Memorials, Recognition - Human Trafficking Awareness Month, January 2026 -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Designates January 2026 as Tennessee's Human Trafficking Awareness Month to boost education, awareness, survivor support, and state reporting via SOS programs and TBI.

Filed for introduction

#memorials #recognition

Overview

Type: Joint Resolution (ceremonial/recognition)

Sponsor: Senator Johnson

Status: Filed for introduction (December 2, 2025)

Purpose: Recognize January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Tennessee

Legislative action: Acknowledges the scope of human trafficking, promotes awareness and education, and highlights existing state efforts and reporting.

Purpose and Intent

The bill designates January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month to promote education, awareness, resources, and community action.

It aims to equip Tennesseans with tools to identify and address human trafficking, support survivors, prevent exploitation, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The resolution frames human trafficking as a pervasive issue that affects people of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds, with particular focus on vulnerable populations.

Key Provisions

Definition and scope: Human trafficking is defined as recruiting, manipulating, purchasing, or obtaining a person for commercial sex acts or forced labor through force, fraud, deception, or coercion. It includes prostitution, escorting, online advertisements, digital platforms, and all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.

Victim context: Emphasizes that trafficked individuals can be from any demographic, with heightened vulnerability among children, survivors of child abuse, runaways, homeless youth, victims of violence, people with substance use disorders, and those affected by poverty or system failures.

State programs and resources:

Acknowledges Tennessee-based organizations providing direct support and advocacy for survivors of trafficking and exploitation.
Recognizes the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking Program as a statewide priority to educate business owners about signs of trafficking.
Notes that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is required to submit an annual report on child and human trafficking crimes and trends.

Public awareness and education: Declares the month a focus period to promote education, awareness, and community efforts to identify, address, and prevent trafficking and to support victims.

Formal presentation: The resolution allows for an appropriate copy to be prepared and presented, with standard formatting for the final printed copy.

Affected Entities and Stakeholders

General public in Tennessee (awareness and education beneficiaries)

Survivors of human trafficking and those at risk

State agencies:

Tennessee Secretary of State (Education/awareness programs, including Businesses Against Trafficking)
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (annual reporting on trafficking crimes and trends)

Private sector: Businesses and employers engaged in or aware of trafficking indicators through the SOS program

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Filed for introduction on December 2, 2025.

As a joint resolution, it is a formal legislative acknowledgment rather than a bill creating enforceable duties or funding.

No specific appropriations or new mandates are included; the measure is ceremonial and educational in nature.

If enacted by both legislative chambers and signed, it would officially recognize January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Tennessee.

Potential Impact

Raises statewide awareness and public education about human trafficking indicators and resources.

Reinforces existing state initiatives (SOS awareness program and TBI reporting) and may bolster support for survivor services.

Encourages continued collaboration among state agencies, organizations, and businesses to combat trafficking and support affected individuals.

Bill