HB 5078 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

CIV PRO-GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Summary
Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of a claim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to the moving party's reporting gender-based violence. Provides that if a court finds that the civil action is based on the moving party reporting gender-based violence, it shall grant a motion to dismiss the claim unless it finds that the responding party has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the moving party's reporting gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Provides that absent any additional corroborating evidence, specified pieces of evidence may not, on its own or in combination with each other, be used to establish that the moving party's reporting of gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Sets forth motion and procedure standards for a motion filed under the Article. Establishes awards for attorney's fees and costs, injunctive relief, and damages. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Protect Survivors Reporting Act. Effective immediately.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 16, 2026 Last action May 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 15, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was formatted and reorganized from an introduced draft to an engrossed version, adding specific procedural rules for how motions must be handled. The most significant substantive addition is a strict 90-day deadline for courts to rule on motions related to gender-based violence reporting, alongside new provisions for attorney fees and damages.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on civil actions involving gender-based violence reporting, but it now includes explicit procedural mandates for the judicial process.
TIMELINE

Added a mandatory 90-day deadline for courts to hold hearings and decide on motions filed under the new Article, with expedited appellate review if the deadline is missed.

ENFORCEMENT

Established new sections requiring courts to award attorney fees, costs, and injunctive relief to survivors who win their motion, and treble damages to defendants who successfully defend against the claim.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific rule that discovery (gathering evidence) must be suspended while the motion is pending, unless the court grants special permission.

TECHNICAL

Removed the list of specific evidence types (like lack of police reports or medical care) that cannot be used to prove a report was false, likely because these restrictions were intended to be part of a different section or were consolidated elsewhere.

Updated the bill header and page numbering to reflect its status as an 'Engrossed' version ready for final passage.

Floor votes · House Apr 15, 2026

How they voted

7630
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 116
Apr 15, 2026
D Democratic76
73 Yea 3
96% Yea
R Republican40
3 Yea 30 Nay 7
75% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
37
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 16, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 16, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 078-030-000
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
lower
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 011-007-000
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee
lower
Apr 10, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 10, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Mary Beth Canty
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 17 co-sponsors

Sponsors