Image Credit: TN General Assembly
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend legislation that would enact the “Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act.”
House Bill 2317 (HB2317), sponsored by State Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-D69), is intended to protect minors from sexual exploitation by making a criminal offense of grooming behaviors.
It also supplements existing child protection laws through the creation of a Class E Felony offense for any adult who engages in the practice of grooming a child for sexual exploitation.
If the offender holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision over the victim at the time of the offense, the classification is upgraded to a Class D felony.
If the offender has a prior conviction for sexual offense, violent or not, the offense becomes a Class C felony.
Grooming becomes a Class B felony if the victim is considered a “mentally compromised individual” and a Class A felony if the minor is under 13 years old.
The bill has been placed on the House Judiciary Committee calendar for April 1.
The companion Senate Bill 2566 (SB2566), sponsored by State Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-D16), passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 24 and has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
House Judiciary Committee – HB2317 scheduled to be heard April 1
HB2317 protects minors from sexual exploitation by making a criminal offense of grooming behaviors.
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee – SB2566 hearing date TBD
SB2566 protects minors from sexual exploitation by making a criminal offense of grooming behaviors.
Sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov; sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov; sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov; sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov; sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov; sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov; sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov
