All Roll Calls
Yes: 178 • No: 0
TennesseeHB 2317114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 and Title 40, relative to the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act".
Sponsored By: Jody Barrett, Jody (Republican)
Became Law
Sexual Offenses
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grooming convictions trigger offender registry
Beginning July 1, 2026, grooming is added to the list of crimes that require sex‑offender registration. A grooming conviction is treated like other listed offenses for registration and related penalties. This strengthens community protections after conviction.
New crime for grooming minors
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law makes grooming a child a crime. It covers two or more grooming acts toward the same child done with intent to commit a sexual offense or to cause sexual activity. It applies if the child is under 13 and the adult is 18 or older, or if the child is 13–17 and the adult is at least 10 years older. Grooming acts include isolating the child, pushing secrecy, giving gifts to build loyalty, crossing physical boundaries, or introducing sexual content. There is a tougher offense for people in authority or special trust (like a teacher, coach, clergy, babysitter, or mentor) who are 4+ years older; penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor up to a Class 8 felony, and from a Class D felony up to a Class 8 felony for the aggravated offense.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jody Barrett, Jody
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Scott Cepicky, Scott
Republican • House
Monty Fritts, Monty
Republican • House
David B. Hawk, David B.
Republican • House
Chris Hurt, Chris
Republican • House
Aron Maberry, Aron
Republican • House
Brock Martin, Brock
Republican • House
Jason Powell, Jason
Democrat • House
Bill Powers, Bill
Republican • Senate
Jay D. Reedy, Jay D.
Republican • House
Michele Reneau, Michele
Republican • House
Gabby Salinas, Gabby
Democrat • House
Bryan Terry, Bryan
Republican • House
Dawn White, Dawn
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/23/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/23/2026
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR 2 AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026
Yes: 92 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 16 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2026
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 1021
5/26/2026Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
5/26/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/29/2026HouseSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/23/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0638)
4/23/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0914)
4/23/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 26, Nays 0, PNV 1
4/23/2026SenatePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/22/2026
4/22/2026HouseRec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/22/2026HousePlaced on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/22/2026
4/22/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/22/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/22/2026
4/22/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar 2 for 4/22/2026
4/22/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0986)
4/22/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 0, PNV 0
4/22/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/22/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/22/2026HouseTaken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/15/2026HousePlaced behind the budget
4/8/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
4/8/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/1/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0986
Introduced
SA0638
SA0914
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