arrow_back Civic Audit
Share share

Free Speech Protection: Ending Lawsuits Designed to Silence Citizens

This act aims to protect citizens from so-called SLAPP lawsuits, which are baseless legal actions intended to silence criticism or public participation. It will allow for quicker dismissal of such cases and may require the plaintiff to cover legal costs, enabling citizens to freely express opinions and engage in public affairs without fear of expensive litigation.
Key points
Establishes a procedure for quickly dismissing lawsuits intended to silence free speech (SLAPP lawsuits).
Individuals sued for exercising constitutional rights (e.g., freedom of speech, assembly) can request a swift dismissal.
If a lawsuit is deemed a SLAPP, the plaintiff may be ordered to pay court costs and attorney fees.
The act applies to federal cases and aims to protect citizens from the misuse of the court system to suppress public debate.
article Official text account_balance Process page notifications_active Track this Bill
Status: Expired
Civic Will
Checking votes...
I support
I oppose
Why does your vote on bills matter?
It creates raw, undeniable proof. Civic Will provides the permanent data to verify the Government's loyalty towards its citizens (explained here). Start recording it now.
Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_10310
Sponsor: Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Process start date: 2024-12-05
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Free Speech Protection Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_10310.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-12-05.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Establishes a procedure for quickly dismissing lawsuits intended to silence free speech (SLAPP lawsuits).
  • Individuals sued for exercising constitutional rights (e.g., freedom of speech, assembly) can request a swift dismissal.
  • If a lawsuit is deemed a SLAPP, the plaintiff may be ordered to pay court costs and attorney fees.
  • The act applies to federal cases and aims to protect citizens from the misuse of the court system to suppress public debate.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-24.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law Media and Culture