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HB 1624

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a criminal offense of knowingly violating a no contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or conditions of probation or parole following conviction for certain criminal offenses in which the alleged victim of the offense is a domestic abuse victim; punishes a violation as a Class A misdemeanor. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Jody Barrett

Tennessee bill criminalizes no-contact order violations in domestic abuse cases as Class A misdemeanor, creating new enforcement mechanism for protecting abuse victims.

Transmitted to Governor for his action.
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Bill Summary · HB 1624

Legislative bill overview

HB 1624 creates a new criminal offense in Tennessee for knowingly violating a no-contact order that was issued as part of a sentence or probation/parole conditions following conviction for certain domestic abuse-related crimes. Violations would be prosecuted as Class A misdemeanors, carrying potential jail time and fines.

Why is this important

Domestic abuse victims often face ongoing danger from perpetrators despite protective orders. This bill aims to strengthen enforcement mechanisms by creating explicit criminal liability for violations, potentially providing additional legal tools for prosecution and deterrence. The measure reflects broader legislative attention to holding offenders accountable for breaching court-ordered protections.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: The bill references "certain criminal offenses" without fully specifying which offenses qualify, potentially creating ambiguity in application and raising due process questions about which victims receive this enhanced protection.
  • Enforcement burden: Police and prosecutors must identify, document, and prosecute violations, requiring dedicated resources; courts may face increased caseloads.
  • Double punishment concerns: Critics may argue this creates overlapping penalties since violating court orders can already result in contempt charges, raising questions about whether enhanced prosecution addresses root causes or simply adds criminal layers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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