by Nashville, Tennessee — Tennessee has launched the first-ever public database in the United States dedicated to tracking convicted domestic abusers, marking a significant shift in how states address domestic violence prevention and public awareness.
The registry officially went live on January 1 and is part of Savanna’s Law, a measure passed in memory of a young sheriff’s deputy whose death exposed dangerous gaps in access to an abuser’s criminal history.
Registry created in memory of slain deputy
The law honors Savanna Puckett, a 22-year-old deputy with the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend James Conn at her home on January 23, 2022.
Conn had a long history of domestic violence arrests — information Puckett reportedly did not know before they began dating.
Authorities said Conn shot Puckett in the torso and head, then set her home on fire. He later pleaded guilty to her murder in August 2023 and was sentenced to life in prison.
What Savanna’s Law does
Savanna’s Law was signed by Bill Lee in May 2025 and required the state to create a domestic abuser registry bearing Puckett’s name.
The database includes:
- Names
- Photographs
- Dates of birth
of individuals convicted of at least two domestic violence-related offenses in Tennessee.
The registry is managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and is publicly accessible, allowing residents to check whether someone has a documented pattern of domestic abuse convictions.
Mother pushed lawmakers for change
Following her daughter’s death, Puckett’s mother, Kim Dodson, became a leading advocate for the registry, urging lawmakers to ensure other victims had access to information her daughter never did.
Dodson said seeing Conn’s full criminal history after her daughter’s death was devastating.
“I was just horrified when I finally saw all those records because I know Savanna well enough that she would have never dated him,” Dodson told WSMV. “I honestly, honestly, honestly feel that if she had known that, she could still be here.”
Dodson has said her goal was not punishment, but prevention — giving people a chance to protect themselves before entering dangerous relationships.
Registry includes key limitations
While the registry is being hailed as groundbreaking, it does come with notable limitations.
An offender’s inclusion in the database depends on the consent of the victim. If the victim does not agree to have the abuser listed, the offender can avoid appearing on the registry, even if they meet the conviction threshold.
In addition, the database does not include offenders convicted before January 1, meaning the current list is limited and expected to grow gradually over time.
Modeled after sex offender registry
State officials said the domestic abuser registry was modeled after Tennessee’s sex offender registry, which includes decades of data, interactive maps, and a list of wanted violators.
By comparison, the domestic violence registry is still in its early stages and does not yet include mapping tools or historical listings, though officials have suggested it could expand in the future.
Tennessee’s domestic violence crisis
The registry comes amid longstanding concerns about domestic violence in the state. Tennessee has repeatedly ranked among the top 10 states for domestic violence homicides.
In 2019, Tennessee tied with South Carolina for fifth-highest femicide rate in the country, according to reporting by WTVF.
Advocates say the new registry is a critical step toward transparency, accountability, and early intervention.
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Supporters call registry a life-saving tool
Supporters argue the database gives people — especially those entering new relationships — access to information that could prevent abuse or save lives.
Lawmakers backing the bill say Savanna’s Law honors its namesake by turning tragedy into action and providing a resource they hope other states will follow.
Critics, however, have raised questions about privacy, victim consent requirements, and whether the registry goes far enough.
A model other states may follow
Despite the debate, Tennessee now stands alone as the first state to implement a publicly searchable domestic abuser registry.
Advocates believe it could become a national model, especially as states look for new ways to combat intimate partner violence and protect victims before abuse escalates.
Do you think other states should create similar domestic abuser registries?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on whether this approach could help prevent future tragedies.
