The Safeguarding Honest Speech Act, also known as Bill 118 s 3318, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to protect individuals from being sued for expressing their opinions or engaging in political speech.
The bill aims to prevent frivolous lawsuits that are brought against individuals who are exercising their First Amendment rights. It seeks to establish a legal standard that would make it more difficult for plaintiffs to successfully sue someone for defamation or libel based on their opinions or political speech.
Under the Safeguarding Honest Speech Act, plaintiffs would be required to prove that the defendant acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth in order to win a defamation lawsuit. This higher standard of proof is intended to protect individuals from being silenced or punished for expressing their opinions, even if those opinions are controversial or unpopular.
Overall, the Safeguarding Honest Speech Act is designed to uphold the principles of free speech and protect individuals from being targeted by lawsuits simply for expressing their beliefs. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to safeguard the rights of individuals to engage in honest and open discourse without fear of legal repercussions.