§ 229b. Right to discuss terms of contract

• (a) In this section:
  • (1) The term “producer” means any person engaged in the raising and caring for livestock or poultry for slaughter.
  • (2) The term “processor” means any person engaged in the business of obtaining livestock or poultry for the purpose of slaughtering the livestock or poultry.
• (b) Notwithstanding a provision in any contract between a producer and a processor for the production of livestock or poultry, or in any marketing agreement between a producer and a processor for the sale of livestock or poultry for a term of 1 year or more, that provides that information contained in the contract is confidential, a party to the contract shall not be prohibited from discussing any terms or details of the contract with—
  • (1) a Federal or State agency;
  • (2) a legal adviser to the party;
  • (3) a lender to the party;
  • (4) an accountant hired by the party;
  • (5) an executive or manager of the party;
  • (6) a landlord of the party; or
  • (7) a member of the immediate family of the party.
• (c) Subsection (b) does not—
  • (1) preempt any State law that addresses confidentiality provisions in contracts for the sale or production of livestock or poultry, except any provision of State law that makes lawful a contract provision that prohibits a party from, or limits a party in, engaging in discussion that subsection (b) requires to be permitted; or
  • (2) deprive any State court of jurisdiction under any such State law.
• (d) This section applies to each contract described in subsection (b) that is entered into, amended, renewed, or extended after May 13, 2002 .