We believe our Pennsylvania legislators should pay close attention in 2026 to the state of Tennessee.

On Jan. 1, a new law will be implemented in the Volunteer State — one we believe could serve as a model for Pennsylvania — and, really, every state.

“The newly enacted law will go on to create a registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for people convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense and make offender information publicly available online beginning next year,” The Tennessean, a daily newspaper based in Nashville recently reported.

The law “provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable,” state Rep. Sabi Kumar said, according to The Tennessean.

Tennessee estimates at least 1,838 offenders will be required to register in the first year based on data from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Correction Jail Summary Reports.

We believe in transparency. We believe our society functions better — and our neighbors and family members are safer — when they can be better informed.

The registry is built upon convictions that already are clearly part of the public record. It can provide a potential victim or potential survivor critically important opportunities to avoid violent predators. It can provide people a chance to make informed decisions about who their neighbors are — and whether they want people who engage in horrific, unspeakable violence when the victim is vulnerable to be part of their workplace, their club or civic organization, their neighborhood group.

We are optimistic that the law will make Tennessee safer and more just. And we believe Pennsylvania — and 48 other states — can learn from this example and find similar ways to expose the predators that plague every corner of our society.