Text of proposed federal anti-SLAPP legislation.
Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 — S. 449 (.pdf); H.R. 1304 (.pdf)
Would create a Federal cause of action to determine whether defamation exists under United States law in cases in which defamation actions have been brought in foreign courts against United States persons on the basis of publications or speech in the United States. Introduced by Senator Specter (R-PA) on February 13, 2009, and by Representative King (R-NY) on March 4, 2009, respectively.
Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 — S. 448 (.pdf); H.R. 985 (.pdf)
To maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media. Introduced by Senator Specter (R-PA) on February 13, 2009, and by Representative Boucher (D-VA) on February 11, 2009, respectively. H.R. 985 passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote on March 31, 2009.
Recognizing the "national scope of the problems created by the legitimate fears of volunteers about frivolous, arbitrary, or capricious lawsuits," this law limits the liability of volunteers of nonprofit organizations and government agencies. However, a state may elect not to have the law apply in its own courts. A bill proposing limitations on liability for volunteers was first proposed in 1987 by Rep. John Porter (R-IL) and reintroduced in each session of Congress since then, until it was enacted in 1997.
Tracking Bills in Congress: THOMAS, a resource of the Library of Congress, provides extensive online materials and search capabilities. These include the full text of bills and their status, searchable by key word or bill number; the Congressional Record, searchable by key word; digests and legislative history of bills and amendments, searchable by keyword, sponsor name, or committee; and a summary of "hot" legislation.