House Bill 1527 aims to enhance child trafficking prevention and awareness education within Tennessee's public schools. The bill amends existing law by replacing "healthy school environment, school counseling" with "healthy school environment, child trafficking prevention and awareness education, school counseling" in Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-1002(a). It also introduces a new section in Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, defining "child trafficking" as a human trafficking offense involving victims under 18 years of age. The bill mandates that all public schools include child trafficking prevention and awareness education as part of their health education curriculum for students from kindergarten through grade twelve.

Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to implement this education. By August 1, 2026, they must submit a detailed implementation plan to the commissioner of education, which includes instructional methods, qualifications of instructors, and materials used. Furthermore, by July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, they are required to report on the implementation of this education, verifying that the instruction was provided in the previous school year. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law and will apply to the 2026-2027 school year and subsequent years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-1-1002(a), 49-1-1002, 49-6-1304