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Governor Lee signs law providing more protection to victims recorded without consent

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Governor Bill Lee has signed a new law providing more protection to victims recorded without consent. It originated from a case first reported late last year.

The "Voyeurism Victims Act" gives more time to press charges after a person is caught illegally recording someone where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Current law only allows a year from when crime occurs.

The act now changes the time to start from when the victim finds out about the crimes.

Last November, Matthew Vollmer was arrested after his girlfriend discovered hundreds of sexually explicit files on his computer. Vollmer was charged with multiple counts of unlawful photography using a hidden alarm clock camera to record at least twelve of his partners.

Ultimately, eight of the victims were unable to pursue any criminal charges due to the state’s statute of limitations. They didn't lose hope because of that and have helped to push legislation forward.

The law will now go into effect July 1.

As for the case, after a preliminary hearing it has since been bound over to a grand jury toward a possible trial.

Meet Trashley! New commercial pays tribute to 1970s Tennessee anti-litter ad

You'll love her and you'll love to hate her! Meet Trashley: the bad girl of Nashville littering. She stars in a new campaign that's a throwback to an anti-litter movement from years past. Her role has been reimagined by NDOT as a fast-paced, Dukes of Hazzard-style wrecking ball of a lady. You'll find yourself cracking up as you meet the actress behind Trashley and hear how she landed the role of Queen of Trash.

-Rebecca Schleicher