Settlement agreements: sexual offenses.

Existing law prohibits a confidential settlement agreement in a civil action with a factual foundation establishing a cause of action for civil damages for an act that may be prosecuted as a felony sex offense. Existing law provides that the prohibition does not affect the ability of parties to enter into a settlement agreement or stipulated agreement requiring nondisclosure of the amount of money paid in settlement of a claim. This bill would instead prohibit a provision in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action in a civil action with a factual foundation establishing a cause of action for civil damages for an act that may be prosecuted as a felony sex offense and would additionally make these provisions applicable to a cause of action for civil damages for an act of childhood sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a minor or an act of sexual assault against an elder or dependent adult, as specified. The bill would prohibit a court from entering an order in any of these types of civil actions that restricts disclosure of this information, as specified. The bill would repeal the provision specifying that a settlement agreement or stipulated agreement that requires nondisclosure of the amount of money paid in settlement of a claim is not prohibited. The bill would make a provision in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action, as described in the bill, entered into on or after January 1, 2017, void as a matter of law and against public policy. The bill would provide that an attorney's failure to comply with these provisions by demanding that a provision be included in a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of factual information related to the action, as specified, as a condition of settlement or advising a client to sign an agreement that includes such a provision may be grounds for professional discipline and would require the State Bar of California to investigate and take appropriate action in cases brought to its attention.