SB1954

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 5, relative to sexual offenses.

Introduced·1/21/26

Amends Tennessee law to redefine continuous sexual abuse of a child and set a jury agreement requirement.

This bill amends Tennessee law to redefine continuous sexual abuse of a child. It specifies that a person commits this offense if they engage in three or more incidents of sexual abuse of a minor child on separate occasions, with at least one incident occurring within the county where the charge is filed and one incident occurring on or after July 1, 2026. The bill also mandates that a jury must unanimously agree that the defendant committed multiple acts of sexual abuse of a child during a period of thirty days or more. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
Finance, Ways and Means Committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
1
R
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

8 Yea

RRRRDRRD

0 Nay

Calendar

Apr 20

1:00 PM

Senate Finance, Ways And Means Hearing

Mar 3

12:00 AM

Senate Revenue Subcommittee Of Finance, Ways & Means Hearing

History

Apr 20

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026

Apr 14

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026

Apr 14

Senate

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026