Loading chat...

WV HB5493

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/13/2026

Primary Sponsor

Joe Funkhouser

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Authorizes courts to sentence defendants convicted of sex offenses against minors to chemical castration treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), administered by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Allows defendants to request physical (surgical) castration as an alternative to chemical castration by providing written, voluntary consent
  • Requires a court-appointed medical expert to determine within 60 days of sentencing whether the defendant is an appropriate candidate for MPA treatment
  • MPA treatment must begin no later than one week before release from prison and can be ordered for a specific term of years or for the defendant's lifetime
  • Defendants who fail to appear for or refuse MPA treatment face a felony conviction with 1-5 years imprisonment

Legislative Description

Provide a penalty of chemical castration or surgical castration for sex abuse crimes against minors.

Courts

Last Action

To House Health and Human Resources

2/13/2026

Committee Referrals

Health & Human Resources2/13/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available