HB 769 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of possessing, distributing, or producing technology, software, or digital tools designed for the purpose of creating material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive; establishes relevant factors to be considered in determining whether artificial technology, software, or digital tools are used or possessed with intent to create material that includes a minor engaged in sexual activity or simulated sexual activity that is patently offensive. - Amends TCA Title 39.

HB 769 makes it a crime to knowingly possess, distribute, or produce technology, software, or digital tools designed to create material featuring minors in sexual activity or extremely inappropriate simulated sexual activity. It directly affects individuals who use such tools, with penalties ranging from a Class E felony (possession) to a Class B felony (production). The law specifies that courts must consider factors like the defendant’s statements, existing material in their possession, advertising, and expert testimony to determine intent. This bill creates new criminal penalties for tools specifically intended to generate such material, not for general technology use.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Last action Apr 29, 2025
Floor votes · House Apr 14, 2025

How they voted

990
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic22
21 Yea 1
95% Yea
R Republican78
78 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
8
Committee
9
Apr 14, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (99-0-1)
house
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/10/2025
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/9/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/26/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mary Littleton
Mary Littleton
RRepublican
TN
78