A person shall be immune from civil liability for a violation of § 18.2-499 or a claim of tortious interference with an existing contract or a business or contractual expectancy based solely on statements made by that person at a public hearing before the governing body of any locality or other political subdivision, or the boards, commissions, agencies and authorities thereof, and other governing bodies of any local governmental entity concerning matters properly before such body. The immunity provided by this section shall not apply to any statements made with knowledge that they are false, or reckless disregard for whether they are false.Any person who has a suit against him dismissed pursuant to the immunity provided by this section may be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.

History

2007, c. 798; 2016, c. 239.