TennesseeTennessee counts some out-of-state felonies for lifetime protection orders
People seeking a lifetime protection order may rely on certain out-of-state felonies, and must file in the respondent’s county or, in some cases, their own.
What it does
Certain out-of-state felonies count as offenses listed in Tennessee’s lifetime protection order law when they match a listed Tennessee offense.
Petitions based on these out-of-state felonies must be handled where the respondent lives, or where the petitioner lives if the respondent lives outside Tennessee.
Argument forPeople seeking a lifetime protection order may be able to use an out-of-state felony if it matches a Tennessee-listed offense.
Argument againstPeople seeking an order over an out-of-state felony may have fewer county choices because they cannot file where the offense occurred.
More detail
Tennessee law counts certain out-of-state felonies among the offenses listed for lifetime protection orders. This applies to felony offenses committed in another state. The offense must be listed in the law or, if it is not identified there, have the same elements as a comparable Tennessee offense that is listed. The act took effect when it became law.
A petition under the out-of-state felony provision, and related matters, must be handled in the respondent’s county or, if the respondent lives outside Tennessee, the petitioner’s county. This applies to petitions under the out-of-state felony provision and other matters related to those orders. These petitions do not have the separate option of using the county where the offense occurred.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1118Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 89, Nays 0, PNV 2Passed House
- Mar 5Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 3Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 2Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0, PNV 1Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/2/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Feb 27Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/2/2026
- Feb 24Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 2/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 23Filed for introductionIntroduced
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