HB911: HB911 Torts; prohibit individuals from bringing defamation actions against another individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination; provisions

25 LC 62 0211 House Bill 911 By: Representative Cummings of the 39th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 5 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to libel and slander,1 so as to prohibit individuals from bringing defamation actions against another individual who2 makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sex3 discrimination when that individual believed such incident to have occurred; to provide for4 attorney's fees and costs for a prevailing defendant; to provide for related matters; to repeal5 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 Chapter 5 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to libel and slander,9 is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:10 "51-5-13.11 (a) An individual shall not bring an action pursuant to this c hapter against another12 individual who makes a communication without malice regarding a n incident of sexual13 assault, sexual harassment, or sex discrimination if, at the ti me of making the14 communication, the communicating individual has a reasonable belief that sexual assault,15 sexual harassment, or sex discrimination occurred.16 H. B. 911 - 1 - 25 LC 62 0211 (b) A prevailing defendant in an action brought in violation of subsection (a) of this Code17 section is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees, expenses of litigation, and costs."18 SECTION 2.19 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.20 H. B. 911 - 2 -