OLR Bill Analysis

sSB 1099 (File 265, as amended by Senate "A")*

AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNAUTHORIZED TAKING OR TRANSMISSION BY FIRST RESPONDERS OF IMAGES OF CRIME OR ACCIDENT VICTIMS.

SUMMARY:

This bill establishes criminal penalties for specified persons who, when responding to a request to provide medical or other assistance for someone, knowingly (1) take that person's photograph or digital image or (2) make such an image available to a third person. The penalties apply to peace officers, firefighters, ambulance drivers, emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics, but only when these actions are not in the performance of their duties. The penalties also do not apply if these actions are done with the consent of the assisted person or someone in that person's immediate family.

Under the bill, the penalty for this conduct is up to a year in prison, up to a $ 2,000 fine, or both.

*Senate Amendment “A” adds emergency medical responders to the categories of people subject to the bill.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2011

COMMITTEE ACTION

Judiciary Committee

Joint Favorable

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable