New Jersey has finally joined the majority of states across the country in enacting anti-SLAPP legislation to combat lawsuits designed to silence individuals or organizations from public criticism and to protect the exercise of First Amendment rights.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed the bill (S-2802/A-4393) Thursday which provides for an expedited dismissal process and the award of reasonable attorney fees and litigation expenses to the party against whom the SLAPP suit was filed. A SLAPP suit, also referred to as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, is brought by individuals or entities to stop critics from making public statements against them, and can have the effect of chilling public commentary and undermining First Amendment rights.