COLUMBUS, Ohio — Legislation introduced in the Ohio House aims to expedite legal actions involving protected speech, proposing significant changes to the state’s legal landscape.
House Bill No. 637, sponsored by Representatives Forhan and Stewart and co-sponsored by Representatives Hillyer, Plummer, Klopfenstein, Gross, and Click, seeks to amend and add new sections to the Revised Code under the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act.
The bill includes amendments to Section 2505.02 and introduces sections 2747.01 to 2747.06. These amendments define key terms such as “substantial right” and “special proceeding,” detailing scenarios where court orders can be reviewed or altered, particularly in cases involving free speech protections.
If enacted, the legislation would mandate courts to expedite motions to dismiss civil actions or claims related to communications in governmental proceedings or matters of public concern. It sets specific timelines for hearings on such motions and outlines procedures for awarding attorney’s fees and costs contingent on the motion’s outcome.
Additionally, the bill allows for stays of proceedings and restricts discovery during the adjudication of these motions, aiming to streamline legal processes associated with protected speech.
Named the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, the legislation would apply to all civil actions filed on or after its effective date. It emphasizes broad interpretative powers for courts to ensure consistency with similar laws in other states.
Should it pass, the bill would repeal the current Section 2505.02 of the Revised Code, establishing a comprehensive framework to safeguard public expression rights in Ohio.
