Texas bans nondisclosure agreements in sex abuse cases
AUSTIN, Texas - A bill banning the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse cases is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.
Trey's Law
Senate Bill 835, nicknamed "Trey's Law," bans NDAs in civil cases that prevent a person who was sexually abused from speaking out about the abuse. The law applies to cases also involving a child or trafficking.
"This is a critical step forward for justice, transparency, and the protection of future victims," Sen. Angela Paxton, the bill's author, said. "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."
Paxton said the bill allows abuse survivors to "speak the truth."
The backstory:
The bill was named after Trey Carlock, a Dallas man who killed himself after he was groomed and sexually abused as a kid at a summer camp.
Carlock had pursued a civil lawsuit to seek damages for his abuse but was forced to sign an NDA for the settlement.
What they're saying:
"Trey's Law honors the life of Trey Carlock by empowering others to break their silence, seek justice, and protect future victims," Paxton said. "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."
Plano Republican Jeff Leach, who authored the House version of the bill, took to social media after the bill passed.
"Trey’s Law is a truly historic victory for survivors and victims and a death blow for their perpetrators hiding in the shadows," Leach said.
The woman who accused Gateway Church founder Robert Morris of sexually abusing her as a child testified during a committee meeting in March that she was offered a settlement and asked to sign a NDA.
Robert Morris' alleged victim supports bill to ban NDAs in sex abuse cases
In an effort to no longer silence victims of sexual abuse, Texas lawmakers voted 10-0 to move forward with a bill that would end the abuse of non-disclosure agreements.
Cindy Clemishire said she was offered a $25,000 settlement but refused to sign the NDA. She said the decision ultimately allowed her to get justice 40 years later.
"Because I refused to sign the NDA at age 37, I can sit here now at age 55 and share my story and be the voice for so many people," Clemishire said.
What's next:
The bill now heads to Abbott's desk and if it's signed, the law will take effect on Sept. 1.
The Source: Information on SB 835 comes from the Texas Legislature. Comments from Sen. Paxton and Rep. Leach come from statements made on X. Comments made in committee come from previous FOX 4 coverage.