JUNEAU -- The Alaska Legislature has approved a bill that would give judges flexibility when handing down criminal sentences to people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Judges are not currently allowed to consider conditions caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol during sentencing. Senate Majority Leader Kevin Meyer introduced SB151 after working with judges, activists and researchers. He says the bill was carefully worded to give judges more options without letting criminals get off easy.

SB151 passed the Senate earlier this month and passed the House unopposed on Sunday.