TennesseeAdult businesses must post warning signs to receive operating licenses
Tennessee adult entertainment businesses must certify that entrance signs warn of possible harms, with additional display signs required when they lawfully offer sexual materials, before receiving licenses.
What it does
Before receiving a license, adult businesses must certify that every entrance has a sign warning that participating in the entertainment may contribute to domestic assault, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
To receive a license, adult businesses lawfully offering sexual materials must also certify that each display warns that producing those materials may contribute to domestic assault, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Argument forProminent warnings could prompt customers to consider possible harms before entering adult businesses or choosing sexual materials.
Argument againstRequired warnings could lead customers to associate lawful adult entertainment with crimes, even though the signs describe only possible links.
More detail
The licensing board must withhold a license unless the applicant certifies that warning signs are posted at every entrance. The requirement covers adult-oriented establishments applying for licenses in Tennessee. Each sign must be at least 8½ by 11 inches, with centered, bold block letters in at least 48-point type, printed black on white. This license requirement took effect on May 19, 2026, when the law was signed.
The licensing board must withhold a license unless the applicant certifies that warning signs are posted at every display of sexual materials. This requirement covers adult-oriented establishments that lawfully offer sexually oriented materials for sale, loan, or use, including print and video. Each sign must be at least 8½ by 11 inches, with centered, bold block letters in at least 48-point type, printed black on white. This license requirement took effect on May 19, 2026, when the law was signed.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Pub. Ch. 1020Latest
- May 26Effective date(s) 05/19/2026
- May 19Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 7Transmitted to Governor for his action.To Governor
- May 5Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.Minor
- Apr 30Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Conference Committee appointed (Bowling, Gardenhire, Yarbro)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR 2 MOTION TO ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt Conference Committee Report 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23H. Placed on Message Calendar 2 for 4/23/2026
- Apr 23Conf. comm. report adopted, Ayes 83, Nays 10 PNV 1
- Apr 23Conference Committee report adopted, Ayes 26, Nayes 3, PNV 1
- Apr 22Senate refused to recede from amendment
- Apr 22H. Placed on Message Calendar #2 for 4/22/26
- Apr 22H. refused to recede from its non-concurrence in S. am. 1
- Apr 22Conf. comm. appointed. (Reps. Fritts, Reneau, Travis, Behn)
- Apr 21Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Apr 20Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Apr 16H. Placed on Message Calendar 2 for 4/16/2026
- Apr 16H. nonconcurred in S. am. no. 1
- Apr 15Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0913)
- Apr 15Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 6Passed Senate
- Apr 9Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Apr 6H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA1007)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026 4/2/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 6Passed H., as am., Ayes 83, Nays 7, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 2H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
- Apr 1Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee 4/1/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 1Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
- Mar 25Action def. in State & Local Government Committee to 3/31/2026
- Mar 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/31/2026
- Mar 18Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE CITIES & COUNTIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Action Def. in s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 4Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
- Feb 24Ref. to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Feb 24Assigned to s/c Cities & Counties SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 5P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
- Feb 4Intro., P1C.Minor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionIntroduced
Consumer Protection