Tennessee Launches First Domestic Violence Offender Registry January 2026

Tennessee will implement the nation's first publicly accessible domestic violence offender registry on January 1, 2026, under legislation enacted this year known as Savanna's Law. The measure requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to maintain a list of people convicted of repeated domestic violence offenses and to publish basic identifying information, including name, date of birth, conviction date, county of conviction, and a photograph.

The law is named for Savanna Pucket, a Tennessee sheriff's deputy who was killed in 2022 by a former partner with a history of domestic violence. Legislators and advocates framed the registry as a tool to allow law enforcement to track repeat offenders and to create public pressure for behavioral change among those with multiple convictions. Officials described the registry as similar in form to existing sex offender registries, but focused on domestic violence offenses.

Domestic violence advocates in the region said the registry could provide immediate practical benefits for survivors and for community members forming new relationships. "Holding offenders accountable is probably, in my opinion, the first part of that stand," Deana Lane with the Dr. Carol B. Berz Family Justice Center said. "When they've had multiple convictions, it's really helpful, especially if they're in the dating world or if they're dating someone new."

Advocates also noted limitations related to jurisdiction and completeness. The registry will only include Tennessee convictions, a constraint that matters in border communities where travel and relationships frequently cross state lines. "I would love to see this nationwide, honestly," Lane said. "This would be great, because this would not pick up convictions from Georgia, which is steps away from us, or Alabama, which is steps away from us."

For Decatur County residents the new registry will provide a new public record to consult when assessing personal safety, and law enforcement will have another tool for monitoring repeat domestic violence offenders. Local victim service providers may incorporate the registry into safety planning, outreach, and community education. At the same time, the registry raises policy questions about cross jurisdictional enforcement, how records will be verified and updated, and how communities will balance public safety with privacy and rehabilitation concerns.

The registry goes into effect New Year day, and county officials, law enforcement leaders, and service providers will need to coordinate on how to integrate the new records into local policing and victim support practices.