State of Missouri
Bill 709: Modifies Provisions Relating to Nondisclosure Agreements in Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases
Overview
Missouri House Bill 709 (HB 709) is a legislative effort to prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases of child sexual abuse. Introduced in January 2025 by Representative Brian Seitz, the bill seeks to prevent NDAs from being weaponized to silence survivors and protect abusers.
HB 709 was directly influenced by the Kanakuk Kamps scandal, one of the most notorious cases of child sexual abuse in the state’s history. Survivors and their families have long called for reforms, arguing that NDAs were used to cover up abuse and allow perpetrators to avoid accountability.
The Kanakuk Kamps Scandal and Its Influence on HB 709
For decades, Kanakuk Kamps, a Christian summer camp in Missouri, was considered a prestigious destination for children. However, the camp was rocked by scandal when Peter Newman, a former director, was convicted in 2010 for sexually abusing multiple campers.
What made the case even more disturbing was the camp's use of NDAs to prevent survivors and their families from speaking out. Many victims and their parents were reportedly pressured into signing legal agreements that prohibited them from discussing the abuse, effectively silencing them while Kanakuk continued operating without public scrutiny.
The exposure of Kanakuk’s handling of the abuse cases sparked outrage and led to calls for legislative reform. Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, whose brother Trey was a survivor of child sexual abuse, became one of the leading voices pushing for change, arguing that no child should be bound to secrecy about the harm they endured.
HB 709 was drafted in direct response to these concerns. Representative Seitz, whose district includes Branson, where Kanakuk Kamps is located, introduced the bill to ensure that NDAs could no longer be used to cover up child sexual abuse.
Key Provisions of HB 709
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Bans NDAs in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: The bill makes it illegal to enforce NDAs in any civil settlement involving child sexual abuse, ensuring survivors retain the right to speak about their experiences.
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Protects Future Victims: By preventing secrecy, the law aims to expose patterns of abuse and hold organizations accountable, rather than allowing them to quietly settle cases behind closed doors.
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Empowers Survivors: If passed, the bill would ensure that no survivor is legally forced into silence about their own abuse, providing them with the opportunity to seek justice and healing.
Why This Matters
Elizabeth Carlock Phillips has been one of the most outspoken advocates for this bill. After the loss of her brother Trey, who suffered abuse and later took his own life, she committed herself to eliminating the legal barriers that prevent survivors from speaking out.
“No child crime victim should be silenced about the harm they endured. The public needs to know who and where the bad actors are—and survivors hold that truth.”
The Kanakuk Kamps case was not just about one predator; it was about an institutional failure that allowed abuse to happen and then actively silenced those who tried to speak out. HB 709 is a direct response to these failures, ensuring that NDAs can never again be used to protect predators at the expense of victims.
Current Status
As of July 2025, HB 709 has successfully passed through all stages of the Missouri legislative process and is now law:
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Prefiled: January 2, 2025
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First Reading: January 8, 2025
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Second Reading: January 9, 2025
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Referred to Judiciary Committee: February 6, 2025
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Public Hearing Completed: February 26, 2025
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Executive Session Completed: March 5, 2025, with a unanimous "Do Pass" vote (10 AYES, 0 NOES)
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House Perfection and Printing: April 16, 2025
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Third Reading and Passed in House: April 18, 2025
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Passed by Senate: June 10, 2025
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Signed into Law by Governor Mike Parson: June 18, 2025
HB 709, now officially known as Trey’s Law, is in effect and prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse. The legislation marks a major milestone in the fight to protect survivors and end institutional secrecy.
Conclusion:
The passage of Trey’s Law is more than a legislative success—it’s a moral statement. Missouri has taken a decisive step to ensure that survivors of child sexual abuse can never again be silenced by legal agreements that prioritize reputations over justice.
Championed by Representative Brian Seitz and survivor advocate Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, this law was born out of pain, persistence, and the unshakable belief that survivors deserve to speak their truth. It sends a clear signal to institutions across the country: the era of silence is over.