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2023 SESSION
SB 845 Immunity of persons; tort actions, assertion of immunity, attorney fees and costs.
Introduced by: J. Chapman Petersen | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles | history
SUMMARY AS PASSED:
Immunity of persons; tort actions; assertion of immunity; attorney fees and costs. Provides that a person shall be immune from tort liability if the tort claim is based solely on statements (i) regarding matters of public concern that would be protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States made by that person that are communicated to a third party; (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; or (iii) made by an employee against his employer and where retaliatory action against an employee by such employer is otherwise prohibited by law. The bill also provides that any person who prevails in such a legal action may be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs. This bill is identical to HB 1757.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Immunity of persons at public hearing; statements made by employee against employer. Clarifies that the civil immunity provided to any person who makes a statement at a public hearing or that is communicated to a third party applies where such statement is made by an employee against his employer and where retaliatory action against an employee by such employer is otherwise prohibited by law.