United StatesPeople who successfully defend certain defamation lawsuits would receive legal fees
People who win federal defamation cases over factual accounts of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination they experienced and shared without malicious intent would receive reasonable defense costs, though judges could reduce awards.
What it does
People suing for defamation or libel over factual accounts of the speaker’s own sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination shared without malicious intent would pay reasonable defense costs if the speaker wins in federal court. Judges could reduce awards in exceptional cases.
Argument forRecovering reasonable defense costs could help people who win covered cases avoid bearing the expense of defending accounts of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination they experienced.
Argument againstThe risk of paying defense costs could discourage people from bringing uncertain defamation claims, even when they believe their reputations were harmed.
More detail
The person who sues would pay the winning speaker’s reasonable lawyer fees and case costs. This covers defamation or libel cases in federal court—lawsuits over harm to reputation—about factual accounts of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination the speaker experienced. The account must be shared without malicious intent. Awards cannot exceed reasonable fees and costs for the specific claim or position. Judges could reduce fees in exceptional circumstances that make payment unjust.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 9Introduced in HouseLatest
- Oct 9Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingCriminal Justice