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Committee advances ‘Trey’s Law’ to bar NDAs that silence child‑abuse survivors
Summary
After survivor testimony, the Civil Law Committee reported Senate Bill 185 favorably. The bill would make nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements unenforceable when they prevent victims of child sexual abuse from speaking about their experiences.
Senator Trey Presley’s Senate Bill 185 — called “Trey’s Law” by supporters — was reported favorably by the Civil Law Committee after emotional testimony from survivors and questions from lawmakers.
The bill would prohibit nondisclosure agreements in civil settlement agreements that prevent victims of child sexual assault from speaking about their abuse. Presley told the committee the measure is intended to stop defendants and institutions from using NDAs to silence victims, citing Trey Carlock’s case as part of a national movement to restore survivors’ voices.
"Trey was silenced to his grave," said Elizabeth Phillips, who identified herself as Trey Carlock’s sister and testified she came from Dallas to press the point that NDAs retraumatized victims and insulated organizations that harmed children. "NDAs were designed to protect trade secrets, not trauma secrets. We must give victims their voices back so that they can heal and freely warn others of potential harm." (Elizabeth Phillips, testimony)
Jillian Edwards Coburn, testifying for herself and describing her work as a trauma‑informed advocate, said NDAs re‑victimize survivors and asked lawmakers to adopt an objective standard preventing forced silence. "Silencing survivors through NDAs or similar mechanisms perpetrates harm and delays accountability," she said. (Jillian Edwards Coburn, testimony)
Committee members asked technical questions about whether banning NDAs would affect a victim’s ability to recover damages; Senator Presley and colleagues said the bill targets civil settlement provisions that have the effect of suppressing a child survivor’s speech and does not foreclose civil recovery. Presley said the measure applies only to claims involving children and that he would work with members on statutory fit and case‑law questions.
Representative Roseanne Taylor moved to advance the bill; with no objection, the committee reported SB185 favorably for further legislative action.
The committee did not take a recorded roll‑call vote on the report; minutes show the motion passed by consensus. The next procedural step is consideration by the committee of jurisdiction and any floor action required to place the constitutional amendment or related statutory language before voters or subsequent chambers.
