OK: Chemical Castration Bill Advances

Senate Bill 1697, is a proposed legislation advancing in the Oklahoma Senate that would mandate chemical castration for certain child sex offenders. Under the bill, individuals convicted of sex crimes against children under the age of 13 would be required to undergo chemical castration as a condition of parole. The treatment, which involves drugs to reduce testosterone and sexual urges, would begin one month before release and continue until the court deems it no longer necessary.

The bill includes strict consequences for non-compliance: if an offender stops the treatment without authorization, it would be considered a parole violation, potentially resulting in a return to prison for a life sentence!

FAC encourages the public in Oklahoma to oppose this Bill as it raises ethical concerns over compelled medical treatment, it has questionable effectiveness, and the penalty for a violation is disproportionate (because of the low reoffense rate of sexual offenses).

The bill has passed a Senate committee and will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.