On Wednesday, Parliament passed a bill that will increase penalties for those convicted of falsely reporting a crime. The aim of the law is to deter people from making false reports to the police.

The bill was introduced by State Rep. Mike Shaw (R-Hoover) and carried in the Senate by State Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield).

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement praising state lawmakers for the bill, which was inspired by a Hoover incident in which a woman falsely reported being kidnapped, leading to the arrest of hundreds of police officers.

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“Last summer, a false report of an individual being kidnapped overwhelmed law enforcement agencies across Alabama and terrified local communities. Multiple agencies responded quickly, but a terrified public was outraged when they learned the entire incident was a hoax. This action cost taxpayers millions of dollars and took critical resources away from people who desperately needed law enforcement assistance,” Attorney General Marshall said.

“The purpose of this legislation is to create a deterrent for those who blatantly lie when reporting a crime and ensure that those who do experience the full force of the law. I commend the Legislature for listening and working with law enforcement on this issue and hope it refocuses our attention on those who are victims of crime in the short and long term.”

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Currently, false reporting of a crime is a Class A misdemeanor. HB 82 would increase the penalty by making false reporting of a crime that poses an imminent danger to a person or the public a Class C felony. The bill also expands states' authority to seek compensation from local, state and federal authorities for expenses incurred during the investigation of a false report.

HB 82 was passed unanimously by the Alabama Senate. The bill also passed unanimously in the House in February. The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and signature.

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