Gov. Patrick signs bill outlawing 'upskirt' photos

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill that would update state law to prohibit so-called "upskirt" photos of women.

Patrick's office said the governor signed the measure Friday, two days after the state's highest court ruled that a man who took cellphone photos up the skirts of female subway passengers in Boston wasn't violating state law as written.

The House and Senate responded by quickly passing legislation to crack down on people who take photographs of the "sexual or other intimate parts" of women or children in public.

The law, which takes effect immediately in Massachusetts, would punish "upskirting" with a maximum penalty of two-and-a-half years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The maximum penalties would increase to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if the victim is a child.

Cox Media Group