Lawmakers moving to outlaw 'upskirt' photos

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - Massachusetts lawmakers are vowing to act quickly to pass legislation outlawing the taking of photographs up the skirts of women in public.

The sense of urgency on Beacon Hill comes a day after the state's highest court ruled that a man who took cell phone photos up the skirts of female passengers riding the Boston subway did not violate state law.

Senate President Therese Murray told FOX 25 that both houses will pass a law Thursday that would make it a misdemeanor to take photos up a woman's skirt,  and a felony if the picture were disseminated.

The legislation could be on Gov. Deval Patrick's desk by Friday. The governor said Thursday that he would support the bill.

The Supreme Judicial Court said Peeping Tom laws protect people from being photographed in dressing rooms and bathrooms when nude or partially nude, but the way the law is written, it doesn't protect clothed people in public areas.

Cox Media Group