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California Assembly Passes Anti-Pap Law

“Reckless” driving to capture photos of celebrities may soon be illegal in the state of California, after the Assembly overwhelmingly passed an anti-paparazzi bill 43-13.

Funny, we thought reckless driving was already illegal.

Perhaps it’s better to say that snapping photos of celebs from a vehicle now carries the threat of serious punishment. Violators could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Newspaper groups aren’t pleased with the result.

“We don’t deny there’s a big problem, we just think that this particular bill is overly inclusive,” general counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Association Tom Newton told The Wrap. “I don’t represent paparazzi, I represent photojournalists and these folks drive cars. Under this law though, if you harbor an intent to capture an image then it appears to us you could be subjected to enhanced criminal prosecution.”

The bill is now off to the Governator’s desk for final approval.

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