Alabama lawmakers pass bill requiring chemical castration for certain sex offenders

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — A bill passed by the Alabama legislature would require certain convicted sex offenders to undergo chemical castration as a condition of their parole. House Bill 379 now awaits Governor Kay Ivey's signature to become law.

The treatment, which is legal in some other states, would be mandated for sexual offenders seeking parole who had been convicted of abusing a child under the age of 13.

Chemical castration reduces, inhibits or blocks the production of testosterone, hormones and other chemicals in a person's body to reduce sexual desire and performance. The bill is intended to reduce recidivism in sexual offenders.

Convicts would also be required to pay for the treatment which would be administered by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Alabama state senator Linda Coleman-Madison (D - Birmingham) voter in favor of HB 379 but questions how well it could be enforced.

"I didn't think that it would get passed really and I'm wondering whether the governor is really going to sign it."

A spokeswoman for Governor Kay Ivey said Tuesday the bill is still in the legal review process and did not signal whether Ivey would sign it.