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HB 629

Civil Actions - Immunity - Disclosure of Allegations of Sexually Assaultive Behavior (Stop Silencing Survivors Act)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Bagnall Tudball and 11 co-sponsors

Maryland bill allows sexual assault survivors to publicly disclose settlement allegations despite confidentiality agreements, balancing survivor speech rights against accused privacy protections.

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 629

Legislative bill overview

HB 629 would limit non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and confidentiality clauses in civil settlements involving allegations of sexually assaultive behavior, allowing survivors to publicly disclose their experiences despite contractual restrictions. The bill seeks to prevent confidentiality agreements from silencing survivors of sexual assault while maintaining protections for accused parties' reputations and other legitimate confidentiality interests.

Why is this important

Sexual assault survivors have historically been contractually prevented from speaking about their experiences through settlement NDAs, which can shield perpetrators from public scrutiny and prevent pattern recognition across multiple victims. This bill directly addresses whether survivors' rights to speak outweigh contractual confidentiality obligations in cases involving sexual assault allegations.

Potential points of contention

  • Balancing survivor voice against accused rights: The bill prioritizes survivors' disclosure rights, but opponents argue it may harm the accused's privacy and reputation interests, particularly in unproven allegations settled without admission of wrongdoing
  • Definition and scope of "sexually assaultive behavior": Determining which allegations qualify and how broad the exemption extends could affect its practical application and unintended consequences
  • Impact on settlement negotiations: Removing confidentiality protections may discourage settlements, potentially leading to more trials or forcing survivors to pursue costly litigation rather than settling quickly

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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