Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1953: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, removes from the offense of violation of a protective order or restraining order the requirement that the person violating the order must have had an opportunity to appear and be heard in connection with the order of protection or restraining order and that the court must have made specific findings of fact in the order that the person committed a certain offense. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1953 modifies Tennessee's legal standards for violations of protective or restraining orders. It removes two specific requirements: that the person violating the order must have had a prior court hearing opportunity, and that the court must have made detailed factual findings about the violation in the original order. This change simplifies the legal process for prosecuting violations, directly affecting individuals accused of breaching such orders and the courts enforcing them. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections 39-13-113 and 39-17-1316, taking effect July 1, 2026. It focuses on procedural adjustments to enforcement, not substantive policy changes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves procedural safeguards (prior hearing requirement, factual findings) for protective order violations, reducing defendant due process and expanding prosecutorial authority, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 2050: Domestic Violence - As introduced, enacts "Katherine's Law"; creates the offense of aggravated domestic assault, which is a Class B felony. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 2050, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new criminal offense called "aggravated domestic assault" for specific severe domestic violence acts. It defines this as intentionally or knowingly assaulting a domestic abuse victim (per Tennessee law) while using a deadly weapon, displaying one, strangulating, or causing serious injury or death. This offense is classified as a Class B felony, a serious criminal charge. The law applies to incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects domestic violence victims and perpetrators committing these specific acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class B felony for severe domestic violence acts, strengthening legal response to protect victims and address serious offenses under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1851: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, removes certain criminal offenses relative to the possession and carrying of firearms, including the offense of carrying a firearm with the intent to go armed if the person has been convicted of stalking or DUI in certain circumstances and the offense of possession of a firearm by a person under 25 if the person was adjudicated delinquent for certain offenses as a juvenile; removes the offense of possessing or carrying a weapon in a public park, playground, civic center, or other public recreational area; makes various other changes relative to the possession and carrying of firearms. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65.

SB 1851 removes three specific criminal prohibitions related to firearm possession in Tennessee. It eliminates penalties for carrying a firearm with intent to go armed if someone has certain stalking or DUI convictions under defined circumstances. It also removes the ban on firearm possession for people under 25 who were adjudicated delinquent for specific juvenile offenses. Additionally, the bill repeals the prohibition against carrying weapons in public parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas. These changes amend multiple sections of Tennessee's firearm laws (TCA Titles 16, 36-40, 49, and 65).

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves firearm possession prohibitions for specific offenses, reducing criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by expanding rights for certain individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1717: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of knowingly violating a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or conditions of probation or parole following conviction for certain criminal offenses in which the alleged victim of the offense is a domestic abuse victim; punishes a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1717 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly violate a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole conditions following a conviction for a domestic abuse offense. It directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse crimes who break court-ordered no contact restrictions with the alleged victim. The bill amends Tennessee law to expand the scope of violations to include post-conviction orders (not just pre-trial) and clarifies that violations apply when the alleged victim is defined as a domestic abuse victim under state law. This change takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protection by criminalizing no-contact order violations post-conviction for domestic abuse, advancing accountability in criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1624: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, creates a criminal offense of knowingly violating a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or conditions of probation or parole following conviction for certain criminal offenses in which the alleged victim of the offense is a domestic abuse victim; punishes a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 1624 makes knowingly violating a no-contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole for certain domestic abuse-related crimes a Class A misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals convicted of offenses where the alleged victim was a domestic abuse victim under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify that violations of such orders - whether issued before release on bond or as part of sentencing - constitute a specific criminal offense. This changes the legal consequence from a general probation breach to a defined misdemeanor charge, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens victim protection in domestic abuse cases by criminalizing no-contact order violations, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to enhance safety and accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 602: 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.

HB 602, the "Voyeurism Victims Act," creates a specific criminal offense for non-consensual photography of intimate areas (unlawful photography) and expands victim protections. It defines the crime to include photos taken for sexual gratification, using hidden cameras, or involving multiple victims, and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution until the victim discovers the act. The bill also adds "unlawful photography victim" to Tennessee’s domestic violence and stalking protection orders, allowing affected individuals to seek legal relief through existing court processes. This law directly affects people who experience non-consensual intimate photo sharing, providing clearer legal pathways for accountability and support. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specific offense for voyeurism, extends statute of limitations for victims, and adds victim protection to domestic violence laws - directly strengthens victim safeguards in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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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