Criminal Justice (Domestic Violence)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 2467: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, repeals the criminal offenses of unlawfully carrying a firearm or club with the intent to go armed and carrying or possessing a weapon in or on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds; allows persons convicted of stalking or a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to possess a firearm after five years from the date of conviction. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65.

SB 2467 repeals Tennessee’s criminal penalties for carrying firearms in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas, and removes the prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking after five years from their conviction date. The bill updates state law to clarify that domestic violence convictions older than five years no longer disqualify someone from owning a firearm, provided their rights haven’t been restored through other means. It also modifies definitions to replace "handgun" with "firearm" in multiple sections and adds exceptions for juveniles possessing rifles/shotguns for specific activities like livestock protection. These changes directly affect people with past domestic violence or stalking convictions, park visitors, and firearm owners navigating state restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals firearm restrictions for domestic violence offenders after 5 years, reducing victim protections and weakening gun control in criminal justice policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2528: Private Protective Services - As enacted, adds stalking to the crimes for which an individual who has been convicted must have completed serving the individual's sentence or court-ordered probation at least five years prior to applying for a registration card to perform the duties of a security guard or officer; makes other changes related to security guards and officers. - Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 35.

HB 2528 amends Tennessee's security guard licensing laws to add "stalking" to the list of crimes requiring applicants to complete all sentence or probation terms and wait at least five years before applying for a security guard registration. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of stalking who seek security guard positions, preventing them from applying until five years after their sentence or probation ends. Key provisions include requiring security guards to report arrests or convictions for listed offenses (like stalking) within 10 days to both the state commissioner and their employer, and adding new disqualifiers for individuals on abuse registries or prohibited from owning firearms. These changes strengthen background checks and reporting requirements for security personnel without altering existing rules for other offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts security guard licensing for stalking convicts by adding 5-year waiting period, directly limiting access to employment in criminal justice-adjacent roles.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Probation & Parole

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2064: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, repeals the criminal offenses of unlawfully carrying a firearm or club with the intent to go armed and carrying or possessing a weapon in or on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, and other public recreational buildings and grounds; allows persons convicted of stalking or a misdemeanor domestic violence offense to possess a firearm after five years from the date of conviction. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65.

HB 2064 changes Tennessee's firearm laws by repealing criminal penalties for carrying a firearm in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas. It modifies restrictions for people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking, allowing firearm possession after five years from conviction (unless rights remain restricted). The bill also removes bans on carrying firearms in public recreational spaces and updates misdemeanor penalties for carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These changes directly affect individuals with certain past convictions and those who carry firearms in public recreational areas. The bill does not alter federal gun laws or create new restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill repeals criminal penalties for firearm carrying in public parks and relaxes firearm restrictions for domestic violence/stalking offenders after 5 years, weakening existing protections in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1938: Orders of Protection - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for the criminal offense of violation of an order of protection if the order violated was a lifetime order of protection and the conviction that the lifetime order of protection was based on involved the use of force against a victim. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

SB 1938 increases the penalty for violating a lifetime order of protection from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific circumstances. This applies when the violation occurs after a conviction for an offense involving force against a victim (such as assault) that led to the lifetime order. The bill also requires prison sentences for such violations to be served consecutively to other sentences for the same incident, though judges may allow concurrent sentences in some cases. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, and affects individuals convicted of violent offenses who later violate lifetime protective orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from misdemeanor to felony, expanding criminalization and mandating consecutive sentences per bill text.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1765: Orders of Protection - As introduced, increases from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony the penalty for the criminal offense of violation of an order of protection if the order violated was a lifetime order of protection and the conviction that the lifetime order of protection was based on involved the use of force against a victim. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

HB 1765 upgrades penalties for violating lifetime protection orders from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony under specific conditions. It applies only when the violation involves a lifetime order (issued under TCA §36-3-627) and the original order was based on a conviction involving force against a victim. The law requires consecutive prison sentences for these violations unless a judge orders concurrent terms. This change affects individuals who breach such orders after a force-based conviction, increasing criminal penalties for repeat or severe violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades violation penalties to felony, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization under specific conditions, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Judges

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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 · 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 · 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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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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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 28: Criminal Offenses - As enacted, expands the criminal offense of harassment to include harassment that occurs by communicating in the physical presence of the victim, in addition to in writing, by telephone, or electronically. - Amends TCA Title 39.

SB 28 expands Tennessee's harassment law to include face-to-face communication as a form of harassment, in addition to existing methods like text, phone, or online messages. This change directly affects individuals who engage in threatening or intimidating behavior while physically present with a victim, such as verbal threats during stalking or nonverbal intimidation in person. The bill amends the definition of "communicate" in state law to explicitly cover in-person contact, alongside written, electronic, or telephone interactions. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025, broadening the legal scope for prosecuting harassment cases that occur through physical presence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of harassment by adding in-person communication to prohibited acts, increasing potential prosecutions under criminal justice law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence