HB497 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Criminal sex offenders over age 21, sex offenses against child 12 years of age or younger, surgical castration required prior to release from custody of Corrections Department

Summary

HB497 would require chemical castration for certain sex offenders 21 or older who harmed a child 12 or younger, before they can be released from prison, with the offender paying the procedure's cost.

What This Bill Does

If a person is 21 or older at the time of the offense and the victim is 12 years old or younger, the bill requires chemical castration before release from the Department of Corrections. The cost of the chemical castration procedure must be paid by the offender. The bill uses a not-withstanding clause to override other laws to implement this requirement. The change would take effect on the first day of the third month after the bill is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Adult sex offenders (21 years or older at the time of offense) convicted of certain sex offenses against a child 12 years old or younger — must be chemically castrated before release.
• Alabama Department of Corrections — must administer and enforce the chemical castration requirement prior to an offender's release; offenders are responsible for paying the procedure’s cost.

Key Provisions

• If the victim is 12 years old or younger and the offender is 21 years or older at the time of the offense, the offender must be chemically castrated before being released from the Department of Corrections.
• The cost of the chemical castration procedure shall be paid by the adult criminal sex offender.
• The act applies notwithstanding any other provision of law.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses