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.
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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H 951 Defamation Andrade Compare Last Action: 2/21/2023 H Withdrawn prior to introduction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)