State Sen. Lester Jackson, the sponsor of Senate Bill 35, said the legislation was inspired by a woman in Savannah who was surprised to find out her rapist lived near her home. Jackson said she was afraid to go for walks in her neighborhood because he would watch her from his porch.

If the bill were to pass, registered sex offenders would have to notify their supervision officer if they wanted to move, and the officer would make sure their new residence was not too close to their victims or victims’ family.