NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A new Tennessee law requires a mental health evaluation for those convicted of serious crimes, including domestic assault and child abuse.
The law is highlighting underlying issues with mental health, and its purpose is to try to get offenders convicted of certain abuse mental health care before sentencing. The new law applies to those convicted of the following:
Domestic assaultChild abuseChild neglect or endangermentAggravated child abuseAggravated child neglect or endangermentCruelty to animalsAggravated cruelty to animals
It is also an attempt to stop repeat offenses by addressing those mental issues.
Domestic violence survivor Daun Bauman told FOX 17 News the new law is a good step in the right direction.
“What this does is protect future victims, all the victims after me,” she said.
FOX 17 News first reported on Daun Bauman’s case back in September 2024.
She said her then-husband, Stephen Sterling, hit her at their Hermitage home in August 2024, after a night out on Broadway.
“He was intoxicated,” she said. “He knocked me unconscious, kicked me while I was on the ground, and I suffered a concussion as a result.”
Sterling was arrested and charged with domestic assault, and he is still going through the court system.
He has a previous felony conviction for especially aggravated stalking in Williamson County.
Bauman said that signifies a pattern.
“I think it just demonstrated how volatile the situation can get,” she said.
The new Tennessee law regarding convicted offenders of certain abuse crimes undergoing mental health evaluations took effect January 1st.
Speaker Cameron Sexton spearheaded the legislation.
“If you get the people the mental health work that they need to overcome these issues that they have, then public safety would be protecting another person from domestic violence,” said Sexton. “Maybe the animal cruelty (conviction) escalates and a lot of times you see that lead to harming other people.”
“Do you think in Stephen’s case a mental health evaluation would be warranted?” I asked Bauman.
“In Stephen’s case it would be warranted so he can get the help necessary to not re-offend,” she replied.
The Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS) would refer the offenders to a community mental health center or a qualified mental health professional.
If the mental health evaluation determines the convicted offender needs help, outpatient treatment would be provided.
Although the mental health evaluation would happen before sentencing, the treatment would be a part of sentencing.
But Bauman said the new law lacks oversight of the enforcement of the mental health treatment.
In Sterling’s case, he violated his probation by committing a new domestic assault.
“It’s a marvelous idea on paper. The problem is that there’s no follow-up,” said Bauman on the new Tennessee law.
A source in the court system told FOX 17 News judges are in charge of ensuring offenders follow through with treatment.
If they are found in violation, they can go to jail.
Who pays for it?
The defendant has to pay for the costs of the mental health evaluation and court-ordered treatment unless the defendant is declared indigent.
If the offender is indigent, then DMHSAS would pay for it.