l9n/ Oregon

2025 Regular Session

Senate Bill 180

Provides that malice is an element of a defamation claim against an individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against the individual.

Became law as Chapter 275, Oregon Laws 2025, signed June 5, 2025, 143 days after it was filed. In force from January 1, 2026.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislative Assembly published with the bill.

<b>Digest: The Act says that a person making some defamation claims has to prove malice. The Act lets a defendant in some defamation claims bring a special motion to strike. (Flesch Readability Score: 69.5).</b> [<i>Digest: The Act says that a plaintiff may not sue a person who talks about certain bad behavior for defamation if the person has a reasonable belief that it happened. The Act says that the plaintiff has to pay the person's lawyer fees and sanctions. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.4).</i>] [<i>Provides that a person may not bring an action for defamation against an individual who, without malice, makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault, harassment or discrimination if, at the time of making the communication, the individual has a reasonable belief that sexual assault, harassment or discrimination occurred. Allows the prevailing defendant to recover attorney fees and provides for imposition of remedial sanctions against the plaintiff.</i>] <b>Provides that malice is an element of a defamation claim against an individual who makes a communication regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against the individual. Allows a defendant in a defamation action regarding an incident of sexual assault committed against an individual to bring a special motion to strike the defamation claim, under certain circumstances.</b>

Its course

January 13 to June 11, 2025, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action20 actions on 18 days

In the SenateJan 13 to Apr 1693 days

Waiting for a committeeJan 13 to Jan 174 days

JudiciaryJan 17 to Apr 1487 days

In the House of RepresentativesApr 16 to May 2741 days

Waiting for a committeeApr 16 to Apr 182 days

JudiciaryApr 18 to May 2133 days

With the GovernorMay 27 to Jun 59 days

Votes

Yeas to nays, as the Legislative Assembly recorded them. Committee votes are set in.

  • Senate, third reading28–0

    Passed · Apr 16 · 2 present

  • House of Representatives, third reading56–0

    Passed · May 27 · 3 present

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Apr 14

Text

Each version as the Legislative Assembly printed it.

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislative Assembly published it is below.

In the Senate Jan 13 – Apr 16

  1. Jan 13Introduced
  2. Jan 17Sent to Judiciary
  3. Feb 27Heard in Judiciary
  4. Apr 7Heard in Judiciary
  5. Apr 14Judiciary recommended it as amended
  6. Apr 15Read a second time
  7. Apr 16Passed the Senate, 28 to 0

In the House of Representatives Apr 16 – May 27

  1. Apr 16Arrived in the House of Representatives
  2. Apr 18Sent to Judiciary
  3. May 5Heard in Judiciary
  4. May 15Heard in Judiciary
  5. May 21Judiciary recommended it
  6. May 22Read a second time
  7. May 27Passed the House of Representatives, 56 to 0

To the Governor May 28 – Jun 11

  1. May 28Signed in the Senate
  2. May 29Signed in the House of Representatives
  3. Jun 5Signed by the Governor
  4. Jun 11Became chapter 275 of Oregon Laws 2025
  5. In force from January 1, 2026
All 20 actions, as published
  1. Jan 13Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  2. Jan 17Referred to Judiciary.Senate
  3. Feb 27Public Hearing held.Senate
  4. Apr 7Work Session held.Senate
  5. Apr 14Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)Senate
  6. Apr 15Second reading.Senate
  7. Apr 16Third reading. Carried by McLane. Passed.Senate
  8. Apr 16First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.House of Representatives
  9. Apr 18Referred to Judiciary.House of Representatives
  10. May 5Public Hearing held.House of Representatives
  11. May 15Work Session held.House of Representatives
  12. May 21Recommendation: Do pass.House of Representatives
  13. May 22Second reading.House of Representatives
  14. May 23Carried over to May 27, 2025 Calendar by virtue of adjournment.House of Representatives
  15. May 27Third reading. Carried by Mannix. Passed.House of Representatives
  16. May 28President signed.Senate
  17. May 29Speaker signed.House of Representatives
  18. Jun 5Governor signed.Senate
  19. Jun 11Chapter 275, 2025 Laws.Senate
  20. Jun 11Effective date, January 1, 2026.Senate