Governor Signs Chemical Castration Bill, Authorizing the Castration of Sex Offenders in Louisiana

Press Release

Governor Signs Chemical Castration Bill, Authorizing the Castration of Sex Offenders in Louisiana

Governor Bobby Jindal today signed the Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill, SB 144, authorizing the castration of convicted sex offenders.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, "The Sex Offender Chemical Castration Bill is a good bill, and I am especially glad to sign it into Louisiana law today, on the same day the Supreme Court has made an atrocious ruling against our state's ability to sentence those who sexually assault our children to the fullest extent. Those who prey on our children are among the very worst criminals imaginable.

"Not only as the Governor of this great state, but as a father of three children, I believe that sexually assaulting a child is one of the very worst crimes and I am glad we have taken such strong measures in Louisiana to put a stop to these monsters' brutal acts. I want to send the message loud and clear - to the Supreme Court of the United States and beyond - make no mistake about it, if anyone wants to molest children and commit sexual assaults on kids they should not do so here in Louisiana. Here, we will do everything in our power to protect our children and we will not rest until justice is won and we have fully punished those who harm them."

SB 144 by Senators Nick Gautreaux, Amedee, Dorsey, Duplessis and Mount provides that on a first conviction of aggravated rape, forcible rape, second degree sexual battery, aggravated incest, molestation of a juvenile when the victim is under the age of 13, or an aggravated crime against nature, the court may sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration. On a second conviction of the above listed crimes, the court is required to sentence the offender to undergo chemical castration.

This bill also provides that a court may instead order a physical castration instead of the chemical castration. Convicted sex offenders who undergo castration must still serve their full sentence, as their treatment will not affect their sentencing. Under the bill, if a convicted sex offender fails to appear for their chemical castration, they will serve an additional sentence of three to five years.

In the recently concluded regular session of the legislature, Governor Jindal also supported the passage of SB 143 to prohibit a sex offender from wearing a mask, hood or disguise during holiday events and from distributing candy or other gifts on Halloween to persons under eighteen years of age; SB 517 which provides for the lifetime registration of sex offenders; SB 510 to double the minimum sentence for computer-aided solicitation of a minor; HB 770 to prohibit the use text messaging by sex offenders; and SB 514 to increase the minimum sentence for the molestation of a juvenile by five-fold.

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