By Alabama Public Radio
Springville, AL – The state now has a set of tougher penalties for sex offenders. Governor Bob Riley signed the legislation into law Tuesday. It strengthens penalties for sex offenders who attack children aged 12 and younger. The new changes require the most serious sex crimes against children to carry a minimum prison sentence of 20 years. When the offenders are released, they will have to wear electronic monitoring equipment for at least another decade. Governor Riley says the new law is a tremendous leap forward in protecting children.