A new bill moving through the Georgia Legislature has stirred strong emotion at the state Capitol. The measure would stop legal agreements that have kept survivors of childhood sexual abuse silent after they win settlements. Supporters say this change would give victims the power to speak freely about their trauma and help protect children in the future.
The bill, known as Trey’s Law, advanced unanimously through a key House committee. Its journey marks a significant shift in how the state treats legal silence clauses in abuse cases and puts Georgia in line with several other states that have taken similar action. Inside the Capitol and across the state, survivors, families and lawmakers are urging action before it reaches a full vote.
What Trey’s Law Would Change in Georgia
Trey’s Law is aimed at banning nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements that cover childhood sexual abuse. These agreements are often included when survivors settle lawsuits but come with strict terms that prevent them from discussing what happened.
Under House Bill 1187:
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Settlements that aim to hide the facts of childhood sexual abuse would be legally unenforceable.
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Victims would retain the right to talk about the abuse they suffered.
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Personal identifying information of survivors would stay protected in public settings.
Georgia’s Republican lead sponsor of the bill, Representative Soo Hong, said the current use of nondisclosure agreements forces survivors to choose between financial recovery and speaking their truth. The bill’s goals are to help expose abusers, stop harmful secrecy and prevent future harm.
A Legacy Behind the Law
The bill is named in memory of Trey Carlock, a man from Georgia whose life story has deeply influenced the movement. As a child, Carlock was abused at a Missouri summer camp. He later pursued a lawsuit against those responsible, but the settlement included a confidentiality clause. That clause legally barred him from speaking publicly about his abuse.
Carlock’s sister, Elizabeth Phillips, has been an outspoken advocate for change. She told legislators that her brother never got full justice or public accountability for what he suffered and that being silenced caused deep emotional harm. Carlock died by suicide in 2019, and his family attributes his ongoing struggle to not being allowed to tell his story.
Supporters of the bill say Trey’s story represents countless other survivors whose voices have been legally shut down. Empowering survivors to share their experiences, they argue, can help healing and prevent future abuse.
Why NDAs in Abuse Cases Have Drawn Criticism
Nondisclosure agreements started as tools for companies to protect trade secrets or confidential business data. Over time, they became common in many legal settlements and employment contracts. A large percentage of Americans encounter NDAs in some form during their careers.
But when NDAs are used in childhood sexual abuse settlements, critics say the consequences can be severe. Survivors are prevented from speaking out about their abuse, which can prolong trauma and stop the public from knowing about patterns of misconduct.
Advocates for Trey’s Law have pointed out that secrecy clauses:
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Silence survivors from sharing their stories publicly or with support networks.
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Protect abusers and negligent institutions from accountability.
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Keep harmful behavior hidden from other potential victims.
Experts in mental health and trauma have told Georgia lawmakers that having the ability to speak openly is a key part of healing and breaking cycles of abuse. The fear of legal consequences from NDAs can leave survivors feeling isolated and powerless.
Growing Support Across States
Georgia is not alone in considering this kind of reform. Versions of Trey’s Law have already passed in California, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. Efforts are underway in other states including Alabama, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Support for these laws reflects a broader trend toward limiting the use of NDAs that silence survivors. Lawmakers and advocacy groups in different states are increasingly pushing for statutes that ensure survivors can speak about abuse without fear of legal reprisal.
Some legal observers say that banning harmful NDAs in civil cases aligns with trends seen at the federal level. For example, the Speak Out Act passed in 2022 limits the enforceability of certain NDAs in workplace sexual harassment cases. But that law does not fully cover situations where NDAs are signed as part of settlement deals after abuse is alleged.
What Supporters and Opponents Say
Supporters argue that Trey’s Law is about justice and safety for children:
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Survivors should not be forced into silence as part of their recovery.
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Open dialogue can lead to better public awareness and prevention.
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Legal secrecy protects abusers and institutions, not victims.
Lawmakers who back the bill have also discussed procedural questions, like how existing NDAs should be handled. Some committee members proposed judicial review before enforcing older agreements, to balance fairness with survivors’ rights.
Opposition to the bill, although not widely reported in Georgia, often centers on concerns that banning confidentiality clauses could affect settlement negotiations and complicate legal processes in civil disputes.
What Happens Next at the Capitol
Trey’s Law has cleared the House Judiciary Committee and is now poised for a vote in the full House of Representatives. If it passes there, it could move to the Georgia Senate and then to the governor’s desk. Governor Brian Kemp has previously highlighted the issue as a priority in his State of the State address.
The outcome could influence future legal protections for survivors and shape how other states approach similar reforms.
Georgia lawmakers are under pressure from a wide coalition of survivors, faith leaders, mental health professionals and child safety advocates to act swiftly. For many, this bill represents more than policy. It represents dignity, healing and a chance to change how abuse and accountability are handled in civil courts.
In the end, this legislation could not only affect legal procedures but also help survivors find their voice and reclaim control of their stories.
