MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Wednesday morning, The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee of the Alabama House of Representatives approved a series of bills that would create tougher penalties for those who assault law enforcement officers.

In a bill proposed by former police chief Rep. Connie Rowe (R-Jasper), the penalty for a person who commits second-degree assault against a police officer would increase. Rowe’s plan reclassifies the crime from a Class C Felony to a Class B. While a Class C carries a penalty of only 1 to 10 years, a Class B carries a penalty of 2 to 20. The penalties would apply to a person who intentionally causes physical harm and tries to interfere with the police or emergency workers doing their jobs.

Another bill, proposed by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette), would focus on increasing the penalties for menacing law enforcement. Menacing, which is currently a misdemeanor, occurs in Alabama when a person uses physical action to place another person in fear of imminent serious injury.

South’s legislation would shift the crime from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony when it is done with a gun or other deadly weapon.

Public Safety and Homeland Security committee chairman Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston) said the tougher penalties are necessary because the cultural respect for law enforcement officials has plummeted. “When they put that uniform on, it’s like putting a target on your back,” Wood said.

The house will vote on both bills next week.