State Rep. Sabi “Doc” Kumar, R-Springfield, has introduced Savanna’s Law, a bill aimed at tracking repeat domestic violence offenders. House Bill 1200 would create a registry within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense. If passed, the registry would make offender information, such as their […]
State Rep. Sabi “Doc” Kumar, R-Springfield, has introduced Savanna’s Law, a bill aimed at tracking repeat domestic violence offenders.
House Bill 1200 would create a registry within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense. If passed, the registry would make offender information, such as their name, date of birth, conviction date, county of conviction and a current photograph, publicly available online. However it would not disclose sensitive personal details such as addresses or Social Security numbers, ensuring privacy protection.
The bill is named in honor of Robertson County Deputy Sheriff Savanna Puckett, who was tragically murdered by someone she was previously in a relationship with on Jan. 23, 2022. James Jackson Conn pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder and is serving a life sentence. Investigators later discovered Conn had prior offenses for domestic assault.
“Savanna’s Law provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable,” said Kumar. “The registry will give communities the tools they need to stay informed and safe.”
House Bill 1200 requires courts to order offenders convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense to register with the TBI. The court clerk must send a certified copy of the conviction to the bureau within seven days. The law includes a $150 registration fee, with $50 retained by the court clerk for administrative costs and $100 sent to the TBI to maintain the registry.
House Bill 1200 will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 19.