Missouri bill aims to make it easier to dismiss lawsuits that punish public criticism

By: Jason Hancock

Outlets: Missouri Independent

Published: May 29, 2026

Words: 966

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

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A Missouri bill awaiting action from Gov. Mike Kehoe would give judges broader power to quickly dismiss lawsuits designed to chill speech, replacing what supporters have long described as among the weakest anti-SLAPP laws in the country.

The legislation, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Mike Henderson of Desloge, would repeal Missouri’s current anti-SLAPP law and replace it with the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, a model statute meant to curb lawsuits filed to intimidate …

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