West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5493: Provide a penalty of chemical castration or surgical castration for sex abuse crimes against minors.
Status: Introduced, February 13, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §62-12-27 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding a new section, designated §62-12-26a, relating to administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to persons convicted of certain sex offenses; authorizing the courts in certain convictions to sentence a defendant to be treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); authorizing physical castration in certain circumstances at the request of a defendant; requiring certain medical examinations for administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); creating procedures for a.
From the introduced text, February 13, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §62-12-27 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding a new section, designated §62-12-26a, relating to administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to persons convicted of certain sex offenses; authorizing the courts in certain convictions to sentence a defendant to be treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); authorizing physical castration in certain circumstances at the request of a defendant; requiring certain medical examinations for administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); creating procedures for administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA); creating certain medical exceptions; creating a felony offense for certain refusal of treatment after sentencing; requiring a prerelease risk assessment; and creating criminal penalties. ARTICLE 12. PROBATION AND PAROLE. §62-12-26a. Administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to persons convicted of certain sex offenses. (a)(1) Upon the conviction of any defendant convicted after the effective date of this section of a violation of §61-8-12 of this code or a felony violation of the provisions of §61-8B-1 et seq., §61-8C-1 et seq., and §61-8D-1 et seq., of this code, the court, in addition to the requirements set forth in §62-12-26 of this code, may sentence a defendant to be treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), according to a schedule of administration monitored by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (2) If the court sentences a …