Jun 11, 2019

Alabama governor signs chemical castration bill into law

Rebecca Falconer

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs a book. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Photo: Gov. Kay Ivey/Facebook

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed a bill into law Monday requiring sex offenders whose victims are younger than 13 to be chemically castrated as a condition of parole, AL.com first reported.

The big picture: Alabama's measure requires offenders to take medication to suppress or block testosterone production before they're paroled. If an offender stops treatment, they would be returned to custody for a parole violation. A judge would decide when medication could be stopped.

Why it matters: Alabama is the ninth state to pass a chemical castration law, per the OLR Research Report. Rights groups oppose the practice. Randall Marshall, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union Alabama chapter, told WTVM it's "cruel," it misunderstands what sexual assault is about, and it could violate the 8th amendment.

What they're saying: State Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Calhoun County), who introduced the bill, said it will stop people from molesting children, per WAVE News.

"How can it be any more inhumane than molesting a small child?"

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Alabama governor signs chemical castration bill into law

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