Legislation to stop secret settlements in sex abuse cases is headed to the governor’s desk after receiving unanimous support in the Texas Senate and House.
Senate Bill 835 by State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney), known as “Trey’s Law,” prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements that protect predators and silence victims of sexual abuse.
Trey’s Law is named after Trey Carlock, who took his own life after being silenced by an NDA following childhood sexual abuse.
“This is a critical step forward for justice, transparency, and the protection of future victims,” said Paxton in a statement following final passage of SB 835 on May 26.
“For too long, powerful institutions and individuals have used NDAs as a tool to cover up abuse and silence the voices of those they’ve harmed,” she said. “Trey’s Law ensures that survivors can speak their truth—and abusers and those who enable them can no longer hide behind legal loopholes.”
SB 835 renders unenforceable any nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to sexual abuse and includes a list of crimes considered acts of sexual abuse.
The bill applies to any type of contract or agreement entered into before, on, or after the bill’s effective date.
SB 835 also requires a court order to enforce any existing NDA that conceals sexual abuse.
Agreement terms such as the victim’s identity and settlement amounts may remain confidential, but the identity of the perpetrator cannot be concealed.
“Trey’s Law honors the life of Trey Carlock by empowering others to break their silence, seek justice, and protect future victims,” added Paxton. “Texas is sending a powerful message: the truth should never be hidden—and survivors will no longer be silenced by legal documents designed to protect predators.”
Once Gov. Greg Abbott receives SB 835, he will have 20 days after the legislature’s final adjournment on June 2 to sign or veto the bill, or take no action and allow Trey’s Law to become Texas law on September 1.
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