This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 by modifying sections 2922b and 2922c to enhance legal protections for individuals who use or threaten to use deadly force or force other than deadly force in self-defense or in defense of another person. The amendments establish that such individuals are immune from civil liability for damages, including personal injury or death, resulting from their actions. Additionally, the bill introduces a presumption of immunity for individuals claiming this defense if certain conditions are met, such as a grand jury declining to indict or a prosecuting attorney not issuing a complaint against them.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that courts must award actual attorney fees, court costs, lost income, and other expenses to individuals sued for civil damages related to their use or threatened use of force, provided the court finds that the individual acted in compliance with the self-defense act and is immune from civil liability. The amendments take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to causes of action that accrue on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 600.2922