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SC H3305
Bill
Status
Engrossed
3/26/2025
Primary Sponsor
Weston Newton
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes the "South Carolina Public Expression Protection Act" to protect individuals from lawsuits based on their exercise of free speech, press, assembly, petition, or association rights on matters of public concern
- Allows defendants to file a special motion for expedited dismissal within 60 days of being served when sued over communications made in governmental proceedings or on issues under governmental review
- Stays all discovery and proceedings automatically upon filing the special motion, with the court required to hold a hearing within 60 days and rule within 30 days after the hearing
- Requires courts to award court costs, attorney's fees, and litigation expenses to the moving party if they prevail on the motion, or to the responding party if the motion was frivolous or filed solely to delay
- Exempts lawsuits against government employees acting in official capacity and government enforcement actions protecting against imminent public health or safety threats; takes effect June 1, 2025
Legislative Description
SC Public Expression Protection Act
Last Action
Read second time
5/1/2025
Committee Referrals
Judiciary3/26/2025
Judiciary12/5/2024
Full Bill Text
No bill text available