Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to provide greater legal protections for firearm manufacturers and retailers. Specifically, it aims to dismiss pending lawsuits against these entities, clarifies definitions related to firearms and their components, and establishes a process for removing lawsuits to federal court if they are deemed to be qualified civil liability actions. The bill also includes provisions regarding attorney’s fees and preempts state and local laws that could impose liability on firearm businesses.
Key provisions
- Immediately dismisses pending lawsuits against firearm manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations.
- Clarifies the definition of ‘engaged in the business’ related to firearms.
- Defines ‘proximate cause’ in the context of liability claims.
- Expands the definition of ‘qualified product’ to include components and accessories of firearms.
- Establishes a process for removing lawsuits to federal court if they are considered qualified civil liability actions.
- Specifies requirements for pleading claims based on exceptions to immunity.
- Grants prevailing defendants the right to attorney’s fees.
- Preempts state and local laws that could impose liability on firearm businesses.
Who is affected
- Firearm manufacturers
- Firearm retailers
- Trade associations of firearm manufacturers and retailers
Bill text
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Sponsors
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24 on record
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Cosponsors
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