Bill to change state’s anti-SLAPP law survives with revisions

After being declared dead, that bill to weaken the state’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) law has reared its ugly head.

According to the Las Vegas newspaper, a version of Senate Bill 444 was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, albeit a much less draconian version.

This version restores the “clear and convincing” standard for having a lawsuit dropped, instead of the bill’s previous standard of “prima facie,” changes some deadlines and allows some discovery at the motion to dismiss stage. It also restores a $10,000 award for those wrongfully sued.

It is still an unnecessary tampering with a strong law. The Senate, which the prior version unanimously, would have to agree with the changes, and there is not much time left.