Tennessee § 36-3-606 - Scope of protection order.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-606 — Scope of protection order., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 36-3-606. Scope of protection order.
A protection order granted under this part to protect the petitioner from domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault may include, but is not limited to: Directing the respondent to refrain from committing domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault or threatening to commit domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault against the petitioner or the petitioner's minor children; Prohibiting the respondent from coming about the petitioner for any purpose, from telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating with the petitioner, directly or indirectly; Prohibiting the respondent from stalking the petitioner, as defined in § 39-17-315; Granting to the petitioner possession of the residence or household to the exclusion of the respondent by evicting the respondent, by restoring possession to the petitioner, or by both; Directing the respondent to provide suitable alternate housing for the petitioner when the respondent is the sole owner or lessee of the residence or household; Awarding temporary custody of, or establishing temporary visitation rights with regard to, any minor children born to or adopted by the parties; Awarding financial support to the petitioner and such persons as the respondent has a duty to support. Except in cases of paternity, the court shall not have the authority to order financial support unless the petitioner and respondent are legally married. Such order may be enforced pursuant to chapter 5 of this title; Directing the respondent to attend available counseling programs that address violence and control issues or substance abuse problems. A violation of a protection order or part of such order that directs counseling pursuant to this subdivision (a)(8) may be punished as criminal or civil contempt. Section 36-3-610(a) applies with respect to a nonlawyer general sessions judge who holds a person in criminal contempt for violating this subdivision (a)(8); Directing the care, custody, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either party or a minor residing in the household. In no instance shall the animal be placed in the care, custody, or control of the respondent, but shall instead be placed in the care, custody or control of the petitioner or in an appropriate animal foster situation; Directing the respondent to immediately and temporarily vacate a residence shared with the petitioner, pending a hearing on the matter, notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary; Directing the respondent to pay the petitioner all costs, expenses and fees pertaining to the petitioner's breach of a lease or rental agreement for residential property if the petitioner is a party to the lease or rental agreement and if the court finds that continuing to reside in the rented or leased premises may jeopardize the life, health and safety of the petitioner or the petitioner's children. Nothing in this subdivision (a)(11) shall be construed as altering the terms of, liability for, or parties to such lease or rental agreement; or Ordering a wireless service provider to transfer the billing responsibility for and rights to the wireless telephone number or numbers to a petitioner pursuant to § 36-3-621. Relief granted pursuant to subdivisions (a)(4)-(8) shall be ordered only after the petitioner and respondent have been given an opportunity to be heard by the court. Any order of protection issued under this part shall include the statement of the maximum penalty that may be imposed pursuant to § 36-3-610 for violating such order. No order of protection made under this part shall in any manner affect title to any real property. An order of protection issued pursuant to this part shall be valid and enforceable in any county of this state. An order of protection issued pursuant to this part that fully complies with 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) shall contain the disclosures set out in § 36-3-625(a). Acts 1979, ch. 350, §§ 6-8; T.C.A., §§ 36-1206 —36-1208; Acts 1987, ch. 270, §§ 7, 12; 1991, ch. 380, § 4; 1995, ch. 507, § 4; 1996, ch. 684, § 2; 1996, ch. 734, § 1, 2; 1997, ch. 459, §§ 2, 3; 2001, ch. 352, § 2; 2005, ch. 381, § 5; 2007, ch. 352, § 2; 2009, ch. 455, § 2; 2010, ch. 959, § 1; 2010, ch. 981, § 1; 2011, ch. 253, § 1; 2011, ch. 402, § 2; 2016, ch. 865, § 1; 2018, ch. 729, § 2. Amendments. The 2018 amendment added (a)(12). Effective Dates. Acts 2018, ch. 729, § 3. April 18, 2018. Cross-References. Civil contempt, title 29, ch. 9. Criminal contempt, Tenn. R. Crim. P. 42. Law Reviews. Safe Haven Conundrum: The Use of Special Bailments To Keep Pets Out of Violent Households, 12 Tenn. J. L. & Pol'y 79 (2017). Attorney General Opinions. The domestic violence state coordinating council does not have authority to assess fees to offenders who are ordered by the courts to attend a batterers' intervention program, OAG 00-080, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 83 (5/1/00). Issuance of ex parte order of protection; discretion to order respondent to vacate residence shared with petitioner pending hearing. OAG 10-06, 2010 Tenn. AG LEXIS 6 (1/19/10). Confidentiality of orders of protection. OAG 11-9, 2011 Tenn. AG LEXIS 9 (1/18/11).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 36-3-606
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-606 cover?
Section 36-3-606 ("Scope of protection order.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 36-3-606?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-3-606" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 36-3-606 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.