Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Tuesday passed House Bill 42, which would make litigants and attorneys liable for damages if their claims are knowingly and recklessly false.

"House Bill 42 is designed to prevent frivolous lawsuits by requiring parties to a lawsuit and their attorneys to be truthful and responsible in their pleadings," said Representative Eldon Mulder, sponsor of HB 42. "If the claim is intentionally false, both attorney and the party can be assessed damages.

"Currently, Alaska law contains no effective way to hold parties responsible for frivolous holdings and claims," Mulder said. "These frivolous pleadings and claims increase the costs of litigation for all parties involved. These actions escalate the cost of justice in Alaska; they clog the courts and reduce the efficiency of the entire judicial process."

HB 42 passed the House 25-8.

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