HB 2988 Summary

• Expands the right to use deadly force in self-defense to include defense of homes, businesses, and places of worship against unlawful forcible entry.

• Presumes reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm when a person uses defensive force against someone unlawfully and forcibly entering or attempting to remove someone from a dwelling, business, or place of worship.

• Extends "Stand Your Ground" protections allowing people to use force including deadly force without duty to retreat when attacked anywhere they have a legal right to be, if they reasonably believe it necessary to prevent death, great bodily harm, or forcible felony.

• Provides legal immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability for justified use of force, and requires courts to award attorney fees and costs to defendants found immune from prosecution.

• Effective date: November 1, 2012.