SB518 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shadrack McGill

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Sex offenders, chemical castration authorized under certain conditions, penalties for failure to comply

Summary

SB518 would authorize chemical or physical castration for certain sex offenders under court-ordered conditions, with medical approval and penalties for non-compliance.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the court to order chemical castration using medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or physical castration for specific sex offenses, based on the offender's number of convictions and court-determined eligibility. A court-appointed medical expert must determine if the offender is eligible within 60 days, and the duration of MPA treatment is set by the court (or life at the court's discretion). The Department of Corrections would administer the treatment, and failing to appear for or allow MPA administration would be a Class B felony. The bill also addresses a constitutional funding requirement, stating it is exempt due to exceptions, and it becomes effective after a defined period following passage.

Who It Affects

• Offenders convicted of the listed offenses (rape in the first or second degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual torture, sexual abuse in the first degree, or sexual abuse of a child under 12) who would be ordered to MPA or castration depending on their number of prior offenses.
• Defendants with second or subsequent convictions for any listed offense, who may be ordered to MPA or, at the court's discretion, physical castration; third convictions require physical castration.
• The Alabama Department of Corrections, which would administer MPA treatment, and court-appointed medical experts who determine eligibility.

Key Provisions

• Authorization for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment or physical castration for specified offenses, with eligibility determined by a court-appointed medical expert within 60 days of sentencing.
• First conviction: court may order MPA treatment; second or later conviction: court shall order MPA or may order physical castration; third conviction: court shall order physical castration.
• MPA may not replace other penalties, but the court may substitute physical castration upon the defendant's voluntary, informed consent.
• MPA administration must begin within one week prior to the defendant's release if incarcerated; the Department of Corrections must provide the necessary services.
• Failure to appear for MPA administration or to allow administration, as required by the court, would be a Class B felony.
• Section 2 clarifies that, although the bill would involve new local funding considerations, it is exempt from Amendment 621's local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing one.
• Effective date: the bill becomes law on the first day of the third month after final passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses