Banning Non-Disclosure Agreements in CSA Settlements: Trey’s Law Map
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Banning Non-Disclosure Agreements in CSA Settlements: Trey’s Law
Non-Disclosure Agreements, or NDAs, are contracts where one or more parties agree to keep certain information confidential. An NDA prevents a person who has signed it from discussing information included in the agreement with others. NDAs become ethically and legally controversial when used in the context of child sexual abuse (CSA).
Survivors are often compelled to sign NDAs as part of settlement agreements with individuals or institutions held responsible for the abuse. In some cases, these individuals and institutions, e.g. schools, churches, or youth organizations accused of abuse require victims or their families to sign NDAs as a condition for receiving treatment services. These agreements stop them from speaking about their abuse, the abuser, or the institution involved.
NDAs perpetuate child sexual abuse by silencing victims, suppressing evidence and patterns of abuse, and keeping communities unaware of ongoing risks. Many high-profile celebrities accused of sexual assault have used NDAs to protect themselves. To learn more about this issue, read our blog on how NDAs perpetuate abuse.
Trey Carlock’s Story
Trey Carlock was sexually abused during his childhood and teen years by Pete Newman, the long-time director at Kanakuk Kamps, a Christian summer camp in Missouri. Later in life, Trey sought legal recourse and filed a civil lawsuit against Kanakuk. He eventually settled, but the agreement required him to sign an NDA, silencing him from publicly speaking about his experience. Trey explained to his family that his inability to speak out made his recovery so much harder. Tragically, in 2019, at the age of 28, Trey died by suicide.
In response to this tragedy, the advocacy organization, Trey’s Law was founded by his family and now works for the elimination of NDAs in all child sexual abuse cases, through bills named “Trey’s Law.”
State-Level Reform Efforts: Trey’s Law
The Children’s Justice Campaign at Enough Abuse has worked in states alongside the Trey’s Law organization to advocate for the elimination of NDAs in child sexual abuse cases. To date, only seven states have passed laws prohibiting the use of NDAs in civil cases involving sexual assault survivors. Legislation is currently pending in seven more states (as of June 2026).
In 2016, California passed Assembly Bill No. 1682 barring the use of NDAs in settlement agreements involving felony sexual offenses, CSA, and sexual assaults against vulnerable adults. It also authorizes disciplinary measures against attorneys who employ such NDAs. The California law explicitly covers settlement agreements signed before that date.
In 2018, Tennessee passed House Bill 2523, invalidating NDAs in CSA claims and guaranteeing that any personal identifying information about CSA victims, including their status as victims, would remain confidential.
In 2025, Texas enacted Trey’s Law, or Senate Bill 835, which stops NDAs from silencing survivors moving forward and also applies retroactively to cancel NDAs that are currently operating.
In 2025, Missouri passed Senate Bill 81 boosting protections for CSA victims and stating that NDAs for CSA cases would not be enforceable after August 28, 2025. This law voids any current NDAs as well.
In 2026, Alabama passed bill SB30, which prohibits NDAs in civil cases involving sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking; it only applies to agreements entered into, executed, or amended on or after October 1, 2026. It is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
In 2026, Georgia passed HB1187, which renders NDAs void and unenforceable with respect to acts of childhood sexual abuse; applies retroactively to agreements entered before the law’s effective date.
In 2026, Louisiana passed SB185, which renders NDAs void and unenforceable with respect to acts of child sexual abuse as a matter of public policy; applies retroactively to agreements entered before the law’s effective date.
State Legislation Prohibiting the Misuse of NDAs in CSA Settlements: Map
This interactive map from Trey’s Law (the organization) tracks these laws as they are filed or introduced. This information is also shared in the Enough Abuse map below.
Select a state on the interactive map below to learn the details of their version of Trey’s Law.