Bills pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session would prohibit nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving sexual abuse or human trafficking.
Sponsors of the bills say the legislation would ensure survivors can share their stories, if they choose to, without fear of repercussions.
Senate Bill 30 by Sen. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, and House Bill 93, by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, are part of a national effort to pass “Trey’s Law,” named for Trey Carlock. The Texas native was abused as a youth for several years at Kanakuk Camp in Branson, Missouri. Pete Newman, the camp leader convicted of abusing Carlock and others, was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison. Carlock then sued the camp and his civil case settlement included a restrictive NDA. Being silenced by the NDA led to Carlock’s 2019 suicide at age 28, his family has said.
Carlock’s sister, Elizabeth Phillips, is behind the Trey’s Law effort to enact state laws against NDAs in cases of sexual abuse. She’s previously said her because of the NDA, her brother was afraid to discuss his abuse even for therapeutic reasons.
“This legislation is a statement that survivors’ voices will no longer be lawfully silenced in Alabama’s civil courts,” Phillips said recently in a written statement. “We applaud Sen. Woods and Rep. Faulkner for championing a future where truth, healing and freedom of speech are protected victims’ rights.”
The legislation says, “any provision of a nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, employment agreement, settlement agreement, or any other type of agreement that prohibits an individual or entity from disclosing an act of sexual abuse or facts related to an act of sexual abuse to another individual or entity is void and unenforceable.”
The proposed law would apply to sexual assault and abuse crimes committed against adults and children and human trafficking crimes.
“Trey’s Law will dismantle the coercive power of NDAs in abuse settlements to ensure survivors are not silenced by perpetrators seeking to conceal their crimes,” Woods said. “By curtailing the misuse of NDAs, this legislation restores voice and agency to survivors and strengthens accountability in our legal system.”
If the bill becomes law it would be effective for any agreements entered into or amended on or after Oct. 1, 2026.
“In Alabama, we will protect our children,” Woods said. “And no sick predator will be allowed to hide behind a nondisclosure agreement.”
The 2026 legislative session starts Jan. 13.