1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Citizen Participation Act of 2020 . 2. Findings The Congress finds and declares that— (1) the framers of our Constitution, recognizing participation in government and freedom of speech as inalienable rights essential to the survival of democracy, secured their protection through the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; (2) the communications, information, opinions, reports, testimony, claims and arguments that individuals, organizations and businesses provide to the government are essential to wise government decisions and public policy, the public health, safety, and welfare, effective law enforcement, the efficient operation of government programs, the credibility and trust afforded government, and the continuation of America’s representative democracy; (3) civil lawsuits and counterclaims, often claiming millions of dollars in damages, have been and are being filed against thousands of individuals, organizations, and businesses based upon their valid exercise of the rights to petition or free speech, including seeking relief, influencing action, informing, communicating, and otherwise participating with government, the electorate, or in matters of public interest; (4) such lawsuits, called Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or SLAPPs, are often ultimately dismissed as groundless or unconstitutional, but not before the defendants are put to great expense, harassment, and interruption of their productive activities; (5) it is in the public interest for individuals, organizations and businesses to participate in matters of public concern and provide information to public entities and other citizens on public issues that affect them without fear of reprisal through abuse of the judicial process