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HB 361

Orders of Protection - As enacted, expands the courts in Shelby County that can hear a petition for an order of protection to include a criminal court when the criminal court is hearing a criminal matter involving a domestic abuse victim, sexual assault victim, or stalking victim; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 16; Title 18 and Title 36.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Antonio Parkinson

Tennessee bill allows criminal courts in Shelby County to issue protective orders for domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking victims when hearing related criminal cases, streamlining victim safety processes.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 246
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Bill Summary · HB 361

Legislative bill overview

HB 361 expands which courts in Shelby County can issue orders of protection by allowing criminal courts to hear protection petitions when they're already handling a related criminal case involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated sections covering domestic relations, criminal procedure, and judicial organization.

Why is this important

Orders of protection are critical legal tools that restrict contact and provide safety measures for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. By allowing criminal courts to issue these orders simultaneously with criminal proceedings, victims can obtain protection more efficiently without separate civil court filings, potentially reducing delays and duplicative court appearances that can compromise victim safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Judicial workload concerns: Criminal courts may face increased administrative burden if they now handle both criminal cases and protective order issuance, potentially affecting case processing times
  • Due process considerations: Defendants may argue that combining criminal and civil protection proceedings in one court creates conflicts of interest or complicates their right to defend against allegations
  • Geographic limitation: The law applies only to Shelby County (Memphis area), raising questions about why similar protections aren't extended to other Tennessee counties or whether this creates unequal access to expedited protection orders statewide

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

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