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Bill

S 4175

Provides for the award of attorney fees in actions under the human rights law

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Parker

Bill S 4175 allows courts to award attorney fees to winning parties in human rights cases, reducing financial barriers and encouraging individuals to seek justice.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 4175

Summary of Bill S 4175

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: S 4175
  • Title: Provides for the award of attorney fees in actions under the human rights law
  • Status: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
  • Introduced On: February 03, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill S 4175 is to amend existing human rights law to allow for the awarding of attorney fees to prevailing parties in legal actions. This change aims to enhance access to justice for individuals who pursue claims under human rights statutes, thereby encouraging the enforcement of these laws.

Key Provisions

  • Attorney Fees Award: The bill proposes that courts may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in actions brought under the human rights law. This provision is intended to alleviate the financial burden on individuals who seek to assert their rights in cases of discrimination or other human rights violations.

  • Eligibility Criteria: While the bill does not specify detailed eligibility criteria for the awarding of attorney fees, it implies that prevailing parties—those who win their cases—would be entitled to recover their legal costs.

Impact

  • Affected Parties:

    • Individuals: Victims of discrimination or human rights violations may benefit from this bill as it lowers the financial barriers to pursuing legal action.
    • Legal Practitioners: Attorneys may see an increase in cases brought under human rights law, as the potential for recovering fees could incentivize more individuals to seek legal representation.
    • Organizations: Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups focused on human rights may also be positively impacted, as they often assist individuals in these legal matters.

  • Legal System: The bill could lead to an increase in litigation under human rights laws, potentially resulting in more case law and precedents that could further shape the interpretation and enforcement of these laws.

Procedural Aspects

  • Current Status: As of February 3, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Investigations and Government Operations Committee for further consideration. The timeline for subsequent actions, such as hearings or votes, has not yet been established.

Related Legislation

Bill S 4175 is part of a broader legislative context, with several related bills from prior sessions, including:
- S 2380
- S 3492
- S 2261
- S 4085
- S 3323
- S 5767

These related bills may address similar issues or provide additional context for the ongoing legislative efforts surrounding human rights law.

This summary provides an overview of Bill S 4175, highlighting its intent, key provisions, and potential impacts on individuals and the legal system. Further developments will be monitored as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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