The constitutional and empirical viability of “mentally disordered sex offender” statutes is reviewed in light of recent research and litigation. A brief history of legislative activity shows that, after an initial flurry of enacting such statutes, many states began repealing them. In spite of this retrenchment, other states have established new programs either through modifying existing statutes or enacting new ones. The relationship of “mentally disordered sex offender” legislation to treatment is discussed within a range of current state programs. An understanding of the legal context in which treatment programs operate is critical to addressing ultimate questions of treatment efficacy and sex offender recidivism.
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