Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has passed a bill to make the act of looting a crime in Alabama.
The bill passed the House 102-0 Tuesday and now goes to the Senate for debate.
The sponsor, Republican Rep. John Merrill of Tuscaloosa, said the bill was inspired by last year's tornadoes that ripped across Alabama and caused massive destruction in Merrill's hometown, Tuscaloosa. He said some people were victimized twice, once when the storm hit and again when looters stole their belongings.
The bill makes looting a felony crime if it occurs after a state of emergency has been declared in an area.
Looting is described as entering a building or residence without authorization and damaging or removing property of another person without lawful authority.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)