SB 1587
Bill voids gag clauses on reporting child sexual abuse
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse committed against a child.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Reaches agreements already signed. Survivors can name the alleged offender.
The bill makes void any clause in a nondisclosure, employment, settlement or other agreement that stops someone from reporting child sexual abuse to police or regulators, or from telling anyone the facts, including who the alleged offender is. It touches anyone who signed or relies on such an agreement, including employers, institutions and abuse survivors, and it reaches agreements signed before the law takes effect. Starting September 1, 2025, those gag clauses cannot be enforced in Texas courts.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Feb 24, 2025 and referred to the Senate State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-SB1587 · 2025-02-24
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse committed against a child.
WHAT IT DOES
Reaches agreements already signed. Survivors can name the alleged offender.
The bill makes void any clause in a nondisclosure, employment, settlement or other agreement that stops someone from reporting child sexual abuse to police or regulators, or from telling anyone the facts, including who the alleged offender is. It touches anyone who signed or relies on such an agreement, including employers, institutions and abuse survivors, and it reaches agreements signed before the law takes effect. Starting September 1, 2025, those gag clauses cannot be enforced in Texas courts.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to State Affairs
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“is void and unenforceable as against the public policy of this state”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill strips legal force from contract gag clauses so people can speak about child sexual abuse without being sued for breach.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Top donors to Texans for Kelly Hancock SPAC during his Senate service. Not tied to this bill.
Sources
Gifts to Texans for Kelly Hancock SPAC dated July 1, 2024 to June 18, 2025, while he served in the Senate.
Derived from itemized gifts. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
MoneyMissing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Feb 24, 2025
03/10/2025 S Referred to State Affairs
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Companion
HB 748 by Leach (identical)
HB 1974 by Cook (similar)
Subjects
Charitable & Nonprofit Organizations
Civil Remedies & Liabilities
Crimes--Against Persons--Sexual
Education--Primary & Secondary--General
Minors--Crimes Against
TREY'S LAW (PO3E1)
CHILD ABUSE
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
PROSTITUTION
SEXUAL ABUSE
Text
The text as introduced · 318 words
89R4591 AMF-D By: Hancock S.B. No. 1587 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse committed against a child. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 129C to read as follows: CHAPTER 129C. AGREEMENTS PROHIBITING DISCLOSURES REGARDING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Sec. 129C.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Act of sexual abuse" means conduct described by one or more of the following penal laws: (A) indecency with a child under Section 21.11, Penal Code; (B) sexual assault under Section 22.011, Penal Code; (C) aggravated sexual assault under Section 22.021, Penal Code; (D) sexual performance by a child under Section 43.25, Penal Code; (E) trafficking of persons under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), Penal Code; and (F) compelling prostitution under Section 43.05, Penal Code. (2) "Child" means a person younger than 17 years of age. Sec. 129C.002. CERTAIN PROVISIONS UNENFORCEABLE. Any provision of a nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement, employment agreement, settlement agreement, or any other agreement is void and unenforceable as against the public policy of this state to the extent the provision: (1) prohibits a party from notifying, or limits the party's ability to notify, a local or state law enforcement agency or any state or federal regulatory agency of an act of sexual abuse committed against a child; or (2) prohibits a party from disclosing to any person, including during any related investigation, prosecution, legal proceeding, or dispute resolution, facts surrounding any act of sexual abuse committed against a child, including the identity of the alleged offender. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an agreement entered into before, on, or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.