Wisconsin Assembly votes to make "upskirting" illegal

MADISON (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly has voted to make the act of secretly taking a photo of someone's genitals, buttocks or breasts a felony.

In a voice vote the Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that would make what is known as "upskirting" a Class I felony. That is punishable by up to three and a half years in prison.

The offense is currently handled as an invasion of privacy in Wisconsin courts. That is a misdemeanor that carries up to nine months in jail as a penalty.

Supporters of the bipartisan bill say there is an upskirting case in a state appeals court that will set a precedent. They say they hope the bill can be passed quickly so the appeals judge can apply a felony charge.

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