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NEW FLORIDA LAW PROTECTS NAMES AND IMAGES OF
MILITARY HEROES -- Hucksters could be fined up
to $1,000
for each bootleg item they sell under a new law
named
for a Tallahassee soldier who died in Iraq.
Story here...
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.
com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2007
0711/NEWS01/707110331/1006
Story below:
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Law protects names, images of military heroes
Bill Cotterell
News Journal capital bureau
TALLAHASSEE — Hucksters preying on the
patriotism of Floridians by hawking images of military heroes could be
fined up to $1,000 for each bootleg item they sell under a new law named
for a Tallahassee soldier who died in Iraq.
Surrounded by service members, veterans and state officials, Gov.
Charlie Crist praised the 2007 Legislature Tuesday for passing four
bills honoring the military.
One new law gives veterans a permanent preference in government hiring,
another increases property-tax exemptions for those disabled in combat
and a third extends emergency financial assistance as service members
return to civilian life.
But the one that drew the most discussion at a 30-minute Capitol
ceremony was the Robert A. Wise Military Protection Act, which increases
civil penalties for unwelcome use of names or images of service members.
Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, said his bill was prompted by the
sale of T-shirts, phone cards — even body armor — bearing pictures of
fallen military members.
"It is a shame that some people do not retain the good conscience and
the common sense God gave them when they were born, uncaring of the harm
they do and the hurt they cause," said Tammy Wise-Thrash, mother of the
Godby High School graduate who was killed by an improvised roadside bomb
in 2003.
She thanked Crist for signing the bills and Atwater for making time for
her when she went to his office "upset and tearful" over T-shirts
bearing her son's picture, made without the family's knowledge.
"She and others have suffered, seeing the names and images of their
loved ones on products — T-shirts, bulletproof vests, phone cards — some
things they never would have lent their names to sponsor because some
huckster has seen an opportunity to take an advantage and exploit this
sadness to sell a product," said Atwater.
His bill provides fines up to $1,000 per item for products depicting
service members without family authorization.
Brandon Hensler, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of
Florida, said there could be First Amendment problems if the law is
selectively enforced. He said a person or family can protect names and
images from commercial exploitation, but that use of news photos or
other information "in the public domain" is protected in political
demonstrations.
Other new laws:
Extend need-based emergency financial assistance to
service members and dependents for up to 120 days after members leave
active duty, to help with housing and other living expenses as they
return to civilian life.
Provide a permanent hiring preference for veterans
seeking jobs with state government. Previously, the veterans' preference
could be used only once.
Provide greater property tax relief for wounded
veterans. Under the new law, a veteran with a combat-related disability
would get a tax reduction in proportion to their disability
classification. Rep. Stan Jordan, R-Jacksonville, said that under his
bill, a veteran with a 75 percent disability would get a 75 percent cut
in property taxes. The exemption applies only to veterans over age 65
who were Florida residents when they joined the service.
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Larry Scott --
