NASHVILLE, Tenn — The Tennessee Senate on Monday advanced a proposal that would remove a clause in the state’s constitution allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.

Currently, the Tennessee Constitution states that “slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, are forever prohibited in this state.”

Under the proposal, voters will have the option, in the next Governors election (2022) to delete that section and replace it by clearly stating that slavery and involuntary servitude is banned throughout Tennessee.

An additional line would be added to note that “nothing in this section shall prohibit an inmate from working when the inmate has been duly convicted of a crime.” The explanation was added at the request of the Department of Correction.

The resolution passed in the GOP-dominant Senate with only four Republicans opposing.