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2017 SESSION
17103698DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 8.01-223.2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 8.01-223.2. Immunity of persons for statements made at public hearing or communicated to third party.
A. For purposes of this section, "matters of public concern" means matters of interest to the community, which includes written or spoken statements relating to (i) health or safety; (ii) economic or community well-being; or (iii) a good, product, or service in the marketplace.
B. A
person shall be immune from civil liability for a violation of § 18.2-499 or,
a claim of tortious interference with an existing contract or a business or
contractual expectancy, or a claim of
defamation based solely on statements (i) regarding
matters of public concern made by that person that are communicated
to a third party or (ii) made
at a public hearing before the governing body of any
locality or other political subdivision, or the boards, commissions, agencies
and authorities thereof, and other governing bodies of any local governmental
entity concerning matters properly before such body. The immunity provided by
this section shall not apply to any statements made with knowledge that they
are false, or reckless disregard for
whether they are false. The
court shall give priority on its docket to any
pleading invoking immunity under this section.
C. Any
person who has a suit against him dismissed pursuant to the immunity provided
by this section may shall be awarded reasonable
attorney fees and costs.