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 Apr 8, 2026

HB 2436: 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 2436 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to create written policies governing their use. These policies must cover when officers must activate cameras (e.g., during calls for service or public encounters), how to handle privacy-sensitive situations (like domestic violence victims or anonymous crime reports), and mandate officer training. The bill prohibits using cameras to record First Amendment activities or unrelated incidents, and requires officers to notify people being recorded when possible. It directly affects all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officers who use body cameras.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies with accountability measures, privacy protections, and training to enhance officer transparency and civil rights compliance in law enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2153: 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.

HB 2153, known as "Katherine's Law," creates a new offense called "aggravated domestic assault" under Tennessee law. This offense applies when someone intentionally or knowingly assaults a domestic abuse victim (as defined in existing law) using a deadly weapon, strangulation, or causing serious injury or death. Aggravated domestic assault is classified as a Class B felony, making it a more serious criminal charge than standard domestic assault. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Class B felony for aggravated domestic assault (deadly weapon/strangulation), strengthening penalties for severe cases per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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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 7, 2026

HB 1737: 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.

HB 1737 modifies Tennessee's firearm laws by removing specific criminal penalties related to firearm possession. It eliminates offenses for individuals convicted of stalking or DUI in certain circumstances (previously barred from carrying firearms), as well as for people under 25 who were adjudicated delinquent for certain juvenile offenses. The bill also removes the criminal prohibition against possessing or carrying weapons in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas. These changes amend multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated, including Title 39 (criminal procedure), Title 16 (criminal justice), and others, to update firearm possession restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for specific firearm offenses, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals by expanding rights for certain individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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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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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1864: 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.

SB 1864 modifies Tennessee's security guard licensing rules by adding stalking to the list of crimes requiring a five-year waiting period after completing a sentence or probation before an applicant can register. It also disqualifies applicants from security guard registration if they are listed on a state or out-of-state abuse registry or have firearm prohibitions (like orders of protection). The bill updates requirements for security guards to report arrests or convictions related to specified offenses within 10 days. These changes directly affect individuals seeking security guard licenses who have certain criminal histories.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds stalking to disqualifying crimes for security guards, requiring 5-year waiting period to enhance public safety and restrict access for individuals with certain criminal histories.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 1976: 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 1976 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies using body cameras to create written policies governing their use. The policies must mandate officers activate cameras during calls for service and public encounters (except during immediate threats), keep them on until the interaction ends, and notify people being recorded. Exceptions include asking occupants before entering homes without a warrant, victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault, and anonymous crime reporters if they request the camera be turned off. The bill directly affects all Tennessee police departments and officers using body cameras, ensuring consistent recording practices while protecting privacy in specific sensitive situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires body camera policies mandating activation during interactions, enhancing officer accountability and transparency in law enforcement, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Policing

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