Public Participation Protection Act Exposed

Model Bill Info
Bill Title	Public Participation Protection Act
Date Amended	July 1, 2014
Date Accessed	May 14, 2018
Type	Model Policy
Status	Final
Task Forces	Civil Justice
Keywords	Lawsuits, SLAPP Laws

Summary

The ALEC Public Participation Protection Act is intended to encourage and safeguard public participation in civic society. Some have abused the civil justice system by filing, or threatening to file, lawsuits against those who express their views on matters of public concern. The goal of such lawsuits is not to win on the merits. Rather, the purpose of the lawsuit is to discourage, intimidate, retaliate against and, ultimately, silence critics by forcing them to spend time and money to defend themselves in litigation.

The model act protects individuals and organizations that speak, petition the government, and associate with others on matters of public concern from lengthy, expensive litigation, while preserving the ability of people and businesses to file meritorious lawsuits. Under the model act, a person who is hit with a lawsuit that impedes his or her First Amendment rights can request an expedited hearing, and, if the court finds the claim lacks merit, is entitled to recover attorney’s fees and costs. A plaintiff can recover such expenses if a defendant abuses the expedited process.

Approximately 29 states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation along these lines, which are often called “anti-SLAPP laws” (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). The model act draws from several such laws, including those enacted in California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

Public Participation Protection Act

Model Policy

Section 1. {Title.}

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Public Participation Protection Act.

Section 2. {Time for Filing Special Motion to Dismiss; Discovery.}

(A) A party may file a special motion to dismiss a claim under this Act if the claim is based on, or in response to, an act of the party in furtherance of the right of petition, free speech, or association under the United States Constitution or the [State] Constitution in connection with a public issue, which includes:

(1) the right of free speech by communicating, or conduct furthering communication, in a public forum on a matter of public concern related to (a) health or safety; (b) environmental, economic, or community well-being; (c) the government; (d) a public official or public figure; or (e) a good, product, or service in the marketplace;

(2) the right to petition the government through (a) a communication in connection with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative, executive, administrative, judicial, or other official body; (b) a communication that is reasonably likely to encourage consideration or review of an issue by a legislative, executive, administrative, judicial, or other official body; or (c) a communication that is reasonably likely to enlist public participation in an effort to effect consideration of an issue by a legislative, executive, administrative, judicial, or other official body; or

(3) the right of association, meaning a communication between individuals who join together to collectively express, promote, pursue, or defend common interests.

(C) A special motion to dismiss under this section must be filed not later than the 60th day after the date of service of the legal action. The court may extend the time to file a motion under this section for good cause.

(D) All discovery in the proceeding shall be stayed upon the filing of a special motion to dismiss under this section. The stay of discovery shall remain in effect until the entry of the order ruling on the motion and any interlocutory appeal thereof. Notwithstanding the stay imposed by this section, the court, on motion by a party or the court’s own motion and for good cause shown, may order specified and limited discovery relevant to the motion.

Section 3. {Expedited Hearing on Special Motion to Dismiss; Determination; Appeal.}

(A) The court shall conduct an expedited hearing on the motion. A hearing on the motion shall be held not later than [30] days after service of the motion, or [30] days of ordering discovery under paragraph (D), unless docket conditions of the court require a later hearing, upon a showing of good cause, or by agreement of the parties.

(B) Consideration of the Special Motion to Dismiss.

(1) If the moving party makes an initial showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the legal action is based on, or is in response to, that party’s exercise of the right to free speech, right to petition, or right of association as defined in Section 2(A), the court shall grant the motion to dismiss unless the
party bringing the action states with particularity the circumstances giving rise to the claim and shows by a preponderance of the evidence a probability of prevailing on the merits.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (B)(1), the court shall grant the motion to dismiss if the moving party establishes each element of a valid defense to the claim.

(3) In its determination, the court shall consider pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts upon which the liability or defense is based.

(4) The court shall rule on a special motion to dismiss as soon as possible, [but no later than [30] days after hearing the motion. If the court does not rule on a motion to dismiss within this period, the motion is considered to have been denied by operation of law.]

(C) An order granting or denying a special motion to dismiss shall be appealable under [insert reference to state statute or court rule providing grounds for interlocutory appeals].

Section 4. {Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees and Costs; Sanctions.}

(A) If the court orders dismissal of a legal action under this Act, the court shall award to the moving party costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, including those incurred on the motion.

(B) If the court finds that a special motion to dismiss is frivolous and solely intended to cause unnecessary delay, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees to the party opposing the motion.

Section 5. {Exemptions / Rules of Construction.}

This Act does not:

(A) Apply to an enforcement action that is brought in the name of this state or a political subdivision of this state by the attorney general, a district attorney, or a county attorney;

(B) Result in findings or determinations that are admissible into evidence at any later stage of the case or in any subsequent action;

(C) Affect or limit the authority of a court to award sanctions, costs, attorneys’ fees or any other relief available under any statute, court rule, or other authority;

(D) Affect, limit, or preclude the right of the moving party to any defense, remedy, immunity, or privilege otherwise authorized by law;

(E) Affect the substantive law governing any asserted claim; or

(F) Create a private right of action.

Section 6. {Severability Clause.}

Section 7. {Repealer Clause.}

Section 8. {Effective Date.}

This Act shall be effective as to any civil action commenced on or after the date of enactment of the Act regardless of whether the claim arose prior to the date of enactment.

Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors July 1, 2014.