Bill > HB748

This bill, known as Trey's Law, establishes that any nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement that prevents a person from disclosing an act of sexual abuse is void and unenforceable in Texas. The bill defines "act of sexual abuse" broadly, including various forms of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, trafficking, and other related criminal offenses as specified in the Texas Family Code and Penal Code. While the law invalidates provisions that silence victims, it does not prevent parties from keeping other aspects of a settlement agreement confidential, such as payment terms. The law applies retroactively to agreements entered before, on, or after its effective date, with the caveat that for pre-existing agreements, a person must first obtain a declaratory judgment confirming the provision is unenforceable. This legislation aims to protect victims by ensuring they can speak openly about sexual abuse without fear of legal repercussions from confidentiality agreements. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving entities time to prepare for the change.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB748