State senators Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) introduced Senate Bill 237, which protects the First Amendment rights of Ohioans, according to a news release. The Uniform Public Expression Protection Act establishes a judicial process to prevent meritless lawsuits that attempt to intimidate individuals for exercising their Constitutional rights, the release said. Senate Bill 237 curtails strategic lawsuits against public participation. These lawsuits aim to stop a person or group from using their First Amendment rights when discussing public issues, the release said. SLAPP lawsuits often are time-consuming and expensive. The average cost of defending one of these cases is $39,000, but can often skyrocket, the release said. “(Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) lawsuits can create chaos in the lives of people who are simply exercising their First Amendment rights, including victims,” Manning said in the release. “Senate Bill 237 will establish a way to combat these meritless lawsuits early in the process so Ohioans can retain their Constitutional rights, money, and precious time.” “Ohioans and all Americans have the basic right to freedom of speech as protected by our First Amendment. Unfortunately, these rights and our judicial system’s integrity are under attack by frivolous lawsuits,” Gavarone said in the release. “(Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) cases directly harm people by burdening them with expensive legal bills and taking up months if not years of their lives. Senate Bill 237 will give Ohioans their rights and their lives back.” SB 237 creates an expedited process to have these lawsuits dismissed if they meet the criteria of a SLAPP case. The bill also allows a defendant to recoup attorney fees and other court fees if the case is dismissed. So far, 33 states and the District of Columbia have anti-SLAPP laws in place.