Provides that malice is an element of a defamation claim against an individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against the individual.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Last action: 2025-06-11
Official status: Chapter Number Assigned
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

2025-06-11 Senate
Chapter 275, 2025 Laws.
2025-06-11 Senate
Effective date, January 1, 2026.
2025-06-05 Senate
Governor signed.
2025-05-29 House
Speaker signed.
2025-05-28 Senate
President signed.
2025-05-27 House
Third reading. Carried by Mannix. Passed. Ayes, 56; Excused, 3--Drazan, Nguyen H, Wallan.
2025-05-23 House
Carried over to May 27, 2025 Calendar by virtue of adjournment.
2025-05-22 House
Second reading.
2025-05-21 House
Recommendation: Do pass.
2025-05-15 House
Work Session held.
2025-05-05 House
Public Hearing held.
2025-04-18 House
Referred to Judiciary.
2025-04-16 Senate
Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed. Ayes, 28; Excused, 2--Gelser Blouin, Woods.
2025-04-16 House
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
2025-04-15 Senate
Second reading.
2025-04-14 Senate
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
2025-04-07 Senate
Work Session held.
2025-02-27 Senate
Public Hearing held.
2025-01-17 Senate
Referred to Judiciary.
2025-01-13 Senate
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

Official Summary Text

<b>Digest: The Act says that a person making some defamation claims has to prove malice. The Act lets a defendant in some defamation claims bring a special motion to strike. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.5).</b>
[<i>Digest: The Act says that a plaintiff may not sue a person who talks about certain bad behavior for defamation if the person has a reasonable belief that it happened. The Act says that the plaintiff has to pay the person's lawyer fees and sanctions. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.4).</i>]
[<i>Provides that a person may not bring an action for defamation against an individual who, without malice, makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination if, at the time of making the communication, the individual has a reasonable belief that sexual assault, harassment or discrimination occurred. Allows the prevailing defendant to recover attorney fees and provides for imposition of remedial sanctions against the plaintiff.</i>]
<b>Provides that malice is an element of a defamation claim against an individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against the individual.
Allows a defendant in a defamation action regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against an individual to bring a special motion to strike the defamation claim, under certain circumstances.</b>
Relating to: Relating to retaliatory actions for defamation.
Current location: Chapter Number Assigned