MA H1974

Prohibits civil defamation lawsuits against any person, firm, or corporation for publishing fair and true reports of judicial, legislative, or other official proceedings

Establishes that communications made without malice regarding incidents of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination are legally privileged and protected from defamation claims

Entitles prevailing defendants in defamation suits involving privileged communications to recover reasonable attorney's fees, costs, treble damages for harm caused by the lawsuit, and punitive damages

Applies only to individuals who have or had a reasonable basis to file a complaint of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination, regardless of whether a formal complaint was actually filed

Defines covered "communication" to include factual information about sexual assault, sexual harassment, workplace harassment or discrimination, housing discrimination, and related retaliation