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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to publication of certain matters in certain media that |
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are privileged and not grounds for a libel action. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 73.002(a), Civil Practice and Remedies |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The publication by a newspaper, Internet website, |
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weblog, or other periodical of a matter covered by this section is |
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privileged and is not a ground for a libel action. This privilege |
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does not extend to the republication of a matter if it is proved |
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that the matter was republished with actual malice after it had |
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ceased to be of public concern. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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libel action brought on or after the effective date of this Act, |
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regardless of the date on which the libel occurred. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |