South Carolina

Grade: F

South Carolina does not have an anti-SLAPP law.

Note: South Carolina has no anti-SLAPP law. However, H.R. 3587 would protect acts in furtherance of the constitutional right to petition, including seeking relief, influencing action, informing, communicating, and otherwise participating in the processes of government.

The bill would provide that such petitioning acts are immune from civil liability, regardless of intent or purpose, except when the acts are not aimed at procuring a governmental or electoral action, result, or outcome. The bill would protect against any claim in a judicial proceeding if the claim is based on, relates to, or is in response to an act of the moving party in furtherance of the moving party’s rights under the Act.

As of 2/19/09, it is referred the Judiciary Committee in the South Carolina House.

South Carolina SLAPP Stories:

Featured

Apr 23, 2018

Free speech should include criticism of development, Mount Pleasant officials urge Statehouse

Apr 23, 2018

A developer sued a South Carolina town in 2016 over a zoning issue, and a few residents who had spoken critically about the development were subpoenaed for their comments on the matter. “The subpoenas demanded residents' communications, including Facebook and Twitter posts, to or from other residents of Simmons Pointe, the homeowners association, the town, elected officials, appointed members of the Board of Zoning Appeals and others.” Though the lawsuit settled, Mount Pleasant Town Council urged state lawmakers to pass the Citizens Participation in Government Act of 2018.