H.R. 758 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 187 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 758 [Report No. 114–246] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 5, 2015 Mr. Smith of Texas (for himself, Mr. Goodlatte, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Farenthold, and Mr. Chabot) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary September 8, 2015 Additional sponsors: Mr. Chaffetz and Mr. Buck September 8, 2015 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015. 2. Attorney accountability (a) Sanctions under rule 11 Rule 11(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking may and inserting shall; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking Rule 5 and all that follows through motion. and inserting Rule 5.; and (3) in paragraph (4), by striking situated and all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting situated, and to compensate the parties that were injured by such conduct. Subject to the limitations in paragraph (5), the sanction shall consist of an order to pay to the party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred as a direct result of the violation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. The court may also impose additional appropriate sanctions, such as striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, or other directives of a non-monetary nature, or, if warranted for effective deterrence, an order directing payment of a penalty into the court.. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall be construed to bar or impede the assertion or development of new claims, defenses, or remedies under Federal, State, or local laws, including civil rights laws, or under the Constitution of the United States. September 8, 2015 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed