Last week in Washington, D.C., Representatives Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Julie Johnson (D-TX) introduced a bill prohibiting the enforcement of confidentiality agreements that prevent sexual abuse survivors from speaking out.
Current federal law, like the Speak Out Act, limits pre-dispute NDAs in sexual abuse cases, but does not address confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements.
Trey’s law, named after Dallas native and child sex abuse survivor Trey Carlock, would ensure all survivors have a right to speak on their abuse, have access to courts, and have support in the investigation or prosecution of abuse without fear of civil liability.
“Survivors of child sexual abuse should be entitled to seek justice and speak freely about the tragedy they have faced, not be silenced and trapped by the law,” Rep. Gill said.
The law would apply to all agreements made at any point, which co-sponsor and Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-R) said is a crucial part of the legislation.
“If you were abused as a child, no contract, no matter when it was signed, can silence you,” Rep. Mace said. “We will always stand with survivors."
Rep. Johnson added that nondisclosure agreements not only silence survivors, but it also protects abusers.
“Trey’s Law is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring survivors and those with knowledge of abuse can speak freely,” Rep. Johnson said.
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX), as one of the bill’s three Texas co-sponsors, echoed a similar sentiment.
"NDAs should never be a shield for child abuse,” Rep. Gooden said. “Trey's law restores the voice of survivors to hold their abusers accountable."
In March, Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced Trey’s Law with bipartisan support and referral to the Judiciary Committee.
“No child who has endured sexual abuse should be forced to carry that horror in silence,” Sen. Cruz said. “I’m grateful to Reps. Brandon Gill and Julie Johnson for introducing this bipartisan bill in the House. I remain committed to seeing it advanced and signed into law.”
