Hawaii Senate passes Steven Tyler Act on privacy

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith performs on NBC's "Today" at Rockefeller Plaza on Nov. 2, 2012, in New York. / Getty

The Hawaii state Senate passed the so-called Steven Tyler Act Tuesday, a bill that seeks to protect celebrities from overeager paparazzi.

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The law calls for a civil violation to be issued if people take unwanted photos or videos of others in their private moments.

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Steven Tyler

The Aerosmith frontman and Massachusetts native asked Sen. Kalani English to sponsor the legislation after unwanted photos taken of him and his girlfriend last December were published in a national magazine, causing family drama.

Besides Tyler, other celebrities have supported the bill, including Britney Spears, Mick Fleetwood and the Osbourne family.

But national media organizations worry about the proposal's impact on freedom of the press. The National Press Photographers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists were some of several national media organizations that submitted testimony opposing the bill.

Tyler owns a multimillion dollar home in Maui, which is part of Sen. English's district. English said the proposal could help increase celebrity tourism in Hawaii.

Twenty-three of the state's 25 Senate members voted in favor of the bill, which now goes to the House for consideration.