Missouri State Senator Brad Hudson presented two bills meant to fight child sexual abuse, according to a newsletter sent via email.

The newsletter is below:

This week I had the chance to present two of my bills to the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, both of which deal with child sexual abuse.

SB 589 would eliminate the statute of limitations for civil cases related to child sexual abuse. The current statute of limitations in Missouri requires that child sexual abuse survivors file their cases by age 31 if against the person who abused them, and by age 26 if the case is against an institution that facilitated their abuse. This is not enough time for these kids to come to terms with the abuse they endured. By assigning an arbitrary statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, we are siding with abusers and perpetrators over survivors, and making Missouri a sanctuary state for pedophiles. This. Must. End.

SB 590, which we are referring to as “Trey’s Law,” in honor and memory of Trey Carlock, would eliminate the use of nondisclosure agreements in civil settlement agreements for child sexual abuse cases. Nondisclosure agreements are legal mechanisms that were created to protect trade secrets, NOT trauma secrets. The use of NDAs in child sexual assault cases legally silence survivors.

We had dozens of child sexual abuse survivors testify in favor of this important legislation, and I'm grateful to all of them for sharing their powerful stories. Yesterday's hearing was the continuation of a journey started and championed by State Representative Brian Seitz in the House over 3 years ago, and I am honored to join in the fight with him here on the Senate side. We must protect the innocence of our children, and hold accountable those who would prey on our most vulnerable. Yesterday was a first step, but there is much more to come.

That’s it for this week, but as always, it is a pleasure to serve you.