Massachusetts politicians are vowing to act quickly to pass legislation outlawing the taking of photographs up the skirts of women in public.

The sense of urgency on Beacon Hill comes a day after the state's highest court ruled that a man who took mobile phone photos up the skirts of female passengers riding the Boston subway did not violate state law.

The Supreme Judicial Court said Peeping Tom laws protect people from being photographed in dressing rooms and bathrooms when nude or partially nude, but the way the law is written, it does not protect clothed people in public areas.

Staffers worked furiously yesterday to craft a final bill that senators planned to debate and pass.

If the House agrees, legislation could be on Governor Deval Patrick's desk by today.