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TennesseeSB 0392114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

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

Sponsored By: Brent Taylor (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal Offenses

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clearer list of trafficking crimes

Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee clarifies what counts as a "human trafficking offense." It now expressly includes involuntary labor servitude; trafficking for forced labor or services; trafficking for a commercial sex act; patronizing prostitution; promoting prostitution; and promoting the prostitution of a minor. This definition guides how police, prosecutors, and courts apply trafficking laws and remedies.

New felony for human smuggling

Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee makes human smuggling a crime. It is a Class E felony to, for money or business gain, transport someone to hide them from police, or to conceal, harbor, or shield someone you know entered or stayed in the U.S. illegally, as determined by federal immigration officers. If the victim was under 13 at any time, it is a Class A felony. "Harbor" means providing shelter or concealment. Licensed Tennessee attorneys giving bona fide legal advice and people providing health care at licensed or permitted sites are not covered.

Attorney General can shut trafficking organizations

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Tennessee attorney general can take civil action in court against people or organizations tied to human trafficking. The AG can seek restraining orders or injunctions, cancel licenses and registrations, ask the court to appoint a receiver, or dissolve an organization. "Organization" includes LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, partnerships, trusts, estates, business trusts, and joint ventures. These tools apply when the AG has reason to believe a human trafficking offense or aggravated human trafficking is happening, happened, or is about to happen.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brent Taylor

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Paul Bailey

    Republican • Senate

  • Janice Bowling

    Republican • Senate

  • Bobby Harshbarger

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Hatcher

    Republican • Senate

  • Joey Hensley

    Republican • Senate

  • Ed Jackson

    Republican • Senate

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

  • Jessie Seal

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Southerland

    Republican • Senate

  • John Stevens

    Republican • Senate

  • Page Walley

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Watson

    Republican • Senate

  • Dawn White

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 252 • No: 199

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 2 BY BEHN PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 25 • No: 72

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 73 • No: 22

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 3 BY BEHN PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 68

House vote • 4/22/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2025

Yes: 71 • No: 23

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Table Amend# 4 by Senator Akbari Third Consideration 4/16/2025

Yes: 26 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/16/2025

Yes: 25 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 424

    5/15/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2025

    5/15/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/9/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/29/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/25/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/22/2025House

  9. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0367)

    4/22/2025House

  10. Am. reconsidered, withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0367)

    4/22/2025House

  11. Passed H., Ayes 73, Nays 22, PNV 0

    4/22/2025House

  12. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/21/2025House

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/16/2025Senate

  14. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0411)

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA0418)

    4/16/2025Senate

  16. Amendment tabled (Amendment 4 - SA0434)

    4/16/2025Senate

  17. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0396)

    4/16/2025Senate

  18. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 6

    4/16/2025Senate

  19. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/16/2025Senate

  20. Senate Reset on calendar for 4/16/2025

    4/14/2025Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/16/2025

    4/14/2025Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  23. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 5, Nays 2 PNV 0

    4/8/2025Senate

  24. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/3/2025Senate

  25. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

    4/2/2025Senate

Bill Text

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