The Reasons Behind AB 2479

Marco Meneghin, a Field Representative/Casework Mgr. for California Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass gives Behind the Flash some insight on what led Speaker Bass to pass AB 2479 earlier this month into law.

Description of AB 2479 according to http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_2451-2500/ab_2479_cfa_20100628_125856_sen_comm.html

This bill would provide that a person who commits "false  imprisonment" with the intent to capture any type of visual image, sound recording, or other physical impression of a  plaintiff is subject to liability under the civil invasion of  privacy statute and, as such, liable for damages and remedies available pursuant to that statute, as specified.

What sparked Speaker Bass’s initiative to introduce this bill?

“There were a couple of high profile cases dealing with traffic accidents, and an issue of family.  Their kids are getting pictures taken unwillingly and it has been a safety issue for their family. As far as traffic stuff, anybody has seen the paparazzi videos and has seen some of the accidents.  For example, Brad Pitt being knocked off his motorcycle in traffic while trying to drive away from the paparazzi. They [celebrities] have come to Bass directly. 

Photo credit: www.dailymail.co.uk

Brad Pitt Video

Since the passing of last year’s AB 524 anti-paparazzi bill, what are the added restrictions to AB 2479?

This bill strengthens the old bill by providing that anybody that creates false imprisonment to capture an image, impinging on someone’s freedom to move by cornering them, the penalties increase .It is up to a $50,000 fine and a year in county jail.  Last year’s bill did not have the added jail time.

Have there been any complaints from the media regarding freedom of the press?

That was an issue that came up, we haven’t received any call directly.  But the general argument is that in journalism you aren’t practicing those tactics…basically stalking.

For more information on this law, click here for further bill analysis.

To check out news from Speaker Bass, check out her website