In a bill going through the California Legislature, it would become a crime for people employed in law enforcement or the court system to make money releasing "confidential information gathered in criminal investigations or unauthorized photographs of people in custody," says a report in the L.A. Times.
The legislation was instigated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, who says it's needed to ensure the justice system maintains its integrity. An example given by Baca was Paris Hilton, which he said the the frenzy surrounding her was like ""It was like putting a bounty on her."
Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica), author of AB 920, said the bill would relate to anyone providing information to unathorized people, not only journalists.
"I felt it was important to help law enforcement to maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system," she said.
If the bill is passed and upheld, it would make financial gain in exchange for confidential information a misdemeanor, it would also forbid offering or soliciting financial compensation for unauthorized information.
Some think if the bill is passed, it will probably be struck down by the courts. It has already passed in assempbly and cleared a Senate Committee.
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