| Subgrades | |
| Covered Speech: | A+ |
| Anti-SLAPP Protections: | A+ |
| Subscores | |
| Covered Speech: | 100 out of 100 points |
| Anti-SLAPP Protections: | 100 out of 100 points |
| Detailed Scoring on Anti-SLAPP Protections | |
| Suspension of Court Proceedings Upon an Anti-SLAPP Motion: | 20 of 20 points |
| Burden of Proof on Plaintiff to Defeat an Anti-SLAPP Motion: | 12 of 12 points |
| Right to an Immediate Appeal: | 25 of 25 points |
| Award of Costs and Attorney Fees: | 40 of 40 points |
| Expansive Statutory Interpretation Instruction to Courts: | 3 of 3 points |
State Anti-SLAPP Statute
In May 2025, Iowa became the 38th state to provide its residents with anti-SLAPP safeguards when it enacted a statute closely modeled after the ULC’s Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA).[1] By deterring meritless suits designed to silence speech, Iowa has created an environment where citizens can more confidently participate in public discourse without fear of devastating legal intimidation.
Before this legislation, Iowa did not have an anti-SLAPP law, earning an “F” grade in this report. Under the new law, individuals targeted by potential SLAPP lawsuits can file an anti-SLAPP motion in court, temporarily freezing the case and allowing a judge to quickly dismiss frivolous lawsuits. This early evaluation mechanism prevents the use of lengthy, expensive litigation for intimidation and harassment – a tactic often employed by wealthy and connected individuals or organizations to silence critics.
[1] H.J. 1226, https://perma.cc/HA35-NVZ5.
