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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.

Effective Date: 7/1/2023
Last Action: 5/5/2023 House - Died in Judiciary Committee
Bill Text: PDF

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  • 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

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  • HB 991, Original Filed Version (Current Bill Version) Posted 2/21/2023 at 2:26 PM

    Bill Text:   PDF
    Analyses:   Civil Justice Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 3/14/2023 (pdf)

    Related Bills (2)

    Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills
    S 1220 Defamation and Related Actions Brodeur Similar Last Action: 5/5/2023 S Died in Rules
    H 951 Defamation Andrade Compare Last Action: 2/21/2023 H Withdrawn prior to introduction

    Citations - Statutes (11)

    Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help
    90.5015 Journalist’s privilege. Page 2 (pdf)
    720.304 Right of owners to peaceably assemble; display of flag; SLAPP suits prohibited. Page 8 (pdf)
    768.295 Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) prohibited. Page 10 (pdf)
    770.05 Limitation of choice of venue. Page 3 (pdf)
    770.08 Limitation on recovery of damages. Page 4 (pdf)
    770.09 Page 4 (pdf)
    770.105 Page 5 (pdf)
    770.11 Page 5 (pdf)
    770.12 Page 7 (pdf)
    770.13 Page 7 (pdf)
    770.15 Page 7 (pdf)

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