West Virginia HB5493 proposes chemical or surgical castration as an alternative penalty for certain sex offenses against minors.

West Virginia HB5493 proposes to amend the state code to allow courts to sentence certain sex offenders to chemical or surgical castration. The Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation must assess the risk of reoffending before releasing an inmate convicted of specific sex offenses. The bill also mandates that courts may sentence defendants to medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment, contingent on a medical expert's determination. The treatment must begin within a week before the defendant's release.

West Virginia HB5493 proposes chemical or surgical castration as an alternative penalty for certain sex offenses against minors.

West Virginia HB5493 proposes to amend the state code to allow courts to sentence certain sex offenders to chemical or surgical castration. The Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation must assess the risk of reoffending before releasing an inmate convicted of specific sex offenses. The bill also mandates that courts may sentence defendants to medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment, contingent on a medical expert's determination. The treatment must begin within a week before the defendant's release.