From Matt Fair at LAW 360:
"The Pennsylvania Senate threw its overwhelming support on Tuesday to legislation that would authorize monetary penalties for plaintiffs found to have filed so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP suits, designed to stifle criticism against businesses and developers.
Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Philadelphia, said that the legislation he sponsored would not only require courts to quickly hold hearings to determine a potential SLAPP suit’s legitimacy but also allow targets of frivolous litigation to recover damages.
“No person or organization should be taken to court by someone just because their pockets are deeper than the defendant’s. That’s not what our judicial system is about and it’s not what it will be once my bill is signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf,” Farnese said."
Read more from Law 360 here.