The Iowa State Senate passed a bill that would make it easier for law enforcement to prosecute “peeping toms.” The bill now heads to the house for c...

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa State Senate voted Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, to toughen up a law protecting people from "peeping toms."

Current laws made it difficult for a suspect to be charged. Prosecutors had to prove the victim was naked and/or the peeper was aroused by the act of spying.

One woman says today's vote is a step in the right direction.

Ruth Lapointe says she was a victim of a peeping tom when living in Iowa City in 2012, saying her landlord has been spying on tenants through peepholes in their bathrooms.

"I definitely think this bill is going to help future victims by clarifying it and I think it's maybe just a baby step in the direction of providing awareness that this is an issue," said Lapointe.

The new law would simply make it illegal to intentionally view or photograph another person through a window or similar opening without a legitimate purpose, if the person holds a reasonable expectation of privacy.