Wow, if you are on Maui or anywhere in Hawaii, for that matter, you can’t help but see and hear the buzz surrounding the “celebrity bill” also known as the Steven Tyler Bill.
Steven Tyler, former “American Idol” judge, recently bought a multi-million dollar house on Maui and wants to ensure he and his family will be able to enjoy their privacy when visiting the island. Tyler requested his manager to draft a bill regarding the protection of celebrity’s privacy when visiting Maui.
SB 465, known as the Steven Tyler Bill, was introduced by Sen. Kalani English and was co-sponsored by more than two-thirds of the state Senate. The Act would give celebrities and others the power to sue paparazzi who take photos or video of their private lives in an offensive way. As explained in Section 1 of the Bill, “the purpose of the Act is to encourage celebrities to visit and reside in our State by creating a civil cause of action for the constructive invasion of privacy.”
Steven Tyler and Mick Fleetwood appeared Friday, February 8 at the Hawaii Legislative hearing on the bill and more than a dozen other celebrities including Britney Spears, Neil Diamond and the Osborne family, have submitted testimony supporting the bill. Each of the letters included the same text.
“The paradise of Hawaii is a magnet for celebrities who just want a peaceful vacation,” Tyler said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “As a person in the public eye, I know the paparazzi are there and we have to accept that. But when they intrude into our private space, disregard our safety and the safety of others that crosses a serious line that shouldn’t be ignored.”
The bill doesn’t specify whether public places, like Hawaii’s beaches, would be exempt. English said the bill is not intended to limit beach photos but it would apply to people who take photos from boats or anywhere else on the ocean waters. English said Tyler told him he has had paparazzi hide in his bushes to take photos of him inside his house.
“Providing a remedy to the often-egregious acts of the paparazzi is a very notable incentive to purchase property or vacation on the islands,” the stars said. “Not only would this help the local economy, but it would also help ensure the safety of the general public, which can be threatened by crowds of cameramen or dangerous high-speed car chases.”
A friend of ours who works for one of the upscale hotels on the island, said employees and vendors alike are warned against sharing any information or talking about who is staying at the hotel (movie stars, public figures, entertainers, etc.) under threat of being fired.
While Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he supports the intent of the bill, he said it may need to be refined. Opponents say the bill could be unconstitutional.
The National Press Photographers Association said the bill is “well-meaning but ill-conceived” and tramples on constitutional rights.
The Motion Picture Association of America also opposes the bill.
Stay tuned and we’ll keep you up to date on what’s happening with the celebrity bill!
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