Rep. Gill Protects Abuse Survivors’ Right to Justice

Washington, DC - Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX) today introduced Trey's Law, a bipartisan effort that prohibits enforcement of NDAs or confidentiality agreements that prevent victims or witnesses from disclosing child sexual abuse. This legislation strengthens protections for victims to ensure that child abusers cannot compel them into silence. Congresswoman Julie Johnson (D-TX) is the colead on this legislation.

The bill is named for Trey Carlock, a Dallas native who was sexually abused as a child at a summer camp, silenced by a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), retraumatized through litigation, and tragically died by suicide at age 28. Current federal law (the Speak Out Act) limits pre-dispute NDAs in sexual abuse cases but does not address confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements-leaving gaps for victims of child sexual abuse.

"Survivors of child sexual abuse should be entitled to seek justice and speak freely about the tragedy they have faced, not be silenced and trapped by the law," said Rep. Gill. "Trey's Law ensures that victims have the right to share their story and live without fear of retaliation. I am proud to join my colleagues in protecting brave voices."

Trey's Law applies broadly to all agreements-past, present, and future-and preempts state laws that allow enforcement of such provisions while permitting stronger state-level protections. The bill protects victims' rights to speak, access courts, and assist in investigations or prosecutions of abuse and trafficking without fear of civil liability.

On March 3, 2026, Senators Ted Cruz and Kirsten Gillibrand introduced Trey's Law with bipartisan support and referral to the Judiciary Committee.

"No child who has endured sexual abuse should be forced to carry that horror in silence," said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). "Non-disclosure agreements are too often used to protect abusers, with incalculable and catastrophic consequences for their victims. We owe it to Trey to ensure that victims have the right to speak about their experiences and that contracts are not used to silence survivors. I'm grateful to Reps. Brandon Gill and Julie Johnson for introducing this bipartisan bill in the House. I remain committed to seeing it advanced and signed into law."

"Trey Carlock's story is a heartbreaking reminder of how silence can be forced on survivors of abuse," said Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX). "No one, especially a child, should be bound by a nondisclosure agreement that protects abusers and prevents the truth from coming to light. TREY'S Law is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring survivors and those with knowledge of abuse can speak freely. I'm proud to help lead this bipartisan effort with Congressman Brandon Gill to protect survivors and prevent future harm."

"NDAs should never be a shield for child abuse," said Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX). "TREY's law restores the voice of survivors to hold their abusers accountable."

"No NDA should ever be used to cover up the sexual abuse of a child. Not ever," said Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC). "These agreements have been weaponized to silence victims and protect predators. Trey Carlock was silenced by an NDA, retraumatized through litigation, and died by suicide. His story is a tragedy no survivor should ever have to face. This is exactly why we cosponsored TREY'S Law. If you were abused as a child, no contract, no matter when it was signed, can silence you. We will always stand with survivors."

Cosponsors (4): Reps. Self, Mace, Gooden, Hunt

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