|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to certain defenses to libel actions. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 73.005, Civil Practice and Remedies |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 73.005. TRUTH A DEFENSE. (a) The truth of the |
|
statement in the publication on which an action for libel is based |
|
is a defense to the action. |
|
(b) In an action brought against a newspaper or other |
|
periodical or broadcaster, the defense described by Subsection (a) |
|
applies to an accurate reporting of allegations made by a third |
|
party regarding a matter of public concern. |
|
(c) This section does not abrogate or lessen any other |
|
remedy, right, cause of action, defense, immunity, or privilege |
|
available under the Constitution of the United States or this state |
|
or as provided by any statute, case, or common law or rule. |
|
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
to accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or |
|
broadcaster made on or after the effective date of this Act. The |
|
accurate reporting by a newspaper or other periodical or |
|
broadcaster made before the effective date of this Act is governed |
|
by the law applicable to the accurate reporting immediately before |
|
that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |