The Free Speech Protection Act establishes a federal procedure to dismiss and deter strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as SLAPs. These are lawsuits filed primarily to silence or intimidate people exercising their constitutional rights to free speech, petition, assembly, or participation in government proceedings on matters of public concern. The bill applies to anyone engaged in protected speech, including journalists, publishers, and ordinary citizens commenting on public issues, and requires courts to dismiss such claims quickly if the defendant shows their speech was protected and the plaintiff cannot establish a valid legal case. If a defendant successfully dismisses a SLAPP, they can recover attorney's fees and costs unless the court finds special circumstances make such an award unjust, while plaintiffs who file bad faith motions may also face fee awards. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to any dismissal motion filed afterward, with courts required to rule on these motions within 90 days.
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