Committee advances "Trey’s Law" to void NDAs in child‑abuse settlements

Survivors and advocates told the Judiciary committee that House Bill 1187, nicknamed Trey’s Law, would remove legal barriers that have silenced victims of childhood sexual abuse.

"This bill does not force anyone to speak," survivor Chuck Wills told committee members, recounting abuse he said began when he was 6 and arguing that nondisclosure agreements protect institutions and abusers rather than survivors. Todd Ladeolos, director of policy and advocacy for the No More Victims Alliance, called the bill "critical," urging the panel to adopt the House's retroactivity provision that would nullify only the speech‑silencing clauses while leaving other settlement terms intact.

The author described an amendment the House Judiciary committee added to address a concern raised in that chamber and asked members for a favorable report. After brief procedural questions and four public witnesses who signed in opposition but testified in support, Senator Steele moved to pass the substitute, Senator Parent seconded, and the committee advanced the bill.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill will allow survivors to speak, seek mental‑health support, and help uncover institutional patterns that previously remained hidden. Proponents pointed to unanimous House passage and a growing national trend; Ladeolos noted similar measures in other states and federal proposals under consideration.

What happened next: The committee voted to advance the measure; the transcript records a motion to pass, a second, and a unanimous voice result to move the bill forward. No formal roll‑call names were recorded in the transcript.

The bill will proceed to the next legislative step in the chamber.