The “Kobe Bryant Act,” beginning in 2021, is a new California law that bans the sharing of crime scene photos, resulting from leaked images of Kobe Bryant. Daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant and the seven others who tragically lost their lives on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA.

On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an invasion of privacy bill which would make it illegal for first responders to share photos of a deceased person at a crime scene “for any purpose other than an official law enforcement purpose.”

“But the biggest threat to the sanctity of the victims’ remains proved to be the Sheriff’s department itself,” as eight deputies “pulled out their personal cell phones and snapped photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches. The deputies took these photos for their own personal gratification,” the lawsuit states.

On the day of the crash, family members gathered at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, where the sheriff assured them the crash site was secured. In the months following the tragedy, the Lakers NBA legend’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Alex Villanueva over the shared images.

A wrongful death lawsuit was also filed by Vanessa earlier this year against the helicopter companies and the pilot who also died in the crash.

We continue to keep Vanessa Bryant, who continues to be the pillar of strength for her three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri, in our prayers and the family and loved ones of the seven passengers.

Source CNN | Photo credit: Getty Images