Bill > S823

This bill aims to strengthen the anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Clarifying the purpose of the anti-SLAPP law to protect citizens' and organizations' rights to free speech, freedom of expression, and the right to petition the government on matters of public concern, as these rights have been increasingly targeted by lawsuits intended to chill their exercise. 2. Allowing a party targeted by such lawsuits to file a special motion to dismiss the case expeditiously, unless the opposing party can show that the targeted party's actions were devoid of reasonable factual or legal basis and caused actual injury. 3. Authorizing the state Attorney General to intervene and support the party filing the special motion to dismiss. 4. Staying discovery proceedings upon the filing of the special motion to dismiss, with limited exceptions. 5. Awarding costs and attorneys' fees to the party whose special motion to dismiss is granted, and allowing that party to appeal if the motion is denied. 6. Defining key terms like "freedom of speech," "freedom of expression," "right of petition," and "matter of public concern" to ensure broad interpretation and application of the anti-SLAPP law. The overall aim of the bill is to provide stronger legal protections for individuals and organizations engaged in public discourse and advocacy on matters of public interest, by making it easier for them to quickly dismiss lawsuits intended to silence them.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S823