House, Senate Give Final, Unanimous Approval To Changes In Anti-SLAPP Bill Designed To Stop Lawsuits Restricting Public Participation, Free Speech

On July 9 -10, the Senate and House gave final, unanimous approval to House Bill 1466 (Bizzarro-D-Erie) that would help prevent powerful interests from filing SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits to silence citizen critics and chill free speech.

The bill-- the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act-- now goes to the Governor for his action.

Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) introduced the legislation in June 2023, noting it had first been introduced during the 2015-16 legislative session.  Read more here.

Pennsylvania already had limited protections from SLAPP lawsuits in place since 2000 with the Pennsylvania Environmental Immunity Act, but only involving environmental law.  Read more here.

“It’s unconscionable that these petty lawsuits have been successful in muzzling opposition in the past. Pennsylvanians should be able to speak freely without worrying about being silenced or getting saddled with legal costs,” said Rep. Bizzarro. “I’m grateful my colleagues in the General Assembly agree that it’s time to finally expand our SLAPP laws to protect our constitutional right to free speech.”

Resource Links:

-- House Unanimously Passes Bill Against Lawsuits Aimed At Silencing Citizen Critics And Dampening Public Participation [PaEN]

-- House Republicans, Democrats Introduce Legislation To Prevent The Court System From Being Used By Powerful Interests To Silence Citizen Critics  [PaEN]

-- PA Conservatives/Liberals Agree: SLAPP Lawsuits To Prevent Free Speech, Public Participation Are Wrong  [PaEN]

NewsClip:

-- PennLive: PA Lawmakers Pass Bill To Curb Frivolous Lawsuits, Protect Free Speech

[Posted: July 10, 2024]  PA Environment Digest