BATON ROUGE, LA — A new legislative proposal, Senate Bill No. 371, introduced by Senator Barrow, is currently under review in Louisiana. This bill, if passed, would mandate surgical castration for individuals convicted of specific sex offenses involving victims under the age of thirteen. The measure is set to take effect on August 1.
The bill specifically targets sex offenses that are categorized as aggravated, excluding certain types of sexual battery. Under the proposed law, the addition of surgical castration to the offender’s sentence would be contingent upon a medical assessment confirming the suitability of the defendant for the procedure. This evaluation must be conducted within sixty days of sentencing.
In situations where the convicted individual is serving a prison term, the law stipulates that the castration procedure be carried out at least one week prior to their release. Failure to comply with the court’s order regarding the procedure could lead to additional charges, potentially resulting in an imprisonment of three to five years without the possibility of probation, parole, or sentence suspension.
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections would be responsible for facilitating the surgical castration, ensuring it is only performed when medically appropriate. This bill represents a significant and controversial approach to addressing sex crimes against minors in the state.