TENNESSEE TO LAUNCH FIRST PUBLIC REGISTRY FOR REPEAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS
Starting January 1, 2026, Tennessee will implement Savanna’s Law, establishing the nation’s first public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders, maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This free, searchable online database targets individuals convicted of at least two domestic violence offenses against a domestic abuse victim, listing their name, date of birth, conviction dates and counties, and a current photograph (while excluding addresses and identification numbers).
Registration is triggered when someone with prior convictions faces a new qualifying conviction on or after the effective date, though victim consent may be required in certain cases, and offenders pay a $150 fee to support administration and prevention programs.
The law is named in memory of Robertson County Deputy Savanna Puckett, a 22-year-old officer murdered in her Springfield home on January 23, 2022, by her ex-boyfriend, James Jackson Conn, who had a prior history of domestic assault arrests; Conn later pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated arson, and related charges, receiving a life sentence.
Advocates hope the registry will enhance prevention by making repeat offenders’ histories more accessible, potentially averting future tragedies.
