Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone

Tag Archives: California First Responder Photo Law

California Criminalizes Phototaking By Emergency Responders

The State of California has become the latest state to enact a law making it a criminal offense for a first responder to take certain photos at emergency scenes. Introduced in the California Legislature under the title of “Invasion of privacy: first responders”, the legislation was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28, 2020.

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.

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