A bill increasing penalties for falsely reporting a crime to law enforcement is heading to the desk of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey after it passed the Senate by a 32-0 vote on Wednesday. (Elijah Nouvelage for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Falsely reporting a crime to authorities is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama, but the legislation, if signed by Ivey, will make the crime a felony if it "alleges imminent danger to a person or the public."
It would also make it easier to order restitution for the amount of money authorities spend working on the case.
"The goal of this legislation is to create a deterrent for those who blatantly lie in reporting a crime, so that those who do, experience the full force of the law," state Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement.
Carlee Russell pleaded guilty to falsely reporting information to law enforcement in March. She avoided jail time, but was ordered to pay more than $17,000 in restitution. (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)
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Russell pleaded guilty on March 21 to charges of giving false information to law enforcement. She was given a suspended six-month sentence, which allows her to avoid jail, and was ordered to pay more than $17,000 restitution.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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