Juvenile Offenders - As enacted, expands the delinquent acts that constitute a violent juvenile sexual offense for purposes of the sexual offender registry to include an adjudication of delinquency for an act that, if committed by an adult, constitutes the criminal offense of rape of a child if the victim is less than four years younger than the offender and the judge, taking into account the facts and circumstances surrounding the delinquent act, orders that the juvenile be required to register as a violent juvenile sexual offender, rather than only if the victim is at least four years younger than the offender. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.
This law expands the list of crimes that require juveniles to register as violent sexual offenders in Tennessee. Under the new rules, a juvenile adjudicated for raping a child must register if the victim is at least four years younger than them. Additionally, a judge can now order registration even if the victim is less than four years younger, provided the judge considers the specific facts and circumstances of the case. The change applies to acts committed on or after July 1, 2024, and affects how courts handle registration requirements for young offenders.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Mar 2024
House Passage
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Jan 31, 2024
Signed May 1, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2024 · House Mar 11, 2024
How they voted
22–2
Passed
Total votes 24
Apr 10, 2024
D
Democratic2
100% Nay
R
Republican22
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
10
Committee
7
Amendments
1
May 1, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 22, 2024
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 22, 2024
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 10, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 26, Nays 3
upper
Mar 14, 2024
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Mar 11, 2024
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0634)
lower
Mar 11, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 97, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Mar 6, 2024
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/7/2024
lower
Mar 5, 2024
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Feb 28, 2024
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Criminal Justice Committee for 3/5/2024
lower
Feb 27, 2024
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Criminal Justice Committee
lower
Feb 21, 2024
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 2/27/2024
lower
Feb 6, 2024
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 1, 2024
Committee
P2C, ref. to Criminal Justice Committee
lower
Jan 31, 2024
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
David Hawk
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 2279
Scope: TN
Hi! I can help you understand HB 2279. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline