Chemical castration bill set for hearing

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – People who commit certain sex crimes could be forced to undergo chemical castration as a condition of release under a bill scheduled for a hearing in an Oklahoma Senate committee.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to consider the bill by Republican Sen. Mark Allen of Spiro on Tuesday.

The bill targets those convicted of certain sexually violent offenses, including rape, forcible sodomy, lewd proposals to a child, solicitation of a minor and procuring a minor to participate in pornography. It says first-time offenders may be required to undergo the hormone treatment as a condition of release, while a second conviction would make the treatment mandatory unless a court determines it wouldn’t be effective.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma opposes the measure.

Online: Senate Bill 671: http://bit.ly/1BgzrMq