Senate Bill 666 aims to adopt the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA) in Wisconsin, providing legal protections for individuals involved in civil actions related to public expression. The bill allows defendants to file an expedited special motion to dismiss claims based on their communications in governmental proceedings or their exercise of constitutional rights concerning public issues. The court is required to hold a hearing on such motions within 60 days and must stay all related proceedings, including discovery, until a ruling is made. If the court finds in favor of the moving party, it must dismiss the cause of action with prejudice, while also allowing for appeals and the awarding of costs and attorney fees.

The bill introduces new statutory language, specifically creating section 802.065, which outlines the scope and procedures for the special motion to dismiss. It defines key terms such as "governmental unit" and "person," and specifies the types of communications that are protected under this law. Additionally, it clarifies that the protections do not apply to certain actions against governmental entities or those primarily engaged in selling goods or services. The amendments to section 802.06 include provisions for how motions related to public expression should be handled, ensuring that the legal framework supports the expedited dismissal of frivolous claims while safeguarding the rights of individuals to engage in public discourse.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 802.06(2)(b), 802.06