A Tennessee lawmaker has proposed chemical castration for sex offenders who have committed crimes against those under 13 years old.
In the proposed law, it would only apply to convict score eligible for parole. And there is a way for the sex offender to not be castrated.
The bill (introduced by Tennessee state Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris) states : "The person may elect to stop receiving the treatment at any time and shall not be forced to receive the treatment; however, such refusal constitutes a violation of the person's parole and the person shall be immediately remanded to the custody of the department of correction for the remainder of the person's sentence."
In addition, the sex offender has a choice. "The person may elect to stop receiving the treatment at any time and shall not be forced to receive the treatment; however, such refusal constitutes a violation of the person's parole and the person shall be immediately remanded to the custody of the department of correction for the remainder of the person's sentence,"
Under the law, the prisoner must pay for their own chemical castration unless they can prove they are indigent.
If it also gets support in the state senate and becomes law, it would take effect July 1st, 2020. The bill is nearly identical to a bill enacted in Alabama. That law is being scrutinized by the Alabama chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union to see if violates the 8th amendment (cruel and unusual punishment).