Alabama lawmakers approved stricter penalties for false crime reporting, turning imminent danger hoaxes into Class C felonies.

Alabama lawmakers have approved stiffer penalties for falsely reporting crimes to law enforcement, following a high-profile kidnapping hoax. The new legislation turns false reporting that alleges imminent danger into a Class C felony, increasing the penalty from a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also expands the ability of the state to seek restitution for costs incurred during the investigation of false reports.