A bill aimed at paparazzi photographing or video recording celebrities' children is signed into law by @GovJerryBrown http://t.co/denAIodtnO
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 25, 2013
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Tuesday a measure sought by celebrities to protect their children's privacy, a bill to extend family leave benefits and a proposal for more earthquake sensors in California.
The governor's signature on the privacy measure will make it a misdemeanor to attempt to photograph or videotape a child in a harassing manner if the image is being taken because the child's parent is a celebrity or public official.
"Kids shouldn't be tabloid fodder nor the target of ongoing harassment," the bill's author, Sen. Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), said in a statement. The new law "will give children, no matter who their parent is, protection from harassers who go to extremes to turn a buck," he said.
The measure drew strong support from Hollywood celebrities. Actresses Jennifer Garner and Halle Berry testified before the Legislature that when they take their children out in public, they are harassed by paparazzi.
The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, also increases the penalty for harassment, which is currently as much as six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The new penalty for harassment of children by photographers or video camera operators is as long as a year in jail and a possible fine of $10,000.
The California Broadcasters Assn. and California Newspapers Publishers Assn. opposed the bill, SB 606, saying that it was too broad and that existing laws against harassment are sufficient.
Gravity! Dear lord! A masterpiece of suspense, special effects, and stress. What an exhausting film. @fantasticfest
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) September 25, 2013
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