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SB 2566

Sexual Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act," which creates the criminal offense of grooming a minor or mentally compromised individual. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Janice Bowling

SB 2566 creates a criminal offense for grooming a minor (including in positions of trust) with defined predicate acts, age-based penalties, and sex-offender registration.

Companion House Bill substituted
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Bill Summary · SB 2566

Summary of SB 2566 (Session 114) – Tennessee

Purpose and intent

SB 2566, as amended and introduced as the Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act, creates a new criminal offense: grooming of a minor or a mentally compromised individual. The bill targets preparatory grooming conduct—patterns of behavior that precede and facilitate sexual offenses—addressing gaps in existing law that penalize only the later stages (solicitation, display of obscene material, etc.). It aligns with scientific research on grooming and applies an age-differential framework consistent with Tennessee’s existing criminal law.

Key provisions

  • Section 39-13-536 – Grooming a Minor

    • Definitions:
    • “Course of grooming conduct”: pattern of two or more predicate acts directed at the same minor, showing continuity of purpose. Predicate acts can occur in any order and need not be the same type.
    • “Position of authority” and “Position of special trust”: longstanding roles (teacher, coach, caregiver, etc.) that involve authority or caregiving over a minor.
    • “Predicate act”: include (A) access and isolation, (B) secrecy cultivation, (C) dependency-building (gifts/privileges to foster emotional dependence), (D) physical boundary violations, and (E) introduction of sexual content in communications.
    • “Sexual activity” follows existing definitions in § 39-13-529(d).
    • Offense elements (subsection b):
    • A person commits grooming a minor if they engage in a course of grooming conduct directed at a minor with specific intent to:
      • Commit or facilitate a sexual offense or violent sexual offense against the minor; or
      • Cause or induce the minor to engage in simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive or sexual activity.
    • Age-based thresholds:
      • Minor under 13 and offender 18+; or
      • Minor 13–17 and offender 10+ years older.
    • Offense elements (subsection c) – grooming a minor in a position of trust:
    • Involves a person in a position of authority/special trust, at least 4 years older, engaging in grooming with the specified intent to commit or facilitate sexual offenses or sexual activity.
    • Defenses and scope (subsection d):
    • The act targets preparatory grooming that does not constitute a completed offense under other statutes; does not prohibit lawful activities (education, medical exams, age-appropriate discussion, etc.).
    • Close relationships alone are not, by themselves, evidence of grooming.
    • Penalties (subsection e):
    • Grooming a minor (general) ranges from Class A misdemeanor to higher classes depending on predicate acts and minor’s age.
    • Grooming a minor in a position of trust generally carries higher penalties (Class B, C, or D felonies), depending on specifics and age.

  • Related amendments

    • Adds grooming as a listed offense under § 40-39-202(31) (definition/recognition within the sex offender registry framework).

  • Effective date

    • Takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.

  • Note on parallel provisions

    • The amended text emphasizes that grooming is distinct from existing offenses (solicitation, exploitation, etc.), but allows prosecution under the higher-grade offense when applicable.

Who is affected

  • Individuals who engage in a pattern of grooming conduct toward minors (under 18) or mentally compromised individuals.
  • Persons in positions of trust or special authority over minors (teachers, coaches, caregivers, etc.) may face enhanced penalties.
  • Offenders may be required to register as sex offenders.

Procedural and fiscal considerations

  • The bill includes a framework for charging, prosecuting, and sentencing grooming offenses, with tiered penalties.
  • Fiscal notes indicate increases in state incarceration costs and sex-offender registry (SOR) fees, though exact figures depend on the number of offenders and case specifics.
  • Offenders convicted would face community supervision in some scenarios and must register on the SOR, involving annual fees ($150 with a local agency retaining part as per existing law).

Summary in one line

SB 2566 creates a criminal offense for grooming a minor, including grooming in a position of trust, with specific predicate acts, age-based penalties, sex-offender registration, and an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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