Senate committee approves ankle monitors for convicted sex offenders

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A bill that would expand electronic ankle monitor restrictions for convicted sex offenders is one step closer to becoming law.

House Bill 188, known as Mariam’s Law, aims to better track these individuals. The bill was unanimously passed out of the state Senate Public Safety Committee on Thursday.

The proposed law comes after an Atlanta News First investigation 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.

Abdulrab’s family believes the restrictions that come with Mariam’s Law could stop violent crimes, before they happen.

“We do not wish this upon anyone else. And if this bill does become a law, it will prevent other tragedies from happening,” Mariam’s brother, Ali Abdulrab, said.

“Today, I speak with one voice from 159 counties across the state of Georgia and we offer our wholehearted support for House Bill 188. We believe it is a huge step forward in enhancing public safety in Georgia,” Michael Mitchell, with the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, said.

But some believe the law, if passed by this year’s Georgia General Assembly and then signed by the governor, could violate a defendant’s rights.

“We’re using this bill to some degree to exploit that tragedy,” said Jill Travis of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers during a Thursday Senate hearing on the bill, while the organization’s Carlos Rodriguez added, “There are due process concerns.”

MORE COVERAGE OF MARIAM’S LAW

• State House passes Mariam’s Law, expanding restrictions for convicted sex offenders
• Mariam’s Law: Georgia loophole frees convicted sex offender now accused of murder
• Atlanta leaders urge state lawmakers to adopt Mariam’s Law, expand restrictions
• LISTEN | 911 calls released from the night Mariam Abdulrab was kidnapped, murdered

The law would require 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 would 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.

Abdulrab’s alleged killer was a repeat sex offender with a record of violent crimes, including child molestation, attempted rape and cruelty to children. But when DeMarcus Brinkley was released from prison in 2020, he never received a risk level assessment.

The bill would also change the name of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board to the Sexual Offender Risk Review Board.

“There is research that shows that the GPS monitor does reduce recidivism,” said Tracy Alvord of the Georgia Sexual Offender Registration Review Board.

The bill now heads to the Senate rules committee, which will determine when - or if - the bill makes it onto the full Senate floor for a vote before the legislature adjourns on March 29.

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