Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The Washington Post reports:
Louisiana lawmakers on Monday approved a bill that would expand judges’ powers to sentence people convicted of certain sex crimes against children to physical castration.
If passed into law, the bill would allow judges to order a surgical castration, which is more invasive than the chemical methods outlined in a 2008 law. Surgical castration orders would be allowed in cases involving victims under age 13.
“We have a responsibility and a duty as it relates to the most vulnerable among us … I don’t feel that our kids are safe,” state Sen. Regina Ashford Barrow (D), the bill’s sponsor, said during a hearing last month.
The Associated Press reports:
If Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signs it into law, the state apparently would be the first with such a punishment.
The GOP-controlled Legislature passed the bill giving judges the option to sentence someone to surgical castration after the person has been convicted of certain aggravated sex crimes — including rape, incest and molestation — against a child under 13.
A handful of states — including California, Florida and Texas — have laws in place allowing for chemical castration. In some of those states, offenders can opt for the surgical procedure if they prefer. Bu the National Conference of State Legislatures said it is unaware of any states that allow judges to impose surgical castration.
Barrow is a Democrat who has also supported bans on abortion. Last year Florida approved a first in the nation death penalty for some child sex predators.
Louisiana judges could order surgical castration for people convicted of sex crimes against young children under legislation approved Monday, and if Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signs it into law, the state would be the first with such a punishment. https://t.co/ZNzEdmb37g
— WTOP (@WTOP) June 4, 2024