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SB 833

Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement officer who becomes aware that an order of protection has been entered against a person in the officer’s presence but has not been served on the person to take appropriate steps to facilitate service of the order of protection, including notifying the sheriff’s department of the person’s immediate location; requires the curriculum of the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission to include instruction on such requirements. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 6; Title 38 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

Tennessee law would require police to facilitate service of unserved protection orders by notifying sheriffs of suspects' locations and mandate training on these duties.

Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 833

Legislative bill overview

SB 833 requires law enforcement officers who encounter a person subject to an unserved protection order to actively facilitate service of that order, including notifying the sheriff's department of the person's location. The bill also mandates that Tennessee's peace officer training curriculum include instruction on these new requirements.

Why is this important

Protection orders are legal tools designed to prevent abuse and harassment, but they only provide protection when effectively served and enforced. This bill addresses a potential enforcement gap where officers might encounter protected individuals but lack clear procedures to ensure timely service, potentially leaving vulnerable people unprotected during critical moments.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and locational tracking concerns: Requiring officers to report a person's "immediate location" to the sheriff's department raises questions about surveillance scope and whether this could be misused for purposes beyond service of process.
  • Resource and implementation burden: Sheriffs' departments may face increased workload managing location notifications and coordinating service, with unclear funding mechanisms or staffing considerations.
  • Officer discretion and liability: The vague standard of "appropriate steps" could create ambiguity about what constitutes compliance, potentially exposing officers to liability and creating inconsistent enforcement across jurisdictions.

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

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