What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 This bill strengthens the sanctions provisions under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 11 establishes standards for pleadings, written motions, and other papers that are presented to a district court and establishes sanctions for an attorney, law firm, or party who does not comply with the standards. Under the Rule 11 standards, a pleading, written motion, or other paper must not be presented for an improper purpose and must make contentions that are reasonably supported by fact and law. Currently, the purpose of sanctions is to deter future violations of the Rule 11 standards. Rule 11 authorizes judges to impose sanctions on an attorney, law firm, or party who fails to comply with the standards; allows awards of compensation to an injured party only when necessary for effective deterrence; and requires a motion for sanctions to be served on a party 21 days before it is filed in court, creating a 21-day "safe harbor" within which a party may withdraw or correct a filing that allegedly violates Rule 11 standards. This bill amends Rule 11 to expressly state that the purpose of sanctions is to compensate the injured party as well as to deter future violations. The bill mandates sanctions for violations of the Rule 11 standards; requires sanctions to include compensation for the injured party for reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the violation, including attorneys' fees; and eliminates the 21-day safe harbor.
Action Timeline
2025-09-10
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
2025-09-10
Introduced in House
2025-09-10
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.5258 pass?
HR.5258 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.5258 do?
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 This bill strengthens the sanctions provisions under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 11 establishes standards for pleadings, written motions, and other papers that are presented to a district court and establishes sanctions for an attorney, law firm, or party who does not comply with the standards. Under the Rule 11 standards, a pleading, written motion, or other paper must not be presented for an improper purpose and must make contentions that are reasonably supported by fact and law. Currently, the purpose of sanctions is to deter fut…
Who sponsored HR.5258?
HR.5258 was sponsored by Mike Collins (R-Georgia).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 5258 IH: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5258 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 10, 2025 Mr. Collins (for himself, Mr. Gill of Texas , Mr. Tiffany , and Ms. Hageman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 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 2025 . 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.
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