TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey first responders are now prohibited from posting online photos and videos of accident victims without the family’s permission under a new bill called “Cathy’s Law.”
“Cathy’s Law” is named for Cathy Bates, who was killed in a car accident in 2009, according to the Daily Recorder. When emergency personnel tried to free her body from the vehicle, a member of a local volunteer fire company snapped photos of her and posted them on Facebook.
Over the past two years, Bates’ family has worked to get the bill passed, gathering more than 5,000 signatures for a petition in favor of the law.
“Out of basic decency and respect, accident victims and their horrible ordeal simply should not be put on public display by first-responders who are entrusted with caring for these persons…"Sen. Chris Connors, a co-sponsor of the bill, said.
Any emergency personnel found guilty of violating Cathy’s Law can face up to 18 months in jail and fines of up to $10,000.