TennesseeHB 1787114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, relative to criminal offenses.

Sponsored By: Mary Littleton (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher penalties for buying sex

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee sets new punishments for patronizing prostitution. Cases under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2)(A) are Class A misdemeanors. Cases under (a)(2)(B) or (a)(2)(C) are Class B felonies. Cases under (a)(2)(D) are Class A felonies. If the crime happens within 1.5 miles of a school, the court adds at least 7 days in jail and at least a $1,000 fine, on top of other punishment. Prosecutors may also charge under other applicable laws.

Who is protected in prostitution cases

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law clarifies who counts as the subject in a patronizing prostitution case. It lists four groups: a law enforcement officer; an officer age 18 or older posing as a minor; a person with an intellectual disability; and anyone under 18. The law also adds patronizing offenses against those groups to a related state law that covers listed crimes. This makes it clearer who is protected and which cases are covered.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mary Littleton
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Rebecca K Alexander
Republican • House
Elaine Davis
Republican • House
Jake McCalmon
Republican • House
Dawn White
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 149 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/14/2026

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Signed by Governor.
5/7/2026
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/6/2026House
Signed by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/30/2026House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026House
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/22/2026Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0928)
4/22/2026Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0
4/22/2026Senate
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/15/2026Senate
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0989)
4/14/2026House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/14/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/14/2026House
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/14/2026House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/9/2026House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
4/8/2026House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/1/2026House
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
3/25/2026House
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
3/25/2026House
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
3/18/2026House
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
3/18/2026House
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
3/11/2026House
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026House
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026House
Sponsor change.
2/3/2026House
Sponsor(s) withdrawn.
2/3/2026House

Bill Text

HA0989 (Substitute)
4/14/2026
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0928
PDF

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