Bill named after Tennessee High student, mother killed in shooting seeks to create TBI headed domestic violence and child abuse task force

A Northeast Tennessee lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to establish a domestic violence and child abuse task force through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

HB1526, known as “The Gabby Act” was filed last month by Rep. John Crawford of Sullivan County, and is named after Tennessee High School student Gabby Kennedy who along with her mother Kristina Kennedy, were victims of a domestic shooting reportedly caused by her estranged husband last October.

The measure would have the task force provide resources to victims of domestic abuse and child abuse including surveillance and conducting witness interviews alongside a local law enforcement agency along with that local agency allowed to authorize a request for the task force if an arrest warrant or search warrant is unable to be served in the specified 3-5 day time period. The bill is currently assigned to the Criminal Justice subcommittee.