NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Gov. Bill Lee signed The Debbie and Marie Domestic Violence Protection Act into law on Tuesday, which lawmakers have called one of the most consequential bills they passed this last legislative session.
Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski, sponsored the bill, which makes GPS monitoring a condition of bail for certain domestic violence and aggravated stalking charges. This would be a device worn by and paid for by the offender.
GPS service providers then notify a victim’s cell phone if their alleged attacker is within a certain proximity of their location. The company must also notify local law enforcement if a defendant violates the terms of their bond conditions.
The bill — which will go into effect July 1 — was named after Debbie Sisco and Marie Varsos who were killed by Marie’s husband Shaun back in 2021.
Shaun had strangled Marie a month before the shooting and was later arrested.
Marie filed for an order of protection, but that wasn’t enough to keep Shaun from tracking her down at her mother’s home.
Shaun waited outside his mother-in-law’s home for hours searching for signs of Marie, before eventually opening fire.
Armed with her gun, Marie fired several rounds back at Shaun while simultaneously on the phone with 911.
Shaun was hit three times, but Marie and Debbie died from their injuries. He later took his own life.
Alex Youn is Marie’s brother and Debbie’s son who’s been advocating for GPS monitoring ever since.
“While several things could have been done to make it harder for my brother-in-law to harm our family, there’s only one thing that I’ve been able to identify that if implemented at the time of their death, they might still be with us here today,” Youn said.
Had Shaun been wearing a GPS monitoring device, Youn told lawmakers his family could have had a chance.
“They could’ve contacted law enforcement, secured their firearms faster, strategized a plan, and even had time to say goodbye,” Youn said
Lawmakers agreed with Youn calling it one of the most consequential pieces of legislation passed in the latest legislative session.
If you have questions about this bill, you can email me at levi.ismail@newschannel5.com.
We know getting help may seem daunting, scary and complex. Below are some jumping-off points in your county.
All counties: Morning Star Sanctuary - (615) 860-0188 / Nurture the Next - (615) 383-0994 / The Mary Parrish Center - (615) 256-5959 / YWCA Nashville - (615) 983-5160
Bedford / Coffee County: Haven of Hope - (931) 728-1133
Cheatham County: Safe Haven of Cheatham County - (615) 681-5863
Cannon County: Cannon County S.A.V.E - (615)-563-6690
Clay County: Genesis House - (931) 525-1637
Davidson County: Family & Children Services - (615) 320-0591 / Family Safety Center - (615) 880-1100 / Jean Crowe Advocacy Center - (615) 862-4767
Dickson and Hickman Counties: Women Are Safe (931) 729-9885
Giles County: The Shelter, Inc. - (931) 762-1115
Grundy County: Families in Crisis, Inc. - (931) 473-6543
Houston / Montgomery Counties: Urban Methodist Urban Ministries Safehouse - (931) 648-9100
Maury County: Center of Hope - (931) 840-0916
Robertson / Sumner / Wilson Counties: HomeSafe Inc. - (615) 452-5439
Rutherford County: Domestic & Sexual Assault Center - (615) 896-7377
Williamson County: Bridges Domestic Violence Center - (615) 599-5777
