Proposed bill would prevent public access to crime photos.

Intro:	A proposed bill could keep the public from obtaining crime scene photos after a situation in Georgia raised concern.
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Wrap: The Missouri House Committee of Crime Prevention heard a bill that would make the release of deceased victims' Crime photos illegal.

Clinton Republican Representative Scott Largent of Clinton, a former police officer and coroner, sponsors the bill.

He says the current law is unfair for victim's families and wants it changed.

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Description: "Most of the families that we deal with--they don't necessarily even know that all these photographs exist. And many of them are quite surprised that some of these photographs are free for anyone to get a hold of."

Largent says the bill stems from a case in Georgia where a reporter could legally get a decapitated woman's crime scene photo.

Georgia lawmakers approved a bill in 36 days to deny public access of that photo.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo.

Intro:	After a Georgia reporter's request in 2010 for a picture release of a decapitated woman was deemed legal, a Missouri representative is trying to prevent it from happening here.
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Wrap: Clinton Republican Representative Scott Largent is sponsoring a bill that would prevent the public access of crime scene photos.

At a committee hearing, Representatives of The Missouri House Committee of Crime Prevention showed support of Largent's bill.

Largent says making crime scene photos public only creates further trauma for the deceased victims' families.

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Description: "Police officer for seven years, and a coroner for four, I certainly have seen the photographs they're talking about and in the unfortunate event that it should be my family, I certainly wouldn't want these photographs released."

Nobody opposed the bill at the hearing, but the Attorney for the the Missouri Press Association says she wants to ensure the bill would proptect the rights of the press.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo.

Intro:	After a Georgia reporter's request in 2010 for a picture release of a decapitated woman was deemed legal, a Missouri representative is trying to prevent it from happening here.
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Wrap: At a House committee of Crime Prevention hearing, State Representatives showed support for a bill aimed at denying public access to crime scene photos.

The bill would prevent media outlets and state agencies access to deceased victim's crime scene photos.

Drew Juden, Director of Public Safety for Sikeston Missouri, says people want the photos for the wrong reasons.

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Description: "I think its national press and you look at tabloids and some media that's very sensational and they're looking for very graphic photographs to get that splash."

At the committee hearing, a lawyer for the Missouri Press Association told representatives she wants to make sure the bill will still protect the rights of the press.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Joe Chiodo