OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Monday in the House passed a bill that would require child sex offenders to undergo chemical castration before they would be eligible for parole.

House Bill 2422 is fashioned after Knight's Law, which Fetgatter passed in the House last year. That bill was named after young victims that attended Henryetta Public Schools who were killed by a released sex offender. The Knight is the mascot of the school district.

"A known sex offender in my district was let out of prison even after he was accused of committing additional sex crimes while incarcerated," Fetgatter said. "He murdered his wife, her children and several of the children's friends before he could be tried on those new crimes. This should never have been allowed.

"I have promised the families of these victims that as long as I'm in this building, I will fight for stricter laws against such offenders to better protect our kids. While I know this bill doesn't fix all issues dealing with sexual predators, it's a step in the right direction."

Fetgatter explained that HB2422 would make chemical castration an option for child sex offenders who are seeking parole, or they would be required to serve 100% of the sentence imposed. 

HB2422 would affect those who are over the age of 21 who have committed a crime involving physical touch against a minor under the age of 13 that requires registration as a sex offender, and who has received a mental health evaluation determining the likelihood they would commit subsequent offenses if released on parole.

Knight's Law was named in honor of Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, both of Henryetta, and Rylee Allen, 17, Michael Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Guess, 13. All were found dead in 2023 on a property in Henryetta in Okmulgee County in Fetgatter's House District 16.

The victims were shot by Jesse McFadden, 39, who had served 16 years in prison for conviction of first-degree rape. He was a registered sex offender who was facing additional sex-crime charges for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor by use of technology while he was still in prison. He was scheduled to be in court on those charges May 1, 2023. When he didn't appear, authorities issued a bench warrant and discovered seven dead. Law enforcement said it looked as if McFadden shot himself in the head after killing the other six.

Also killed was Holley McFadden, Jesse McFadden's wife.

HB2422 now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville.