HB 991: Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses
GENERAL BILL by Andrade ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Beltran ; Black
Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses; Provides that journalist’s privilege does not apply to defamation claims when defendant is professional journalist or media entity; revises provisions concerning venue for certain actions; provides for attorney fees & costs to prevailing plaintiffs in certain actions; specifies certain persons may not be considered public figures; provides certain allegations are defamatory per se; provides statutory damages to prevailing plaintiffs who are subject of such allegations; creates presumption that statement by anonymous source is presumptively false; provides public figure does not need to show actual malice to prevail in defamation action.
Bill History
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2/21/2023 | House |
• Filed |
| 2/28/2023 | House |
• Referred to Civil Justice Subcommittee • Referred to Judiciary Committee • Now in Civil Justice Subcommittee |
| 3/7/2023 | House |
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 3/10/2023 | House |
• Added to Civil Justice Subcommittee agenda |
| 3/14/2023 | House |
• Favorable by Civil Justice Subcommittee • Reported out of Civil Justice Subcommittee • Now in Judiciary Committee |
| 5/5/2023 | House |
• Died in Judiciary Committee |
