Sec. 23. (a) For the purposes of this section, a party is "substantially justified" in initiating a civil action if the action had a reasonable basis in law or fact at the time the action was initiated.
(b) If:
(1) a person or entity referred to in section 22(c) of this chapter, or an employee or agent of a person or entity referred to in section 22(c), is the prevailing party in a civil action for libel, slander, or any other relevant tort arising out of the filing of a report or the furnishing of information under section 22(c) of this chapter; and
(2) the party who initiated the action was not substantially justified in initiating the action;
the person, entity, employee, or agent referred to in subdivision (1) is entitled to an award of attorney's fees and costs.
As added by P.L.121-1992, SEC.2.