Domestic Violence

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included some details that are implied in the bill's summary and digest, such as the definition of 'domestic abuse victim' and the classification of aggravated domestic assault. These have been confirmed by the official text.

Katherine's Law: Aggravated Domestic Assault

This law makes certain types of domestic assault more serious crimes in Tennessee by classifying them as Class B felonies.

What This Bill Does

• Defines aggravated domestic assault as when someone intentionally or knowingly commits an assault against a domestic abuse victim using a deadly weapon, strangulation, and results in serious bodily injury or death.
• Classifies aggravated domestic assault as a Class B felony, which is punishable by imprisonment of no less than eight nor more than 30 years, a potential fine not to exceed $25,000, or both.
• Applies to offenses that happen on or after July 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who commit aggravated domestic assault against victims of domestic abuse.
• Victims of domestic abuse who are hurt by someone they have a close relationship with.

Terms To Know

Class B felony

A serious crime that can result in prison time and fines.

Domestic abuse victim

Someone who is hurt by someone they have a close relationship with, like a spouse or family member.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens to people who commit aggravated domestic assault before July 1, 2026.
• It's unclear how this law will be enforced and if it will reduce the number of domestic abuse cases in Tennessee.

Official Summary Text

This bill establishes that a
person commits aggravated domestic assault who,
intentionally or knowingly, commits an assault against a domestic abuse victim and the assault
meets all of the following criteria:



Either i
nvolves the use or display of a deadly weapon
,
or
i
nvolves strangulation
.


Either r
esults in serious bodily injury to another or

in the death of another.

This bill provides that such offense of a
ggravated domestic assault is
classified as
a Class B felony
and
applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2026.
A Class B felony is punishable by

a term of imprisonment of
no less than eight nor more than 30 years
, a potential
fine not to exceed

$25,000
, or both.

"DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIM" DEFINED

As used in this bill, a "d
omestic abuse victim
"
means any
of the following
perso
ns
:



Adults or minors who are current or former spouses
.


Adults or minors who live together or who have lived together
.


Adults or minors who are dating or who have dated or who have or had a sexual relationship
but not merely engaged in
fraternization between two individuals in a business or social context
.


Adults or minors related by blood or adoption
.


Adults or minors who are related or were formerly related by marriage
.


Adult or minor children of a person in a relationship that is described in
above.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2050
By Seal

HOUSE BILL 2153
By Davis
HB2153
011905
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
relative to criminal offenses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as "Katherine's Law."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following new section:
(a) A person commits aggravated domestic assault who, intentionally or
knowingly, commits an assault as defined in § 39-13-101, against a domestic abuse
victim, as defined in § 36-3-601, and the assault:
(1)
(A) Involves the use or display of a deadly weapon; or
(B) Involves strangulation; and
(2)
(A) Results in serious bodily injury to another; or
(B) Results in the death of another.
(b) Aggravated domestic assault is a Class B felony.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to offenses occurring on or after that date.