HB618 Summary

• Specifies that courts may award "litigation expenses" along with attorneys' fees against any attorney or party who brings a civil action or asserts a claim or defense without substantial justification.

• Allows courts to award litigation expenses against unrepresented parties (those appearing without an attorney) who bring frivolous civil actions or assert baseless claims or defenses.

• Removes the consideration of relative financial position of parties as a factor when determining whether to award attorneys' fees or litigation expenses.

• Creates a new appeal process allowing parties to appeal court orders that grant or refuse to grant awards of attorneys' fees or litigation expenses within 42 days of the order.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.