Trey’s Law: Missouri’s Bold Stand to End the Silence Around Child Sexual Abuse

State Legislature of Missouri

On June 19, 2025, Missouri passed one of the most significant pieces of child protection legislation in its history. Known as Trey’s Law, House Bill 709 bans the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in civil settlements involving child sexual abuse. It is a law rooted in tragedy, driven by survivor advocacy, and passed with rare bipartisan support. But the story of Trey’s Law—and what it means for Missouri and the nation—began long before it reached the governor’s desk.

The legislation was born from the devastating legacy of Kanakuk Kamps, a Christian summer camp in Branson, Missouri. Once considered a wholesome destination for families, the camp came under scrutiny when former camp director Pete Newman was convicted in 2010 of sexually abusing multiple children. What made the scandal even more disturbing was the pattern that emerged after the convictions: parents and survivors had been pressured into signing NDAs, legally binding agreements that silenced them from ever speaking about the abuse. For years, this legal secrecy protected the institution while shielding perpetrators from public accountability.

One of those impacted was Trey Carlock. Trey had attended Kanakuk Kamps and was a survivor of abuse. His sister, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, has publicly described the unbearable toll that silence took on her brother—and how the use of NDAs made healing impossible. After Trey’s tragic death, Elizabeth became a relentless advocate for change. She pushed for laws that would ensure no survivor would ever again be forced to keep their trauma in the shadows. In Missouri, she found willing allies.

Representative Brian Seitz, a Republican from Branson, introduced HB 709 in January 2025. Branson is home to Kanakuk Kamps, and Seitz understood both the local and national implications of the issue. The bill proposed something radical but deeply necessary: it would render any NDA unenforceable if it related to a civil settlement involving the sexual abuse of a child. In essence, it guaranteed survivors the right to speak their truth—no matter what had been signed.

The bill quickly gained momentum. On February 26, 2025, a public hearing was held in the House Judiciary Committee. Survivors, advocates, and legal experts testified in favor. On March 5, the committee unanimously advanced the bill with a 10–0 vote. A few weeks later, on April 18, the Missouri House of Representatives passed the bill. It was then taken up in the Senate, where it continued to receive widespread support from both sides of the aisle. Senators Jamie Burger, Kurtis Gregory, and Brad Hudson championed the bill in the upper chamber.

On June 10, 2025, Trey’s Law passed the Missouri Senate. Governor Mike Parson signed the bill into law on June 18. The law will take effect on August 28, 2025. From that day forward, NDAs will be unenforceable in any civil settlement involving child sexual abuse in the state of Missouri.

The passage of Trey’s Law is more than a legislative win—it is a moral statement. It tells survivors that their stories matter, that their right to speak cannot be signed away, and that protecting abusers behind legal contracts is no longer acceptable. It places Missouri at the forefront of a growing national movement to rethink how the legal system interacts with survivors of childhood trauma.

Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, whose advocacy has been the heart behind this effort, said it best: “A lot of truth dies with people because of NDAs, and that only protects bad actors.” Trey’s Law ensures that survivors’ truths no longer die in silence.

For Missouri, this law represents a shift from institutional protectionism to survivor empowerment. For the rest of the country, it offers a clear path forward. Trey’s Law was made possible because people demanded better—for their children, their communities, and the generations to come. Other states now have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to follow Missouri’s lead.

Read more on our legislation page.