Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 358: Bail, Bail Bonds - As introduced, requires a court or magistrate to impose global positioning monitoring as a condition of release for a defendant accused of certain offenses, unless the court or magistrate enters written findings that the defendant does not pose a threat to the victim or public safety; requires the administrative office of the courts to compile an annual report of the number of defendants subject to such an order. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 55; Chapter 969 of the Public Acts of 2024 and Chapter 1033 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 358 requires Tennessee courts to mandate GPS monitoring as a condition of bail for defendants charged with specific offenses - including gun-related crimes, domestic assault, vehicle burglaries, reckless driving, drag racing, or repeat offenses - unless the court issues written findings that the defendant poses no threat to victims or public safety. The bill applies to defendants arrested for offenses listed in Section 1(b), such as those involving firearms, serious injury, or domestic violence. Courts must report monthly data on GPS monitoring cases to the Administrative Office of the Courts, which will compile an annual report for legislative committees by July 1 each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing bail procedures for other offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates GPS monitoring for high-risk defendants, restricting release conditions without presumption of safety, reducing defendant rights per bill language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

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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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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1082: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, adds certain criminal offenses to the list of dangerous felonies for purposes of the offense of possessing a firearm or antique firearm during commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 1082 amends Tennessee law to add 30+ new offenses to the list of "dangerous felonies" that trigger stricter penalties for firearm possession during or after committing those crimes. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific violent or serious crimes like aggravated robbery, rape, human trafficking, meth manufacturing, or aggravated burglary who possess firearms during or attempt such offenses. The key mechanism expands the existing list of dangerous felonies (e.g., adding "aggravated stalking," "trafficking for commercial sex acts," and "meth manufacturing" to the list) so that firearm possession during these crimes becomes a separate offense with enhanced penalties. This bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands dangerous felony list to impose stricter firearm possession penalties during specified crimes, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy 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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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 599: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor for knowingly giving, selling, lending, delivering, or otherwise transferring a firearm to a person when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the person receiving the firearm is prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

HB 599 makes it a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly give, sell, lend, deliver, or transfer a firearm to someone prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. This applies when the transferor knows or should reasonably know the recipient is prohibited, such as someone with a felony conviction or active restraining order. Violations carry penalties for the person transferring the firearm, not the recipient. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, for all firearm transfers after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new Class A misdemeanor for illegal firearm transfers, expanding criminalization of firearm-related offenses.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 741: 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.

HB 741 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies that use body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The bill mandates that officers activate cameras during calls for service and encounters with the public (except during immediate threats), notify subjects they are being recorded, and keep cameras on until the encounter ends. Exceptions include turning cameras off when a private resident requests it, when interacting with domestic abuse or rape victims, or with anonymous crime tipsters. The policy must also prohibit using body cameras to record First Amendment activities unrelated to police responses. This directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers using body-worn cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates body camera policies requiring activation during encounters and notifications, enhancing police accountability and transparency per bill requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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