Tennessee Creates First Domestic Violence Offender Registry: Could Virginia Be Next?

On January 1, 2026, Tennessee implemented the first domestic violence offender registry in the United States. The registry was created under Savanna’s Law and requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to maintain a public database listing individuals who have been convicted of multiple domestic violence offenses. The database includes identifying information such as name, date of birth, photo, and counties of conviction. It is designed to identify patterns of repeat violence without publishing home addresses or Social Security numbers.

The law was enacted in response to the 2022 murder of Deputy Savanna Puckett by a former partner with a known history of domestic violence. Legislators concluded that critical information about repeat offenders was too difficult for the public to access in real time. The registry is intended to close that gap.

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Virginia does not have a domestic violence offender registry. Instead, the Commonwealth relies on criminal penalties, enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders, civil protective orders, and firearm restrictions.

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Whether registries like this become the national trend remains to be seen, but Virginia practitioners should anticipate that the issue may come up in the future. When one state creates a first-in-the-nation public safety database, others inevitably begin evaluating how similar issues may arise in their own jurisdictions.

Tennessee’s registry represents a new approach to tracking repeat domestic violence offenders. The policy argument behind the law is that patterns of violence often remain hidden until tragedy occurs.

For now, Virginia’s framework remains focused on criminal enforcement, protective orders, and enhanced penalties for repeat behavior. Tennessee has chosen a different path, and its experience will be closely watched by courts, lawmakers, and practitioners across the country.

Rob Hagy is a Virginia divorce and family law attorney serving Charlottesville, Virginia, and surrounding communities. You can see more content from Rob at www.charlottesvilledivorceattorney.com and at www.virginiafamilylawjournal.com.