Alabama Legislature Unanimously Advances Trey’s Law
Bills to ban nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking cases clear both chambers with unanimous votes
Alabama lawmakers took a rare unanimous step this week by advancing Trey’s Law through both the Senate and House, moving these landmark bills toward final passage in the 2026 legislative session.
Senate Bill 30 and House Bill 93 — authored by Senator Matt Woods (R-District 5) and Representative David Faulkner (R-District 46) — cleared their originating chambers without a single dissenting vote. The Senate approved SB 30 by 29-0, and the House followed with a 98-0 vote on HB 93. Both measures now head to the opposite chamber, where each has been referred to their respective Judiciary Committees.
The bills would bar the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in civil settlements involving sexual abuse, assault and human trafficking. Supporters say this change ensures survivors can speak openly without fear of legal consequences. Under the current draft, the ban would apply to NDAs entered into, executed or amended on or after Oct. 1, 2026.
On the Senate floor, Sen. Woods, according to a statement from TreysLaw.org, quoted Trey’s Law founder Elizabeth Phillips, saying NDAs have been misused as “essentially lawful hush money … institutional abuse on top of sexual abuse. NDAs are a legal mechanism that were created to protect trade secrets, not trauma secrets.”
Lawmakers from both sides praised the bipartisan effort. Sen. Vivian Figures (D-District 33) told colleagues that allowing survivors to share their stories helps them heal and can protect others.
In the House, Rep. Faulkner shared the story behind the legislation. The bill is named for Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused as a youth and later silenced by a civil settlement NDA. Carlock died by suicide at age 28 after saying to a therapist, “They will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”
Rep. Susan DuBose (R-District 45) echoed the call to end silence around abuse. “We need to end the silence, expose these abusers, and protect children,” she said, thanking Faulkner for sponsoring the bill.
Supporters of Trey’s Law point to successful passage of similar laws in other states, including Texas and Missouri, where NDAs in child sexual abuse cases have been ruled unenforceable under state law.
If the Alabama bills pass final legislative approval and are signed by the Governor as expected, Alabama will join a growing national movement aimed at giving survivors the legal freedom to tell their own stories and promote public safety.
