S.B. No. 237 Summary

• Enacts the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act to provide expedited legal remedies for defendants in civil actions based on protected speech under the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions.

• Allows defendants to file a motion for expedited relief within 60 days of being served with a complaint to dismiss civil actions based on: communications in governmental proceedings, communications on issues under review in governmental proceedings, or exercise of free speech, press, assembly, petition, and association rights on matters of public concern.

• Requires courts to conduct hearings within 60 days of the motion filing and to dismiss claims with prejudice if the defendant establishes the action is based on protected speech and the plaintiff cannot establish a prima-facie case or fails to show an applicable exception.

• Provides mandatory attorney's fees, court costs, and litigation expenses to prevailing defendants and allows such fees to responding parties if the expedited relief motion is found to be frivolous conduct.

• Exempts actions against governmental units, enforcement actions for public health/safety threats, and claims against persons primarily engaged in selling goods or services when the cause of action arises from communication related to that sale.