Gov. Shapiro signs bill to end ‘frivolous lawsuits’ in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — On Thursday, Governor Shapiro signed a bill to end ‘frivolous lawsuits’ and preserve freedom of speech, according to state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro.

Act 72 of 2024, will ensure Pennsylvania joins 30 states that have passed similar laws. Bizzarro’s bill, H.B. 1466 , is an anti-SLAPP measure that will curtail Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, or SLAPPs.

These lawsuits have been historically used to silence or deter people from sounding a warning against people or organizations that take a position on a matter of public interest.

“The need and impetus for this legislation arose more than a decade ago when a nonprofit in Philadelphia was financially drained and facing bankruptcy from frivolous lawsuits because of their desire to advocate for the good of their community,” Bizzarro said. “This law preserves free speech and it helps end intimidation by litigation.”

The new law establishes the mechanism to quickly dismiss SLAPP lawsuits based on the protection of free speech through a court motion. If the dismissal motion is granted, defendants may recover legal fees and damages from the lawsuit.

“We’ve been hard at work for years, attempting to illustrate the merits of this legislation and convince my colleagues in the House and Senate about the benefits of enacting this law,” Bizzarro said. “Ultimately, we didn’t receive a single vote against this measure. The overwhelming bipartisan support illustrates the need for this law, and I must thank House Democratic Leadership for passing this measure during its first session in the majority in more than a decade.”

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Act 72 expands Pennsylvania’s narrow anti-SLAPP law , and the legislation also contains a SLAPP back provision, so if a party uses the SLAPP motion in a frivolous manner, the court will award legal fees and costs to the non-moving party.

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