(a) By January 1, 2024, each local law enforcement agency must begin collaboration between existing law enforcement agency resources and available community resources as an adultsexual assault response team (SART), which will assist in identifying gaps in service and improving response systems for sexual assault involving adult victims that occur within the agency’s jurisdiction. A team may meet, in person or by telephone or virtual means, periodically as needed.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 38-1-903
Adult: means a person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older or otherwise emancipated. See Tennessee Code 38-1-902
Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) A team may include members who respond to and work with victims and have expertise in a variety of disciplines relevant to sexual assault response. A SART may include, but is not limited to:
(1) Victim advocates;(2) Law enforcement;(3) Criminal prosecutors;(4) Healthcare services providers; and(5) Mental health services providers.(c)(1) Except by court order or as provided in subdivision (c)(2), communications occurring at a SART meeting are confidential and not subject to title 10, chapter 7.(2) This subsection (c) does not prevent the district attorney general and counsel for a defendant from providing to each other in a pending criminal case, where the constitutional rights of the defendant require it, information which otherwise would be held confidential under this subsection (c).
