S.B. No. 215 - Ohio Citizen Participation Act

• Enacts the "Ohio Citizen Participation Act" to provide immunity from civil suits for persons engaging in protected communications related to matters of public interest, government, or electoral action.

• Defines "protected communications" to include statements aimed at procuring governmental action, communications to government officials, statements on issues of public interest, and collective expression on common interests, including internet postings.

• Allows defendants to file a special motion to strike claims based on protected communications within 60 days of service; court must determine if claim is based on protected communication and whether plaintiff presented clear and convincing evidence of a prima facie case.

• Requires courts to award reasonable attorney's fees and court costs to defendants whose claims are dismissed via special motion to strike, and permits additional punitive damages and statutory damages of at least $500.

• Allows Ohio residents subject to foreign lawsuits based on protected communications to sue the foreign claimant in Ohio courts for attorney's fees, costs, and damages if they would have prevailed on a special motion to strike under this act.