Aggravated Prostitution
In 2024, Thistle Farms - with the support of Sen. Page Walley (R-Savannah) and Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) - passed a critical amendment to address the most harmful provisions of Tennessee’s long-standing law regarding aggravated prostitution in a key bipartisan win for survivors of prostitution and human trafficking. Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law, passed in 1991, has required people living with HIV who have been convicted of aggravated prostitution to register as “violent sex offenders” on the state’s sex offender registry for their entire lives. The longstanding law placed needless and harmful barriers before survivors when trying to access housing, employment, and recovery services in the aftermath of trafficking.
Caption of Bill
SB 181/HB 1384: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds aggravated prostitution convictions as eligible for expunction if certain requirements are met; removes such offense as "a sexual offense" or "violent sexual offense" for which a person is required to register on sexual offender registries; authorizes a prior offender who is required to register because the offender was convicted of such offense that was committed prior to July 1, 2024, to file a request for termination of registration requirements with the TBI headquarters. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.
Blog & News Coverage
- Thistle Farms Celebrates Legislative Win - Thistle Farms
- TN Lawmakers Vote to Remove Sex Offender Registry Requirement for Law Criminalizing Sex Workers with HIV | WKNO FM
- Bill would no longer require convicted sex workers to register as a sex offender
- New Tennessee Law Changes Aggravated Prostitution Punishment | City Limits | nashvillescene.com
