State Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) announced on Wednesday he has prefiled legislation that would prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

The proposal, known as “Trey’s Law,” is intended to prevent NDAs from being used to silence victims and restrict public accountability in such cases.

“Trey’s Law aims to dismantle the coercive power of NDAs in abuse settlements, ensuring that survivors like Trey are not silenced by perpetrators seeking to conceal their crimes,” Woods said.

“By curtailing the misuse of NDAs, Trey’s Law restores voice and agency to survivors, fostering a just legal system where accountability is paramount. Trey’s Law not only honors Trey’s memory but also enacts critical changes for future generations. By spotlighting the misuse of NDAs, this legislative push seeks to cultivate a landscape where justice prevails, and victims feel heard and supported.”

The bill is named in memory of Trey Carlock, a Dallas community member with family ties to Alabama who died in 2019 at the age of 28. According to background materials provided with the legislation, Carlock’s civil case against Kanakuk Ministries ended with a restrictive nondisclosure agreement that limited public disclosure related to the abuse he and others experienced.

Background materials on the bill state that the NDA remained in place even after an investigation identified criminal conduct, a circumstance supporters say highlights how such agreements can limit transparency beyond protecting victims’ privacy.

Woods’ proposal would restrict the use of nondisclosure agreements that are included either as standalone provisions or as part of broader civil settlements in cases involving child sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Alabama lawmakers will return to Montgomery for the 2026 legislative session in January.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].