Tennessee

Number of Registered Sex Offenders: 7,873

Latest Events

Recent Action: October 2005, concern rising as loopholes found in existing law (including lack of residency requirements for offenders convicted before 2000). Ongoing GPS tracking debate, with pilot program in place being scrutinized.

Statutes

Sex Offender Registration
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-39-201

Community Notification of Sexual Offenders
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-39-206

Sexual Offenses Against Children and Penalties
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-504, § 39-13-506, § 39-13-522, § 39-13-527

Crimes Involving the Prostitution of Children
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-103

Child Abuse Crimes: Homicide
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202

Regulations

Registration: Adults (juveniles not specified); 2 tiers; within 48 hours of release, establishment or change of residence, start of employment or becoming a student; foreign convictions are registrable; notification of changes: within 48 hours

Notification: passive; mandatory; no specified time frame; applicable to adult sex offenders convicted after July 1, 1997; offender required to notify law enforcement for college where attending or working

Risk Designation: no specified tiers; no provision for hearing

Tracking: verification of registry info every 90 days, in person; duration of registration 10 years (by request) or life

Residency Requirements: apply to sexual offenders and violent sexual offenders; prohibits residing within 1,000 feet of public, private or parochial school or child care facility; also prohibits residing in same location where a minor resides

Penalties: Class E felony; increasing penalties for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (plus) offenses

Resources

Website of Registry: http://www.ticic.state.tn.us/SEX_ofndr/search_short.asp
Relevant State Entity: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation