A bill for an act relating to surgical castration for certain sex offenses.

HF 17 would require courts to order surgical castration for individuals convicted of specific severe sex offenses against children under age 12, as defined in Iowa law. This applies to offenses like sexual abuse in the first degree, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and similar crimes where the victim was a minor. The court must first obtain a medical expert’s determination that the procedure is appropriate, and the castration must occur before release on probation or parole (within one week of release if confined). The bill covers only cases where the victim was under 12 at the time of the offense, with no effect on other sex offense convictions.