Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Tuesday last week aimed at protecting the privacy of children who have celebrity parents.
The new law goes into effect Jan. 1 and will make it a misdemeanor for paparazzi 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.
The law also increases penalties for harassment. Paparazzi can now spend 6 months in jail and pay a $1,000 fine, but come Jan. 1 they can spend up to a year in jail and face a maximum fine of $10,000.
The measure drew strong support from Hollywood celebrities and Malibu residents Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner. Paparazzi have been known to frequent Malibu and photograph celebrities and their families, afterward selling the photos for profit.
