenders, the chemical castration treatments would begin no later than a week before their release from prison.
Offenders who refuse to submit to the treatment would face at least three years in prison.
After amending the bill, there was little discussion among committee members about the legislation.
Instead, lawmakers listened to Esman, Rougeou and Jody Gregoire of Metairie.
Gregoire spoke at length about the negative side effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate.
There are some indications that the chemical treatment leads to tumors.
Finally, the committee’s chairman, state Rep. Ernest Wooton, R-Belle Chasse, turned off Gregoire’s microphone.
Gregoire kept talking, prompting Wooton to threaten to have her ejected from the committee room.
After Gregoire said she would return to her “corner,” the committee voted to send the bill to the full House.
Voting FOR chemical castration (9): State Reps. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, Chris Hazel, R-Ball, Frankie Howard, R-Hornbeck, Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, Joseph Lopinto III, R-Metairie, John Schroder Sr., R-Covington, Gary Smith, D-Norco, Ricky Templet, R-Gretna, and Bodi White, R-Central.
Voting AGAINST chemical castration (1): State Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport.
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Equality under the law. Castration for men. Castration for women. We now have women abusing kids too. And a woman can be castrated in such a way that she would never be able to reach orgasm again like they were doing in India. So let's keep things fair.
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First let me say that Rep Wooton showed his " Holier than thou " attitude when he told Mrs. Gregoire not to point her finger at him. He then cut her microphone off while she was giving testimony. She was leaving in her wheel chair and he said " You can go to your corner now" This tells you a lot about a person who elects to serve the public. HE should not be given the great honor to protect and serve the public with the venom that comes from his mouth. This sex offender issue has become the Salem witch hunts of the 90's . Plain and simple "Justice without compassion is cruelty". Let s hold lawmakers to a higher standard and kick them out of office for sexual infidelity no questions asked; Maybe this drug has some usefulness after all.
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Child molesters are excluded??? Isn't this one of the types of sex offenders that you really want to go after. They are preying on innocent and helpless children. I don't see why these people should be excluded.
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