House Bill 1354 and Senate Bill 1225 propose amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, particularly focusing on human trafficking offenses and the legal implications surrounding them. The bills introduce a new presumption for victims of human trafficking, stating that if a victim uses force against an individual committing or attempting to commit a human trafficking offense, they are presumed to have a reasonable belief of imminent death or serious bodily injury. Additionally, the bills require that a person must prove their status as a victim of human trafficking by clear and convincing evidence, which can be established through testimony.

Furthermore, the bills amend existing legal language regarding the definition of a "human trafficking offense" to include various forms of trafficking, such as involuntary labor servitude and promoting prostitution of minors. They also update the language concerning the obstruction of highways or other passageways. The amendments are set to take effect upon becoming law, with the public welfare requiring it, and one specific provision regarding the dissemination of smoking paraphernalia will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-15-411(a), 39-15-411
Amended with SA0621 -- 03/19/2026: 39-15-411(a), 39-15-411, 39-11-611(c), 39-11-611, 39-11-611(d), 39-11-611(a), 40-11-153(a), 40-11-153
Amended with SA0621, HA0988 -- 04/16/2026: 39-15-411(a), 39-15-411, 39-11-611(c), 39-11-611, 39-11-611(d), 39-11-611(a), 40-11-153(a), 40-11-153