SC H3044

Authorizes courts to order surgical castration for offenders 18 years or older convicted of Tier II or Tier III sex offenses when the victim is 13 years of age or younger

Requires a court-appointed medical expert to determine if the offender is an appropriate candidate for the procedure within 60 days of sentencing

For incarcerated offenders, the procedure must be performed no later than one week before release from prison

Failure to appear for or refusal to undergo the court-ordered procedure constitutes a separate offense punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment with no suspension, probation, or parole allowed

The procedure cannot be ordered when it is not medically appropriate for the offender