Louisiana becomes 1st state to legalize surgical castration for some sex offenders

The big picture: The crimes specified in the law include rape, incest and molestation of children under 13, the AP reports.

• The sentence would be applied at a judge's discretion, and not mandatory.
• For the past 16 years, Louisiana has already allowed but rarely used chemical castration, the AP says, which the Cleveland Clinic says is not permanent.

Friction point: The law, which received wide support from Louisiana lawmakers, is likely to face legal challenge as a form of constitutionally banned "cruel and unusual punishment."

• "We don't rape rapists," Elmhurst University philosophy professor Katrina Sifferd told the AP. "We don't cut off the hands of thieves."

Zoom out: The law is among several firsts making national headlines for Louisiana as Gov. Jeff Landry signs bills that made it through the state's legislative session.

• Among them is the country's first state mandate that the Ten Commandments be posted in public school classrooms.
• And Louisiana will also be the first state to reclassify drugs used for abortions as controlled substances.

What's next: The castration law goes into affect Aug. 1.

• The punishment can only be considered for people convicted after that date, not for the 2,224 people already serving time in Louisiana prisons for related crimes, the AP reports.