# Plain Language Summary: The Speak Out Act

The Speak Out Act makes it illegal for companies to use secret agreements that prevent people from speaking publicly about sexual assault or harassment they've experienced. Right now, many employers, schools, and other organizations require workers or students to sign contracts that include "non-disclosure agreements" or "non-disparagement clauses." These are legal clauses that say if something bad happens to you, you can't talk about it publicly—not to the media, not on social media, not even to friends. If you break the agreement, the company can sue you. This bill says those particular clauses are no longer enforceable when they're used to silence people about sexual misconduct.

The practical effect is straightforward: if you experience sexual assault or harassment at work or school, no contract can legally force you to stay quiet about it. You can speak to journalists, post about your experience online, testify in court, or tell anyone you want without fear of being sued by your employer or the organization involved. The bill doesn't prevent companies from having confidentiality agreements in general—they can still protect other types of business secrets. It just carves out an exception specifically for sexual misconduct cases, recognizing that silencing victims protects wrongdoers and prevents accountability.

This affects millions of workers and students who have signed employment or enrollment agreements. It's particularly important for people in industries like entertainment, hospitality, and corporate workplaces where non-disclosure agreements are common. The bill essentially says that protecting victims' ability to speak out about sexual misconduct is more important than allowing organizations to keep these incidents completely private.

Speak Out Act

Gillibrand, Kirsten E.

Speak Out Act This bill prohibits the judicial enforceability of a predispute nondisclosure clause or predispute nondisparagement clause in a sexual assault dispute or sexual harassment dispute involving conduct that allegedly violates federal, tribal, or state law.