All Roll Calls
Yes: 9 • No: 0
TennesseeSB 0171114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 38, relative to The Ink of Hope Act.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Tattoos and Piercings
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Tattoo licensees gain trafficking liability protection
Beginning January 1, 2026, covered Tennessee tattoo licensees and their employers gain legal protection for specified trafficking-related conduct. They face no civil or criminal liability for responding to trafficking signs or referring clients to victim resources. The same protection covers failing to respond or refer. The Tennessee Department of Health also cannot take action against them for those actions or inactions.
Renewing tattoo licensees face training deadline
Beginning January 1, 2026, Tennessee applies a training rule to people renewing tattoo licenses held on December 31, 2025. They must complete up to one hour of free online or in-person training by December 31, 2028. A nonprofit approved by the Tennessee Human Trafficking Advisory Council provides it. Training covers spotting trafficking, responding, victim resources, and reporting signs to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. The Tennessee Department of Health must invalidate licenses when the deadline is missed, until training is completed.
Tattoo applicants face new training rules
Beginning January 1, 2026, Tennessee tattoo operators and artists must complete trafficking training before getting a permit. Training takes up to one hour, online or in person, and is free. A nonprofit approved by the Tennessee Human Trafficking Advisory Council provides it. It covers spotting trafficking, responding, referring clients to victim resources, and reporting signs to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. Tattoo license exams must also include questions about recognizing and reporting trafficking.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Raumesh Akbari
Democrat • Senate
Richard Briggs
Republican • Senate
Heidi Campbell
Democrat • Senate
Ed Jackson
Republican • Senate
London Lamar
Democrat • Senate
Reeves
Affiliation unavailable
White
Affiliation unavailable
Ken Yager
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 03/12/2025, 01/01/2026
3/21/2025Pub. Ch. 19
3/21/2025Signed by Governor.
3/12/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
3/10/2025SenateSigned by H. Speaker
3/6/2025HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
3/5/2025SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
3/4/2025SenatePassed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 0
3/3/2025HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/3/2025HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
2/24/2025HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
2/20/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/20/2025SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
2/20/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 2/20/2025
2/18/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/12/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/11/2025SenateRecommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
2/11/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/5/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 2/11/2025
2/4/2025SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
1/27/2025SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
1/16/2025SenateFiled for introduction
1/15/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
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