Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 324: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As enacted, enacts "Savanna's Law," which creates a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders; requires the bureau to maintain the registry. - Amends TCA Title 18; Section 38-6-103; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 324, known as "Savanna's Law," creates a public online registry maintained by Tennessee's Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of two or more domestic violence offenses against the same victim. It requires courts to forward qualifying conviction details to the TBI within seven days, listing offenders' names, dates of birth, conviction dates, and counties - while excluding sensitive information like addresses or Social Security numbers. Offenders must pay a $150 registration fee ($50 to the court, $100 to the TBI), and names are removed from the registry after 2-10 years based on prior offenses. The law applies to offenses occurring on or after January 1, 2026, and aims to enhance public awareness of repeat domestic violence offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates public registry for repeat domestic violence offenders, enabling tracking to prevent future incidents and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 335: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, enacts the "Voyeurism Victims Act." - Amends TCA Title 28; Title 29; Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 39 and Title 40, Chapter 2.

SB 335, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," amends Tennessee law to specifically address unauthorized photography (voyeurism) by defining "unlawful photography" and expanding legal protections for victims. It adds new provisions to criminalize hidden-camera photography, multiple-victim cases, and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution by tolling it during the defendant's concealment of the crime. The bill also integrates "unlawful photography" into existing domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking protections, allowing victims to seek relief through related legal pathways. This law directly affects individuals who experience unauthorized photography, providing clearer legal recourse and updated penalties. It takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on March 25, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens victim protections in criminal justice by defining voyeurism, criminalizing hidden cameras, and extending statute of limitations for prosecution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1174: Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

SB 1174 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to adopt written policies governing their use. These policies must mandate that officers activate cameras during all public encounters (except immediate safety threats), wear them properly to capture footage, and notify people they're being recorded. The bill also specifies exceptions: officers must ask residents before entering homes without a warrant, victims of domestic violence or rape, and anonymous crime reporters if they want the camera turned off. These policies must include training for officers and cover how recordings are handled. The law directly affects all state and local law enforcement agencies that use body cameras and the public they interact with during patrols and investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies with activation mandates and notifications, enhancing officer accountability and transparency in law enforcement encounters.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates notification before recording and proper data handling for body cameras, advancing data privacy protections in law enforcement technology use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 1200: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - As enacted, enacts "Savanna's Law," which creates a registry of persistent domestic violence offenders; requires the bureau to maintain the registry. - Amends TCA Title 18; Section 38-6-103; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1200, known as "Savanna's Law," creates a public online registry for "persistent domestic violence offenders" in Tennessee. This applies to individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses with at least one prior conviction against a domestic abuse victim, as defined in the bill. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) must maintain the registry using court-provided data (name, date of birth, conviction details, and photos), excluding sensitive information like addresses. The registry becomes accessible online after January 1, 2026, with names automatically removed 2-10 years after the most recent conviction based on prior offense counts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders, enhancing public safety and law enforcement tracking to prevent recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 361: Orders of Protection - As enacted, expands the courts in Shelby County that can hear a petition for an order of protection to include a criminal court when the criminal court is hearing a criminal matter involving a domestic abuse victim, sexual assault victim, or stalking victim; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 18 and Title 36.

HB 361 expands which Tennessee courts can handle protection order petitions for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. It allows criminal courts to issue these orders when they are already hearing the related criminal case, instead of requiring victims to seek separate proceedings in general sessions court. This change applies statewide to courts handling such cases, streamlining the process for victims. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 16-3-601, 18, and 36 to reflect this court jurisdiction update.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands court access for victims of domestic abuse/sexual assault/stalking, streamlining protection orders within existing criminal cases to improve victim safety and system efficiency in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1131: Orders of Protection - As introduced, allows a court to issue an emergency protection order upon a finding that a person poses an imminent risk of harm to the person or others if allowed to purchase or possess a firearm; authorizes a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer to petition for such an order. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

SB 1131 would allow Tennessee courts to issue emergency protection orders prohibiting individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms when a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer files a petition alleging an imminent risk of harm. The order would take effect immediately, with a court hearing required within 30 days to extend it for up to one year if the petitioner proves the risk by a preponderance of evidence. Petitioners would not pay court costs, fees, or related expenses, and law enforcement must report the order to national databases. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 17, to establish this process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm restrictions in domestic violence cases via emergency protection orders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to prevent harm and enhance victim safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 948: Domestic Violence - As introduced, requires a person who is convicted of domestic assault or subject to an order of protection to dispossess any firearm in the person's possession by transferring the firearm to a law enforcement agency and to provide the court with an affidavit of dispossession of firearms and a receipt from the law enforcement agency. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 948 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a domestic violence order of protection to surrender any firearms they possess to a law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must then provide the court with a receipt from law enforcement and a completed affidavit of firearm dispossession within three business days. Law enforcement must issue a receipt at the time of surrender, and the court will require proof of compliance. The law applies to all such orders or convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates firearm surrender by domestic violence offenders, reducing gun access for high-risk individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance victim safety and prevent recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1363: Sentencing - As introduced, permits a person who is serving a sentence of incarceration of eight years or more for an offense committed prior to January 1, 2026, and who is a victim of domestic abuse subjected to substantial physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the same family or household as the person to submit to the sentencing court, a request to apply for resentencing. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1363 allows individuals serving eight or more years in prison for a crime committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit documentation proving their sentence length, the crime's date, and the abuse, including two types of evidence (one from court records, police reports, or similar sources). If approved, the court may reduce their sentence, considering their prison behavior and participation in treatment programs, but not the original conviction. Requests can only be made starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows resentencing for domestic abuse victims to correct unjust sentences, promoting reform and protecting vulnerable individuals within sentencing framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 1184: Domestic Violence - As introduced, requires a person who is convicted of domestic assault or subject to an order of protection to dispossess any firearm in the person's possession by transferring the firearm to a law enforcement agency and to provide the court with an affidavit of dispossession of firearms and a receipt from the law enforcement agency. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1184 requires individuals convicted of domestic assault or subject to a court-ordered protection plan to surrender all firearms to a designated law enforcement agency within 48 hours. They must also submit a sworn affidavit of surrender and a receipt from the agency to the court within three business days. This applies to people under existing protection orders or those convicted of domestic violence offenses in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to domestic violence protection orders (Title 36), criminal sentencing (Title 39), and firearm possession laws (Title 40), creating a standardized process for firearm surrender and documentation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm surrender for domestic violence offenders to prevent further harm, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and enhancing victim safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 673: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act." - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 673, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges sentencing defendants for assault offenses to mandate completion of certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3+ hours per session, max 6:1 counselor ratio) or drug/alcohol treatment as part of alternative sentencing. It directly affects individuals convicted of assault who receive alternative sentences, requiring them to complete these programs fully without shortening the term via plea agreements. The bill also adds new requirements for defendants in certain violations to attend violence-focused counseling and mandates 12+ hours yearly domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions take effect July 1, 2025, and do not change assault definitions but alter sentencing conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates batterer's intervention and treatment programs for assault offenders, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through structured sentencing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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