Connecticut lawmakers and witnesses spar over bill limiting nondisclosure agreements in workplaces

Senators and representatives heard extended testimony on SB 10‑35, a bill that would limit the use of nondisclosure agreements in cases of workplace harassment, discrimination, and abuse. Proponents said NDAs are often used to silence victims and enable repeat offenders; opponents argued the bill would prohibit voluntary agreements and make private settlements harder to achieve.

Senator Mae Flexer, a prime proponent, told the committee that NDAs routinely extend beyond trade secrets to cover misconduct that should be discussed publicly. "People don't realize that when they're signing an NDA, it also covers these other types of behavior like discrimination, like harassment, like workplace abuse," she said, pressing the committee to adopt a Washington‑style approach that removes silence as a condition of settlement.

Representative William Blumenthal, who co‑sponsors the bill, said the…