Anti-SLAPP Laws by State
Anti-SLAPP statutes let defendants in lawsuits over protected speech move early for dismissal with fee-shifting. Coverage varies dramatically by state — some have robust statutes covering all protected speech, others have narrow statutes limited to public participation, and a handful have no statute at all.
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| State | Has Anti-SLAPP Statute | Scope | Mandatory Fee-Shifting | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Yes | Narrow — public participation in government proceedings | Discretionary | Ala. Code §§ 6-5-180 to 6-5-186 |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation and petition activity | Yes | Alaska Stat. §§ 09.65.400–09.65.425 |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right of petition or free speech | Yes | Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 12-751 to 12-752 |
| — | Yes | Broad — public interest communications and petitioning | Yes | Ark. Code Ann. §§ 16-63-501 to 16-63-508 |
| — | Yes | Broad — all protected speech and petitioning activity | Yes | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 425.16 |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation in government and speech | Yes | Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 13-20-1100 to 13-20-1110 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — petitioning activity before government bodies | Discretionary | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-196a |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation, government petitioning, free speech | Yes | Fla. Stat. §§ 768.295 |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right of petition or free speech | Yes | Ga. Code Ann. §§ 9-11-11.1 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — petitioning and public participation before government | Yes | Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 634F-1 to 634F-4 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — acts in furtherance of right to petition or speech | Yes | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 110/1–110/99 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation and petition activity | Yes | La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 971 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — petitioning before government bodies | Yes | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 556 |
| — | Yes | Broad — constitutional rights of speech and petition | Yes | Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. §§ 5-807 to 5-810 |
| — | Yes | Broad — petitioning and public participation | Yes | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, § 59H |
| — | Yes | Broad — acts in furtherance of right to petition government | Yes | Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 600.2907a |
| — | Yes | Broad — lawful conduct in furtherance of right to petition | Yes | Minn. Stat. § 554.01–554.05 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Narrow — statements made in connection with public participation | Yes | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 27-19-401 to 27-19-408 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — good-faith communications in furtherance of right to petition | Yes | Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 41.635–41.670 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — petitioning before government bodies | Yes | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507:8-c |
| — | Yes | Narrow — communications to government; limited coverage | Discretionary | N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2A:15-119 to 2A:15-124 |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right of petition or free speech | Yes | N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 38-2-9.1 to 38-2-9.2 |
| — | Limited | Narrow — public petition and participation before government bodies | Discretionary | N.Y. Civ. Rights Law §§ 70-a, 76-a |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation in government and exercise of free speech | Yes | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, §§ 1430–1440 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — statements or documents submitted to government bodies | Yes | Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 31.150–31.155 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — communications about matters of public concern to government | Yes | 27 Pa. Cons. Stat. §§ 7707–7714 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — statements made in connection with public participation | Yes | R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-33-1 to 9-33-4 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right to free speech, petition, association | Yes | Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 20-17-101 to 20-17-110 |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right to free speech, petition, or association (TCPA) | Yes | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ch. 27 (TCPA) |
| — | Yes | Broad — constitutionally protected free speech and petition activity | Yes | Utah Code Ann. §§ 78B-6-1401 to 78B-6-1405 |
| — | Yes | Narrow — petitioning and participation before government bodies | Yes | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 1041 |
| — | Yes | Broad — exercise of right to free speech, petition, or association | Yes | Va. Code Ann. §§ 8.01-223.2 |
| — | Yes | Broad — public participation and petition activity | Yes | Wash. Rev. Code §§ 4.24.500–4.24.525 |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | No | — | — | Common law; no specific statute |
| — | Yes | Broad — acts in furtherance of right of advocacy on issues of public interest | Yes | D.C. Code §§ 16-5501 to 16-5505 |
This table summarizes state anti-SLAPP statutes as of the last-updated date. Statutes are amended and new states adopt anti-SLAPP regimes regularly — always verify the current text and recent amendments before relying on any cell. This is legal information, not legal advice.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.