Tennessee § 20-14-105 - Hearing on petition — Response — Relevant testimony — Duration of injunction — Renewal of injunction.

§ 20-14-105. Hearing on petition — Response — Relevant testimony — Duration of injunction — Renewal of injunction.

Within ten (10) days of the filing of the petition under this chapter or as soon as practical thereafter, but in no case later than thirty (30) days after the filing of the petition, a hearing shall be held on the petition for the injunction. In the event a hearing cannot be scheduled within the county where the case is pending within the thirty-day period, it shall be scheduled and heard as soon as possible. The respondent may file a response that explains, excuses, justifies, or denies the alleged unlawful violence or credible threat of violence or may file a cross-complaint under this chapter. At the hearing, the judge shall receive any testimony that is relevant and may make an independent inquiry. If the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent engaged in unlawful violence or made a credible threat of violence, an injunction shall be issued prohibiting further unlawful violence or threats of violence at the workplace or while the employee or employer is acting within the course and scope of employment. An injunction issued pursuant to this chapter shall have a duration of not more than three (3) years. At any time within the three-month period before the expiration of the injunction, the petitioner may apply for a renewal of the injunction by filing a new petition for an injunction pursuant to this chapter. Acts 2002, ch. 541, § 6; 2011, ch. 315, § 5. Compiler's Notes. For the preamble to the act concerning laws related to violence in the workplace, please refer to Acts 2011, ch. 315. Amendments. The 2011 amendment, in the fifth sentence, substituted “an injunction shall be issued” for “an injunction shall issue”, substituted “workplace” for “employee’s workplace” and substituted “the employee or employer is acting within the course and scope of employment” for “the employee is acting within the course and scope of employment with the employer” at the end. Effective Dates. Acts 2011, ch. 315, § 7. May 27, 2011.