SB 171

This bill enacts the "The Ink of Hope Act, which requires each tattoo operator or tattoo artist, before receiving a permit to operate a tattoo establishment or to apply a tattoo, to complete up to one hour of online or in-person training, at no cost to th e applicant, by a nonprofit organization approved by the Tennessee human trafficking advisory council that focuses on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, how to respond to those signs, how to refer a client to resources for victims of human t r afficking, and reporting signs of human trafficking to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. TATTOO OPERATOR/ARTIST EXAMINATION Present law requires tattoo operator s and tattoo artist s to take and pass an examination before a tattoo a rtist permit can be issued. The examination must be a written examination prescribed by the local health department . This bill adds that such examination must include questions on recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking . RENEWAL OF LICENSE This bill requires a person who holds a license as of December 31, 2025, and who is renewing the license, to successfully complete, by December 31, 2028, up to one hour of online or in-person training, at no cost to the applicant, by a nonprofit organiza tion approved by the Tennessee human trafficking advisory council that focuses on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, how to respond to those signs, how to refer a client to resources for victims of human trafficking, and reporting signs of h u man trafficking to the Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. If the person fails to complete the course by December 31, 2028, then the department of health must render the license invalid until the person complies with this bill. IMMUNITY FOR ACTION OR INACTION This bill provides that a person who holds a license, and the employer of that person, who (i) responds to signs of human trafficking with a client, (ii) refers a client to resources for victims of human trafficking, or (iii) fails to respond or refer is not civilly or criminally liable for such actions or inactions, no r subject to any action by the department of health."