HB 1092 Missouri House · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act"

HB 1092, titled the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act," creates a new legal process to dismiss lawsuits targeting public speech. It applies to civil cases involving communications in government proceedings, on public issues, or protected speech rights (like free press or assembly), directly affecting individuals, organizations, or media facing such lawsuits. The bill requires defendants to file a "special motion to dismiss" within 60 days of being sued, automatically pausing all court proceedings (including discovery) until the motion is decided. This aims to prevent lawsuits that could chill public debate by making it easier to quickly end cases focused on protected expression.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred: Judiciary(H)
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced
Introduced and Read First Time (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ben Keathley
Ben Keathley
RRepublican
MO
101