Monday morning, the Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed SB 835, known as “Trey’s Law.”
The bill was authored by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney and passed with a vote of 144-0 on third reading.
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The bill seeks to end the misuse of nondisclosure agreements— or NDAs—against sexual assault victims in civil settlement agreements.
It will now be sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for signature. When the bill reaches Gov. Abbott’s desk, he will have 20 days after Sine Die to act.
“Trey’s Law” is named after Trey Carlock, a Dallas native who took civil action against Kanakuk Kamps, a Christian-bases summer camp, after enduring abuse as a child from the camp’s director, Pete Newman.
Carlock’s civil case was settled and included a strict nondisclosure agreement. In 2019, Carlock took his own life.
Although “Trey’s Law” was introduced to focus solely on survivors of childhood crimes, the bill was broadened to apply to sexual assault and trafficking victims of any age after hearing testimony from victims.
The Texas’ Senate’s committee hearing, which can be watched in full here, featured testimony from survivors of sexual abuse, as well as advocates, and experts on the matter. Victims of abuse at religious summer camps and Boy Scout troops were among those who spoke.
Carlock’s older sister, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, also testified in support of the bill.
“I am proud to be Trey’s sister,” Phillips testified at a March 19 hearing on the House companion bill. “And I hope Texas will be proud of Trey’s Law.”
Cindy Clemishire, whose alleged abuser Robert Morris is facing child sex abuse charges, also testified in support of “Trey’s Law.”
“Because I refused to sign that NDA at 37, I am able to sit here today at 55 years old and share my story in hopes of helping others,” Clemishire said at the hearing.