Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017
United States115th CongressHR-720House of Representatives
Updated: Mar 13, 2017
Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Any sanction must compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. The bill removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. Courts may impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.
Bill texts
Timeline
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
House of Representatives
View voteOn passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
House of Representatives
View voteMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
House of Representatives
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate