98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB5769

 

Introduced , by Rep. John D. Anthony

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
720 ILCS 5/26-4.1 new

    Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of unlawful photography of an assisted person by a first responder. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she is a first responder who is dispatched to or is otherwise present at the scene of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation, for the purpose of providing medical care or other assistance, and knowingly photographs, films, videotapes, records, or otherwise reproduces in any manner, the image of a person being provided medical care or other assistance, except in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, or operating procedures of the agency employing the first responder. Also prohibits the disclosure of the photograph, film, videotape, record, or other reproduction without the prior written consent of the person, or the person's next-of-kin if the person cannot provide consent, unless that disclosure was for a legitimate law enforcement, public safety, health care, or insurance purpose or under a court order. Provides that a violation is a Class B misdemeanor. Provides for a civil cause of action for violations.


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CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding
5Section 26-4.1 as follows:
 
6    (720 ILCS 5/26-4.1 new)
7    Sec. 26-4.1. Unlawful photography of an assisted person by
8a first responder.
9    (a) As used in this Section:
10        "Disclose" means to sell, manufacture, give, provide,
11    lend, trade, mail, deliver, transfer, publish, distribute,
12    circulate, disseminate, present, exhibit, advertise, or
13    offer.
14        "First responder" means a law enforcement officer,
15    paid or volunteer firefighter, paid or volunteer member of
16    a duly incorporated first aid, emergency, ambulance, or
17    rescue squad association, or any other individual who, in
18    the course of his or her employment, is dispatched to the
19    scene of a motor vehicle accident or other emergency
20    situation for the purpose of providing medical care or
21    other assistance.
22    (b) A person commits unlawful photography of an assisted
23person by a first responder when he or she is a first responder

 

 

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1who is dispatched to or is otherwise present at the scene of a
2motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation, for the
3purpose of providing medical care or other assistance, and
4knowingly photographs, films, videotapes, records, or
5otherwise reproduces in any manner, the image of a person being
6provided medical care or other assistance, except in accordance
7with applicable rules, regulations, or operating procedures of
8the agency employing the first responder.
9    (c) A person commits unlawful photography of an assisted
10person by a first responder when he or she is a first responder
11and knowingly discloses any photograph, film, videotape,
12record, or other reproduction of the image of a person being
13provided medical care or other assistance at the scene of a
14motor vehicle accident or other emergency situation without the
15prior written consent of the person, or the person's
16next-of-kin if the person cannot provide consent, unless that
17disclosure was for a legitimate law enforcement, public safety,
18health care, or insurance purpose or under a court order.
19    (d) Sentence. Unlawful photography of an assisted person by
20a first responder is a Class B misdemeanor.
21    (e) In addition to any other right of action or recovery
22otherwise available under the laws of this State, a first
23responder who violates the provisions of subsection (b) or (c)
24of this Section shall be liable to the person whose image was
25taken or disclosed, who may bring a civil action in the circuit
26court. The court may award:

 

 

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1        (1) actual damages, but not less than liquidated
2    damages computed at the rate of $1,000 for each violation
3    of this Section;
4        (2) punitive damages upon proof of willful or reckless
5    disregard of the law;
6        (3) reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation
7    costs reasonably incurred; and
8        (4) any other preliminary and equitable relief as the
9    court determines to be appropriate.