relative to retaliatory defamation in domestic violence and sexual violence cases.

HB 580 prohibits accused individuals from filing defamation lawsuits against victims who report sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, or related incidents. It protects victims who disclose these incidents to authorities, employers, social media, or others, making such lawsuits generally invalid unless the victim retracted the report or the accusation was factually impossible. The law allows defamation claims only if the accused proves the report was impossible or the victim publicly denied the incident. Victims who win such cases can recover court costs, legal fees, and additional damages. This applies to reports made under New Hampshire's domestic violence laws (RSA 173-B).