JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday signed “Trey’s Law,” a bill that voids non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in cases involving child sexual abuse.
Starting Aug. 28, 2025, NDAs in such cases will be unenforceable under Missouri law.
The law is named after Trey Carlock, who died by suicide in 2019 after being sexually abused by Pete Newman at Kanakuk Kamps. Carlock’s family said he was bound by an NDA following a settlement, which contributed to his suffering.
“A lot of truth dies with people because of NDAs, and that only protects bad actors,” Trey’s sister, Elizabeth Carlock, testified earlier this year.
Another survivor, Keith Dygert, said his NDA prevented him from healing and learning the full extent of the abuse. “When victims are silenced, the truth is also silenced,” he said.
Newman, a former Kanakuk director, is serving two life sentences plus 30 years after pleading guilty in 2010 to seven counts of sexual abuse. Prosecutors believe his victims may number in the hundreds.
The bipartisan measure, introduced by Republican lawmakers, was passed with little opposition and included in a broader public safety package. That package also expands background check authority, streamlines licensing for law enforcement spouses, extends benefits for fallen officers’ families, and modernizes firework laws.
“Public safety remains one of our top priorities,” said Gov. Kehoe in a statement. “This bill supports law enforcement and gives a voice back to victims.”
Texas has passed a similar bill this session, and Tennessee banned such NDAs in 2018.
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