Biden signs Speak Out Act bars enforcement of NDAs silencing sexual harassment and assault victims

President Biden signs the Speak Out Act, a bipartisan law that prohibits courts from enforcing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that silence people from speaking about sexual harassment and sexual assault they experienced or witnessed in the context of employment. The act, passed unanimously by the Senate and with large bipartisan House support, is the first federal law limiting the use of NDAs in sexual misconduct cases. Proponents argue that widespread use of NDAs in corporate America has enabled serial harassers and perpetuated cultures of silence. The law is part of a broader Biden effort to advance workplace protections and address sexual harassment.