“I just signed the Speak Out Act, a bill that’ll enable survivors to speak out about workplace assault and harassment and increase access to justice,” President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter on December 7, 2022. The bipartisan Speak Out Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent on September 29 and the House on November 16 with a roll call vote of 315-109. The Act applies to claims filed on or after December 7, 2022.
The Act limits the enforcement of predispute nondisclosure and nondisparagement clauses relating to sexual assault and sexual harassment claims. Under the Act, a nondisclosure clause is “a provision in a contract or agreement that requires the parties to the contract or agreement not to disclose or discuss conduct, the existence of a settlement involving conduct, or information covered by the terms and conditions of the contract or agreement.” Nondisparagement clause means “a provision in a contract or agreement that requires 1 or more parties to the contract or agreement not to make a negative statement about another party that relates to the contract, agreement, claim, or case.” The Act provides: “with respect to a sexual assault dispute or sexual harassment dispute, no nondisclosure clause or nondisparagement clause agreed to before the dispute arises shall be judicially enforceable in instances in which the conduct is alleged to have violated Federal, Tribal, or State law.” As set forth in similar state legislation, the Act specifically states that state or local laws that are “at least as protective of the right of an individual to speak freely, as provided by this Act” remain enforceable, as do provisions that protect trade secrets or proprietary information, which often form the basis for such clauses.
The Act comes just months after President Biden signed, on March 3, 2022, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act. That bipartisan law amended the Federal Arbitration Act and curbs the use of predispute arbitration agreements for sexual assault and sexual harassment claims.
The Act is consistent with President Biden’s Statement of Administration Policy from November 14, which underscores the Administration’s view that “[t]ransparency is the best way to hold employers and perpetrators accountable. Prohibiting the use of predispute NDAs and nondisparagement clauses will increase access to justice.” The statement concludes, “[t]he Administration looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to advance broader legislation that address the range of issues … including those related to discrimination on the basis of race, unfair labor practices, and other violations.”
Jackson Lewis attorneys will continue to monitor developments. Employers with questions about the Act or its implications should reach out to Jackson Lewis attorneys.
© 2022 Jackson Lewis P.C. This material is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice nor does it create a client-lawyer relationship between Jackson Lewis and any recipient. Recipients should consult with counsel before taking any actions based on the information contained within this material. This material may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.