Alabama passes bill requiring chemical castration for certain child molesters

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An Alabama measure that would require certain child sex offenders to undergo chemical castration before being released from prison is awaiting the governor's signature.

The bill, known as HB 379, was introduced by Republican state Rep. Steve Hurst and targets child sex offenders whose offenses involve anyone under 13, according to the legislation.

“They have marked this child for life and the punishment should fit the crime,” Hurst told WIAT-TV in Birmingham.

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The offenders would be required to foot the bill for the procedure. Refusing to undergo the castration would constitute a violation of parole, the bill reads.

A bill awaiting Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's signature would require certain child sex offenders to undergo chemical castration before being released from prison.  (iStock)

Hurst said his aim is to reduce the number of sex crimes committed against children by making potential offenders think twice before they act.

"If we do something of this nature it would deter something like this happening again in Alabama and maybe reduce the numbers," said Hurst.

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"I had people call me in the past when I introduced it and said, 'Don't you think this is inhumane?'” Hurst said of the bill. “I asked them what's more inhumane than when you take a little infant child, and you sexually molest that infant child when the child cannot defend themselves or get away, and they have to go through all the things they have to go through. If you want to talk about inhumane -- that's inhumane.”

Attorney Raymond Johnson told the station that child molestation is already a serious offense punishable with prison time and probation after parole.

"They're going to challenge it under the Eighth Amendment Constitution, Johnson told the news outlet. "They're going to claim that it is cruel and unusual punishment  for someone who has served their time."

Neither Johnson nor Hurst responded on Tuesday to Fox News' requests for comment.

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The bill was sent to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey's desk over the weekend and awaits her signature.

Several states already passed chemical castration bills, but it is not known how often the practice is used. Unlike surgical castration -- which involves the severing of one's genitals -- chemical castration uses drugs to suppress sexual urges.