Gov. Chris Christie approves making 'upskirting' a crime

TRENTON, NJ -- Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a measure that makes "upskirting" a criminal offense.

Christie approved the law on Thursday that criminalizes the surreptitious recording or photographing of a person's undergarments under the state's invasion of privacy laws.

The measure was previously passed by lawmakers.

It makes the act of publishing "upskirt" images a third-degree offense punishable with up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Recording the images is a fourth-degree offense with up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Christie says he signed the measure to target perpetrators "of a perverse and growing form of pornography that victimizes vulnerable women and children in a matter of seconds."