Chemical castration bill passes by 1 vote

In a close 8-7 vote Thursday, lawmakers passed legislation
that would allow the Department of Corrections to begin
chemically castrating convicted sex offenders who are
preparing to be released on parole.
“This is a good day for the island of Guam,” said Sen. Brant
McCreadie, who introduced the “Chemical Castration for
Sex Offenders Act” to reduce recidivism rates of sex
offenders at the island’s prison. “It’s an important
message; it’s a message that we as a body will not support
this type of crime any more. It’s a stern, loud-and-clear
message to any offenders out there that there’s going to be
consequences.”
Pending Gov. Eddie Calvo’s signature, the bill would launch
a four-year pilot program at DOC in which eligible sex
offenders could be selected to undergo anti-androgen
treatment. Anti-androgen treatment is the use of hormone
medication such as medroxyprogesterone acetate to
control inappropriate sexual behavior. It essentially reduces
a person’s sex drive.
Speaker Judith Won Pat, Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz and
Sens. Tom Ada, Tina Muña Barnes, Mike San Nicolas, Mary
Torres and Nerissa Underwood voted against the bill.
If enacted, the Guam Parole Board could require qualifying
individuals to participate in the program as a condition of
parole. The parolee would also be required to foot the costs
of the treatment during their parole period.
A provision in the bill would allow the individual to
voluntarily opt for the permanent alternative of physical
castration. The person wouldn’t be required to participate in
the pilot program if he decides to undergo physical
castration, according to the bill.
The legislative body debated the measure during session
Wednesday, when amendments were proposed, including
the provision to include the four-year time span.
Lawmakers also included a sunset provision, requiring DOC
to produce an evaluation report that details “the
effectiveness and financial impact” of the program. The
report must be completed by the third year of the program’s
implementation so the Legislature could determine whether
to authorize the program’s continuation.
On Wednesday, the Guam Parole Board told McCreadie
there are 53 sex offenders currently serving prison time at
DOC who will be eligible for release on parole within three
years.
“We think that’s a viable number that we’ll be able to get the
data and start the treatments and see where it goes from
there,” McCreadie said.
“The continued treatment and management of the patient’s
condition on an outpatient basis has also been determined
to greatly reduce incident of violence and arrests,” the 24-
page bill states.
Under court order, behavioral health clients are interned to
receive treatment and must be released after they’ve
fulfilled the criteria of their court orders.
Other bills passed
This week, the Legislature deliberated nearly a dozen other
bills, unanimously passing the majority of them Thursday
morning.
Of the bills unanimously passed was “Baby Alexya Law,”
which would establish an outpatient treatment service for
certain individuals with a mental illness or condition. Sen.
Dennis Rodriguez Jr. named the bill after 1-year old Alexya
Esser, who earlier this year was reportedly struck in the
face by Yu Hua Han, a former mental health patient.
The Baby Alexya Law would establish an assisted
outpatient treatment service under the Guam Behavioral
Health and Wellness Center. Qualified patients with
treatable mental illnesses would receive court-ordered
treatment on an outpatient basis.
“The continued treatment and management of the patient’s
condition on an outpatient basis has also been determined
to greatly reduce incident of violence and arrests,” the 24-
page bill states.
Under court order, behavioral health clients are interned to
receive treatment and must be released after they’ve
fulfilled the criteria of their court order.
Senators in an 11-4 decision also passed the “Catastrophic
Leave Pool Act,” which intends to establish a sick-leave
pool for government employees who’ve been diagnosed
with a “catastrophic illness.”
The measure allows an employee who has a “catastrophic
illness” to receive sick leave from a pool, which would be an
accumulation of donated sick leave time.
Won Pat, Cruz, Torres and Sen. Rory Respicio voted against
the bill.
All 12 bills passed in Thursday’s session will be sent to
Adelup. Gov. Eddie Calvo has 10 days to sign, veto or allow
the measures to lapse into law.