Tennessee House Bill HB0470

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 17; Title 25; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to the Gabby Act.

Impact

One of the notable aspects of HB 470 is the introduction of the Purple Alert system, which aims to create a rapid communication channel statewide for locating missing or endangered victims of domestic violence. The TBI will issue alerts upon receiving reports of such individuals, thereby raising public awareness and facilitating quicker responses from law enforcement. The bill also modifies existing statutes to broaden the definition of victims eligible for certain support services to include those affected by domestic abuse, indicating a shift towards more comprehensive victim assistance.

Summary

House Bill 470, known as the Gabby Act, seeks to amend various titles of the Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the state's legislative framework regarding domestic violence and child abuse. The bill establishes a domestic violence and child abuse task force within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), designed to assist local law enforcement agencies with serious cases involving domestic violence and child abuse. This task force will have the authority to provide support through resource allocation, surveillance assistance, and witness interviews, which is intended to ensure timely and effective responses to such cases.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 470 highlight the balance between enhancing law enforcement’s capacities and ensuring victim rights and privacy. The expansion of the TBI's role through the establishment of the task force and Purple Alert system has raised questions about the adequacy of funding and the implications for local agencies. Critics might argue that while the intent is to bolster support for victims, the increased centralization of response efforts could potentially overlook the nuanced needs of local communities, resulting in a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing domestic violence and child abuse.