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Baptist News Global [Jacksonville FL]
May 20, 2026
By Mallory Challis
This year’s legislative session has marked more victories for Trey’s Law bills across the states.
Similar bills, which nullify the use of nondisclosure agreements in child sex abuse, sexual assault and trafficking cases, were signed into law in Alabama (SB-30) and Georgia (HB-1187). In Louisiana (SB-185), a bill passed and awaits the governor’s signature.
Alabama’s version of Trey’s law will be effective for agreements entered on or after Oct. 1 this year. In Georgia and Louisiana, the law will be retroactive, meaning survivors who entered NDAs in the past are no longer required to remain silent.
In Georgia, Trey’s Law was one of two bills passed in support of sexual abuse survivors. Along with HB-1187, the Georgia Legislature also passed the Clergy Sexual Abuse Accountability Bill (SB-542) which criminalizes sexual abuse committed by clergy who exploit their position of spiritual authority, even when victims are at or above the age of consent.
In all three states, Trey’s Law garnered bipartisan support — as has been the case in every jurisdiction in which it has been filed.
As of today, versions of Trey’s Law (or equivalent legislation) have passed in seven states. The bills are named for Trey Carlock, who was a victim of child sexual abuse at Kamp Kanakuk and died by suicide related to his despair over an NDA that silenced him.
In addition to these state-level victories, a federal version of Trey’s Law (S-3966) continues to gain momentum as an increasing bipartisan group of congressmembers sign on as co-sponsors. The federal bill, officially titled the “Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements” law, recently received unanimous approval from the Judiciary Committee and heads to the U.S. Senate floor.
The federal version aims to set a baseline to protect survivors from NDAs, which states may strengthen if desired.
In Illinois (HB-5749), Trey’s Law awaits a committee referral, and in Ohio (HB-723), the bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and awaits a hearing.
There are also a few states in which Trey’s Law was filed, but despite bipartisan support and an immense amount of testimony from survivors, their families, advocates and community members, did not become law this session.
Notably, Oklahoma’s combined piece of legislation known as the “Cindy Clemishire Act” (HB-4227 and SB-740) died last Friday after the Oklahoma Senate adjourned without calling the bill to a floor vote. The bill included both Trey’s Law and criminal statute of limitations reform for civil child sexual abuse and trafficking cases,
Versions of Trey’s Law also were filed in Kansas (HB-2688), Kentucky (HB-608), Mississippi (HB-1141) and West Virginia (SB-941), but died at various points of the legislative process.
Advocates of Trey’s Law have pledged to continue fighting in the next session for more states to approve, pass and sign into law versions of the bill as a matter of both public safety and freedom of speech. Their social media posts echo the refrain, “the fight isn’t over.”