Bill HF3571, SF3529

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to civil law; allowing attorney fees to be awarded in defamation actions
1.3          related to sexual harassment and assault;proposing coding for new law in
1.4          Minnesota Statutes, chapter 548.
1.5          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6          Section 1. [548.065] DEFAMATION; ATTORNEY FEES.
1.7          A prevailing defendant in a defamation or libel action, which includes as one part of the
1.8          claim that the defendant made a communication, without malice, regarding an incident of
1.9          sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination, shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees
1.10       and costs for successfully defending themselves in the litigation. The court may award treble
1.11       damages because of the harm caused by the defamation or libel action against them in
1.12       addition to any other relief available under the law.

1.13       EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2024, and applies to actions
1.14       adjudicated on or after that date.