How a woman's murder led to more restrictions for convicted sex offenders | ANF Investigates

Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Thursday morning a series of expanded restrictions for convicted sex offenders.House Bill 188, known as Mariam’s Law, is designed to better track these individuals. The bill was approved earlier this year by the Georgia General Assembly.The law comes after several Atlanta News First investigations exposed a loophole that allowed a repeat sex offender to get out of prison only to, prosecutors say, kidnap and kill 27-year-old Mariam Abdulrab, on her way home from work.State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) said the bill “assures any dangerous sexual predators are going to be monitored for the rest of their life. We need to make sure if someone is no longer in jail that they don’t pose a threat to society.“Without a doubt, Mariam is smiling down from heaven today.”Albers also credited Atlanta News First as “part of the reason we’re here today. Your proactive approach to this; your in-depth journalism; and getting the word out there of a tragedy that we could turn into a positive, is part of the reason we’re getting to spend this time together today. Specifically, I want to thank you and the news station for making this a priority.”MORE COVERAGE OF MARIAM’S LAWSenate committee approves ankle monitors for convicted sex offendersState House passes Mariam’s Law, expanding restrictions for convicted sex offendersMariam’s Law: Georgia loophole frees convicted sex offender now accused of murderAtlanta leaders urge state lawmakers to adopt Mariam’s Law, expand restrictionsLISTEN | 911 calls released from the night Mariam Abdulrab was kidnapped, murderedThe law requires sex offenders who have not received a risk-level assessment to be fitted with an ankle monitor. Once they are leveled, the most dangerous offenders have to wear the monitor for the duration of their probation, while lower-level offenders could have them removed if the state Department of Community Supervision approves.