Alabama AG reacts to passage of bill inspired by Carlee Russell hoax [Video]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The Alabama Legislature is sending House Bill 82 to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature after it was unanimously passed by the Senate Wednesday.

The bill would raise falsely reporting a crime that poses an imminent threat to a person or the public to a Class C Felony. Currently, it is a Class C misdemeanor. It would also force those convicted to pay restitution to law enforcement for any resources used while pursuing the report.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says he is thankful for the work the Legislature has done to deter false reports.

“You’ve seen unanimous support from both the House and the Senate about rectifying what has clearly been a hole in Alabama’s law,” Marshall said.

The legislation comes after the Carlee Russell kidnapping hoax last summer that kept Alabamians on edge and drained law enforcement resources. Russell was charged with two misdemeanors and avoided jail time, but Marshall …