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HR 966 112th Congress House

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011

Official title: To amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 8, 2011 See on congress.gov
Law Civil actions and liabilityJudicial procedure and administrationLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costs
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 8 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 21, 2011
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 114.
Jul 21, 2011
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-174.
Jul 7, 2011
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 13.
Jul 7, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 27, 2011
Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
Mar 9, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Mar 9, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 9, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 21, 2011

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 114.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011 - 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. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.

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that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets.

Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

Prohibits this Act from being construed as barring or impeding the assertion or development of new claims, defenses, or remedies under federal, state, or local laws, including civil rights laws, or under the Constitution.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 533 Identical bill Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 1
HERGER, WALLY
· May 5, 2011
 R
Calvert, Ken
California · Apr 8, 2011
GALLEGLY, ELTON
· Apr 7, 2011
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 966: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-966/
MLA
"H.R. 966: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-966/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 966, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-966/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 966: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-966/)
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