(1) Any entity seeking to join the Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking Program must submit an application to the Secretary of State on a form provided by the Secretary and supported by additional documentation, if required, demonstrating the following:
- (a) The applicant has adopted a Zero-Tolerance Policy regarding human trafficking;
- (b) The applicant will participate in at least one anti-human trafficking public awareness or education campaign each year for the duration of its participation in the Partnership;
- (c) Verification that the applicant will offer all current employees Human Trafficking Prevention Training within 60 days of application approval;
- (d) Verification that the applicant will include Human Trafficking Prevention Training in all new hire materials or has established periodic training programs;
- (e) An agreement to share with the Secretary of State best practices that are effective in combatting human trafficking;
- (f) Contact information to ensure applicant receives timely updates to training materials and other pertinent announcements from the Secretary of State; and
- (g) Any additional information as required by the Secretary of State.
- (2) The application for a TBAT Certificate must contain the signature of an individual with authority to sign on behalf of the entity and the date on which the applicant signed the application.
- (3) If, after a review of the application and any additional documentation requested by the Secretary of State, the Secretary determines that all the requirements set forth in subsections
- (1) and (2) of this Rule have been met, the Secretary will approve the application, issue a TBAT Certificate to the applicant, and the applicant will be named a TBAT Partner.
- (4) All TBAT Certificates issued by the Secretary of State must bear an expiration date that will be two years from the date the certificate is issued.
- (5) There is no fee for an entity to submit an application for a TBAT Certificate.
Authority: T.C.A. § 38-1-802. Administrative History: Emergency rules filed March 18, 2024; effective through September 14, 2024. Emergency rules expired effective September 15, 2024, and the rules reverted to their previous statuses. New rules filed July 8, 2024; effective October 6, 2024.