All Roll Calls
Yes: 149 • No: 0
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, Mary (Republican)
Became Law
Criminal Offenses
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Buying sex added to related crimes
Beginning July 1, 2026, certain buying‑sex offenses are added to a related crime list. The list now covers cases involving an officer posing as a minor, a person with an intellectual disability, or a minor. This can affect how those cases are charged or punished under that section.
New penalty rules for buying sex
Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee sets clearer rules and penalties for buying sex. The law names who can be the target: a police officer; a police officer age 18 or older posing as a minor; a person with an intellectual disability; or a person under 18. Penalties scale by who the target is: a Class A misdemeanor for base cases or when the target is an officer; a Class B felony when the target is an officer posing as a minor or a person with an intellectual disability; and a Class A felony when the target is under 18. If the crime happens within 1.5 miles of a school, the sentence must include at least 7 days in jail and at least a $1,000 fine. Prosecutors can still bring other charges that apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mary Littleton, Mary
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rebecca K. Alexander, Rebecca K.
Republican • House
Elaine Davis, Elaine
Republican • House
Jake McCalmon, Jake
Republican • House
Dawn White, Dawn
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
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
Pub. Ch. 959
5/18/2026Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
5/18/2026Signed by Governor.
5/7/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/6/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026HouseSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/22/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0928)
4/22/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0
4/22/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/15/2026SenateH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0989)
4/14/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/14/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/14/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/14/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026
4/9/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026
4/8/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/1/2026HouseRec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
3/25/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
3/25/2026HouseAction Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
3/18/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/25/2026
3/18/2026HouseAction Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
3/11/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
3/4/2026House
Bill Text
HA0989 (Substitute)
4/14/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0928
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