On Wednesday, April 16th, the Iowa Senate unanimously passed House File 472, which provides anti-SLAPP protections against lawsuits aimed at limiting the constitutional freedoms of speech and press. The Senate amended the legislation to state the protections only apply to civil actions filed on or after the bill’s enactment, removing a provision in the original House bill that expedited relief could also be granted to a “cause of action asserted in a civil action.” Iowa’s House of Representatives had previously passed several anti-SLAPP bills with bipartisan support; however, these bills did not progress through the Senate. The current bill will return to the House for a vote on the amendment before being sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.
Members of the News/Media Alliance staff have contributed to this post.