Latest news with #SB835
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Trey's Law' Ends Nondisclosure Protections For Sexual Predators
(Texas Scorecard) – Legislation to stop secret settlements in sex abuse cases is headed to the governor's desk after receiving unanimous support in the Texas Senate and House. Senate Bill 835 by State Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney), known as 'Trey's Law,' prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements that protect predators and silence victims of sexual abuse. Trey's Law is named after Trey Carlock, who took his own life after being silenced by an NDA following childhood sexual abuse. 'This is a critical step forward for justice, transparency, and the protection of future victims,' said Paxton in a statement following final passage of SB 835 on May 26. 'For too long, powerful institutions and individuals have used NDAs as a tool to cover up abuse and silence the voices of those they've harmed,' she said. 'Trey's Law ensures that survivors can speak their truth—and abusers and those who enable them can no longer hide behind legal loopholes.' SB 835 renders unenforceable any nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to sexual abuse and includes a list of crimes considered acts of sexual abuse. The bill applies to any type of contract or agreement entered into before, on, or after the bill's effective date. SB 835 also requires a court order to enforce any existing NDA that conceals sexual abuse. Agreement terms such as the victim's identity and settlement amounts may remain confidential, but the identity of the perpetrator cannot be concealed. 'Trey's Law honors the life of Trey Carlock by empowering others to break their silence, seek justice, and protect future victims,' added Paxton. 'Texas is sending a powerful message: the truth should never be hidden—and survivors will no longer be silenced by legal documents designed to protect predators.' Once Gov. Greg Abbott receives SB 835, he will have 20 days after the legislature's final adjournment on June 2 to sign or veto the bill, or take no action and allow Trey's Law to become Texas law on September 1.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas bans nondisclosure agreements in sex abuse cases
The Brief A bill that would ban nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse cases is heading to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Senate Bill 835, nicknamed "Trey's Law," bans NDAs in civil cases that prevent a person who was sexually abused from speaking out about the abuse. The law applies to cases also involving a child or trafficking. The bill would take effect on Sept. 1 if signed into law. AUSTIN, Texas - A bill banning the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse cases is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Senate Bill 835, nicknamed "Trey's Law," bans NDAs in civil cases that prevent a person who was sexually abused from speaking out about the abuse. The law applies to cases also involving a child or trafficking. "This is a critical step forward for justice, transparency, and the protection of future victims," Sen. Angela Paxton, the bill's author, said. "For too long, powerful institutions and individuals have used NDAs as a tool to cover up abuse and silence the voices of those they've harmed." Paxton said the bill allows abuse survivors to "speak the truth." The backstory The bill was named after Trey Carlock, a Dallas man who killed himself after he was groomed and sexually abused as a kid at a summer camp. Carlock had pursued a civil lawsuit to seek damages for his abuse but was forced to sign an NDA for the settlement. What they're saying "Trey's Law honors the life of Trey Carlock by empowering others to break their silence, seek justice, and protect future victims," Paxton said. "Texas is sending a powerful message: the truth should never be hidden - and survivors will no longer be silenced by legal documents designed to protect predators." Plano Republican Jeff Leach, who authored the House version of the bill, took to social media after the bill passed. "Trey's Law is a truly historic victory for survivors and victims and a death blow for their perpetrators hiding in the shadows," Leach said. The woman who accused Gateway Church founder Robert Morris of sexually abusing her as a child testified during a committee meeting in March that she was offered a settlement and asked to sign a NDA. Cindy Clemishire said she was offered a $25,000 settlement but refused to sign the NDA. She said the decision ultimately allowed her to get justice 40 years later. "Because I refused to sign the NDA at age 37, I can sit here now at age 55 and share my story and be the voice for so many people," Clemishire said. What's next The bill now heads to Abbott's desk and if it's signed, the law will take effect on Sept. 1. The Source Information on SB 835 comes from the Texas Legislature. Comments from Sen. Paxton and Rep. Leach come from statements made on X. Comments made in committee come from previous FOX 4 coverage.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas Lege down to the wire: No NDAs in sex abuse case, yes to film incentives, ban on THC
With the 2025 legislative session heading into its final week, lawmakers spent much of the Memorial Day weekend in the Capitol in the homestretch push to either pass the hundreds of bills waiting in the queue or risk seeing them die when the final gavel falls on June 2. Here's a roundup of some the weekend's top action. Legislation to ban the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault civil cases moved a step closer to being enacted with the House unanimously passed Senate Bill 835, called "Trey's Law" and named for an abuse victim from Dallas who took his own life. Trey Carlock, who at age 28 died by suicide in 2019. Carlock suffered 10 years of abuse at the hands of serial pedophile Pete Newman, who was found guilty of molesting at least 57 victims while he was a counselor at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Mo. State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, is the House sponsor of the legislation authored by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney. The preliminary House vote came Sunday and the vote to send it to Abbott's desk was cast Monday. Leach called SB 835, "One of the strongest bills for sexual abuse survivors and victims anywhere in this country. We cannot back down now, and we will not back down ever," he said. The Lone Star State will throw its hat into the filmmaking ring with the House's passage of Senate Bill 22, which would create a $300 million Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive fund, on Monday. Lawmakers in the lower chamber approved a lower allocation than did the Senate, which set aside half of a million dollars in taxpayer funds for the initiative. The tax breaks are meant to entice Hollywood types to bring productions to Texas and hire workers from within the state. Democratic state Rep. Jolanda Jones, who competed in the show "Survivor: Palau" in 2005, said her city of Houston lost a film studio to Louisiana because that state has approved incentives that Texas does not yet have. "This bill is about job growth and keeping Texas competitive," Jones said. Two of Texas' most well-known movie stars, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, came to the Capitol several times to urge passage of the bill. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made the bill, authored by Republican Sen. Joan Huffman, of Houston, a priority. More: Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey and others testify on Senate Bill 22 at Texas Capitol The proposal passed 114-26, with hardline Republicans voting against it. It now heads back to the Senate, where the allocation amount could be negotiated. The sweeping ban on the sale and consumption of intoxicating hemp products is now in the hands of Gov. Greg Abbott after the Senate late Sunday accepted the changes made to a piece of legislation that was central this year's agenda of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Senate Bill 3 specifically targets presently legal products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the substance that creates the "high." Patrick has said the proliferation of retail outlets across Texas and the possibility that minors might be able to purchase products containing THC made the passage of the legislation crucial to public safety. More: Is THC in Texas going up in smoke? House OKs ban, averting showdown with Senate Veterans organizations, however, were among the most vocal opponents of SB 3, saying the over-the-counter available of the products are useful alternative to opioids and other medications that help former service members deal with lingering injuries and post-traumatic stress dating back to their years in uniform. Selling and consuming non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive cannabinoids known as CBD and CBG would remain legal under SB 3. Abbott's office has not weighed on whether the governor plans to sign the bill. This is a developing report. Please check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Highlights from the Texas Legislature as end of session nears
