Senate Passed Bipartisan Bill Voiding NDAs for Child Sex Abuse Victims

The United States Senate recently passed bipartisan legislation that would make certain nondisclosure agreements unenforceable in child sexual abuse cases. Known as TREY’S Law, the bill targets non-disclosure agreements (NDA) provisions that prevent survivors from speaking publicly about abuse or facts related to it. The bill still must clear the House before it can become federal law. Still, passing the Senate with full support is a significant step. Here, our West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyer for victims provides a more comprehensive overview of the bill.

An Overview of the Proposed Legislation (TREY’S Law)

TREY’S Law would make certain nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements unenforceable when they prevent a survivor from discussing child sexual abuse or facts related to it. The bill is formally known as the Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements Act (TREY’S Law).

The purpose is narrow but important. The bill does not require a survivor to speak publicly. It does not force private settlement details into the open. Instead, it targets contract terms that give an abuser, institution, camp, school, church, employer, or other defendant legal leverage to keep a survivor silent about abuse. For many survivors, that distinction matters. Confidentiality can be a personal choice. Enforced silence is something different.

Why NDAs Can Be So Harmful in Abuse Cases

A nondisclosure agreement is a contract that restricts a person from sharing certain information with others. In abuse-related settlements, an NDA may try to prevent a survivor from speaking publicly about what happened, the people involved, or the facts surrounding the claim. Of course, NDAs can serve legitimate purposes in ordinary civil disputes. Still, in child sexual abuse cases they raise very serious concerns. Abuse often happens in secrecy. Predators may rely on isolation, shame, fear, and institutional protection. When a settlement agreement later threatens a survivor with legal consequences for speaking, the NDA can extend that silence long after the abuse ends.

TREY’S Law Seeks to Hold NDAs Unenforceable in Child Sex Abuse Cases

The bill is named for Trey Carlock, a Texas man who said he was sexually abused as a child at a summer camp and later bound by an NDA in a civil settlement. His story has become central to the push for reform because it shows how legal documents can compound trauma. Survivors may settle claims for many reasons: financial pressure, emotional exhaustion, a need for closure, or fear of trial. A settlement should not necessarily give the wrongdoer continuing control over whether the survivor can tell the truth about what happened.

Status Update as of May 2026: TREY’S Law passed the United States Senate by unanimous consent in May 2026 and now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

We are Strong Advocates for Victims in South Florida

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach sexual assault lawyers have the experience that victims and families can rely on. If you have any questions about pursuing a civil claim for sexual wrongdoing, we are here as a legal resource. Contact us at our West Palm Beach law office today to set up a free, no obligation initial consultation.