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Read. Follow. Verify.Mississippi Senate Bill 2381 Establishes Uniform Public Expression Act to Protect Free Speech and Dismiss Strategic Lawsuits
Last action · February 3, 2026: 02/03 (S) Died In CommitteeSponsor: Brice Wiggins
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What This Bill Proposed
Senate Bill 2381 enacts the Uniform Public Expression Act, allowing individuals to file a to dismiss civil lawsuits that target constitutionally protected speech, petitioning, assembly, or association on matters of public concern. The measure mandates an immediate on all other court proceedings and discovery once the motion is filed, requires a hearing within sixty days, and directs courts to award costs and attorney's fees to the prevailing party under specified conditions.
Defendants facing civil claims arising from public communications or government proceedings gain the right to halt active litigation, seek expedited dismissal, and potentially recover attorney's fees if successful. Plaintiffs bringing such claims face stricter evidentiary burdens and the risk of paying defense costs if their suit is deemed frivolous.
- State legislatures occasionally consider uniform acts modeled on model legislation designed to deter strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as anti-SLAPP laws. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Defendants in civil actions involving public communications
Defendants gain the right to file an expedited motion to dismiss, stay discovery, and recover attorney's fees if they prevail.
Plaintiffs filing civil claims related to public communications
Plaintiffs face mandatory stays of discovery, stricter evidentiary burdens to defeat dismissal motions, and potential liability for defense costs if their claims are found frivolous.
Key Facts
- Senate Bill 2381 creates the Uniform Public Expression Act, applying to civil actions based on communication in government proceedings or the exercise of free speech, press, assembly, petition, or association.
- The act does not apply to civil actions brought by governmental units enforcing laws to protect public health or safety, or actions against commercial entities selling goods or services arising from those sales.
- A party may file a special motion for expedited relief to dismiss a cause of action not later than sixty days after being served with a pleading.
- Filing the special motion automatically stays all other proceedings between the moving and responding parties, including discovery and pending hearings.
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- The court must hold a hearing on the special motion not later than sixty days after its filing, unless a later hearing is ordered for limited discovery or other good cause.
- The court must dismiss with prejudice a cause of action if the moving party shows the act applies, the responding party fails to show exceptions apply, and the responding party fails to establish a prima facie case.
- A moving party may appeal as a matter of right from an order denying the motion, to be filed within twenty-one days after entry of the order.
- The court must award court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and litigation expenses to a prevailing moving party, or to a responding party if the motion was frivolous or filed solely to delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of lawsuits does this act cover?
What happens to a lawsuit once a special motion to dismiss is filed under this act?
Who is responsible for paying attorney's fees if a motion is granted or denied?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 3, 2026Senate02/03 (S) Died In Committee
- Jan 19, 2026SenateCommittee01/19 (S) Referred To Judiciary, Division A
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Introduction of Uniform Anti-SLAPP Framework
The bill establishes standardized procedures for expedited dismissal of civil actions involving public petition and free speech, introducing mandatory discovery stays and fee-shifting provisions.
Connected Entities
Sources
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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