Judges in the US state can already order someone convicted of child sex crimes to undergo chemical castration – but the surgical method is a much more invasive procedure.
Paedophiles found guilty of a sex crime against a child in Louisiana could soon be ordered to undergo surgical castration in addition to prison time.
Politicians in the US state gave final approval to a bill on Monday that would allow judges to issue the order to those convicted of certain aggravated sex crimes against a child younger than 13.
These crimes include rape, incest and molestation.
If the bill becomes law, it can only be applied to men and women whose crime took place on or after 1 August this year.
Louisiana judges have had the power to order those convicted of such crimes to have chemical castration since 2008.
This method involves the use of drugs that block sex hormone production in order to decrease libido.
Surgical castration is a much more invasive procedure.
A handful of other states – including California, Florida and Texas – also already have laws in place allowing for the punishment of chemical castration.
In some of those states, offenders can opt for the surgical procedure if they prefer.
