I'm not a senior executive, but I'm curious about: "existing noncompetes for senior executives can remain in force." So what happens to these people, are they

I'm not a senior executive, but I'm curious about: "existing noncompetes for senior executives can remain in force." So what happens to these people, are they stuck with the noncompete forever? so if they leave, they can still be sued? or is it that they can't start a competing business at the same time?