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Regola Bill Targets Child Molesters
Would Require Chemical Treatment for Some Offenders
HARRISBURG -- Senator
Bob Regola, R-Westmoreland, is drafting legislation that would provide for the
chemical treatment of certain sex offenders who commit their crime on a child
victim who is under 13 years of age.
Commonly known as “chemical
castration” the treatment involves the use of medications to inhibit the
production of hormones in the sex glands.
“This legislation will
require that, for some offenses, judges order that candidates, who are deemed
appropriate to receive such treatment, undergo medically safe
medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment, or another medically safe drug treatment,
to reduce sex drive, sexual fantasies, or both, as part of the offender's
sentence. Statistics have shown that the recidivism rate for these offenses
decreases as time passes,” Senator Regola said.
Under Regola's legislation,
the treatment would be mandatory for certain first offenses and discretionary
for other crimes on second or subsequent offense. The legislation would also
set penalties for those who fail to comply with the court-ordered treatment.
“Chemical treatment of sex
offenders is an accepted and useful tool in the effort to protect our children
from sexual predators. In this regard, a number of other states currently have
such laws on the books,” Senator Regola said.
In 1996 California became the
first state to pass a chemical castration law. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and
Montana have since passed similar measures.
 
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