Hawaii Senate to vote on Steven Tyler Act
By ANITA HOFSCHNEIDER Associated Press March 5, 2013 2:16PM
FILE - This March 28, 2012 file photo shows Joe Perry, left, and Steven Tyler from the band Aerosmith at a news conference announcing their 2012 Global Warming Tour at The Grove in Los Angeles. The Global Warming Tour will begin on June 16, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Katy Winn, file)
Updated: March 5, 2013 2:16PM
HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii state Senate plans to vote on a bill aimed at protecting celebrities and other public figures from unwanted media attention.
The so-called Steven Tyler Act would create a civil violation for people who take photos or videos of others’ private moments.
The Aerosmith lead singer is originally from Massachusetts but owns property in Maui. He asked Sen. Kalani English from Maui to introduce the bill after photos of Tyler and his girlfriend made news and caused family drama.
Several celebrities submitted testimony supporting the bill, including Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne and the Osborne family. But national media organizations worry the proposal could limit press freedoms.
Longtime media lawyer Jeff Portnoy says the bill is vague and unnecessary, despite amendments aligning the text with an existing California anti-paparazzi statute.
