Missouri bills target nondisclosure agreements, statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) —Missouri lawmakers are considering two bills aimed at overhauling how child sexual assault cases are handled in the state.

Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hudson and Rep. Brian Seitz, both of Branson, the bills would eliminate nondisclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases and remove the statute of limitations, allowing survivors to file lawsuits at any time.

A House committee has unanimously approved the bills, which now await approval from a Senate committee.

Under current law, Missourians must file child sexual abuse cases against perpetrators by age 31 and against liable institutions by age 26.

However, most child sex crime victims don’t come forward until 20 years after the incident, according to Enough Abuse.

The bills are backed by dozens of child sexual abuse survivors, including Elizabeth Phillips, who lost her brother Trey Carlock six years ago.

Carlock died by suicide after being silenced by a nondisclosure agreement following his lawsuit against Kanakuk Kamps and Joe White.

Trey’s Law, named after Carlock, aims to ban nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements for child sexual abuse victims.

Tennessee is currently the only state to clarify the law on using NDAs in civil child sexual abuse and trafficking cases.

As of 2025, Trey’s Law has been filed in Texas and Missouri.