HB 1974

relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or
confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse
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
Sec. 129C.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "act of sexual
abuse" means conduct described by:
(1)  Section 261.001(1)(E), (F), (G), (H), (K), or (L),
(2)  one or more of the following penal laws:
(A)  indecency with a child under Section 21.11,
(B)  sexual assault under Section 22.011, Penal
(C)  aggravated sexual assault under Section
(D)  sexual performance by a child under Section
(E)  trafficking of persons under Section
20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), Penal Code; and
(F)  compelling prostitution under Section 43.05,
Sec. 129C.002.  CERTAIN PROVISIONS UNENFORCEABLE.  Any
provision of a nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement, or
nondisclosure or confidentiality provision of an employment
agreement, settlement agreement, or any other agreement is void and
unenforceable as against the public policy of this state to  the
(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 any 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
SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an
agreement entered into before, on, or after the effective date of
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.