Steven Tyler Act Passes In Hawaii Senate To Protect Celebrity Privacy From Parapazzi

In the name of celebrity privacy, the Hawaii state Senate has voted to pass the "Steven Tyler Act" on Tuesday which will prohibit paparazzi from taking unwanted photos or video of celebs in their private moments when they visit the islands of Honolulu. Transgressors of the measure would be charged with a civil violation.

The anti-paparazzi bill was inspired by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler after unwanted pictures of him with his girlfriend were published in a national magazine last December which led to family conflict. 

The 64-year-old rock star asked Sen. Kalani English to sponsor the bill.  According to English, the proposal could help increase celebrity tourism in Hawaii.

Twenty-three out of 25 state Senate members voted in favor of the bill, which will now be voted on by state House for consideration. Hawaii's only Republican state Senator, Sam Slom, voted against the legislation reasoning that the state already has laws protecting privacy and that it infringes upon First Amendment rights.  He added that the bill has become the center of jokes across the nation.

"We have been the butt of many editorials and jokes across the country for this proposed legislation," he said. "My final remarks to Steven Tyler as he sang so eloquently are, 'Dream on, dream on,"' he joked.

Besides Tyler, other celebrities like  Britney Spears, Mick Fleetwood and the Osborne family also support the bill claiming that intrusive paparazzi makes it difficult to enjoy simple activities with their family and friends.

On the contrary, national media organizations like the National Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists submitted testimony opposing the bill noting that the proposal will negatively affect freedom of the press.

According to media lawyer Jeff Portnoy, the language in the bill is vague and problematic.

"The measure's language is still ambiguous and it is unnecessary, given Hawaii's existing laws, Portnoy said. "Our only chance to get some sanity into this is in the House," he said.