HB 1108 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

require the sealing of court files upon dismissal or denial of a petition for a protection order.

HB 1108 allows courts to immediately seal court files when protection order petitions are dismissed, either initially or after a hearing. This applies directly to individuals whose protection order cases (covered under South Dakota statutes §22-19A-8 and §25-10-3) are dismissed by a judge. The key provision requires courts to grant sealing of the entire court file upon dismissal, rather than requiring additional steps or waiting periods. This change provides a streamlined process for removing sensitive court records from public view in dismissed cases. The bill affects anyone involved in a dismissed protection order case, focusing on expediting privacy protections.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Judiciary Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 9, 2026

MODERATE

This bill adds new requirements for courts to seal protection order petition files when they are dismissed or denied under specific circumstances. The changes convert what appears to be a browser compatibility notice into the actual legislative text and add formal enrolled language for the bill.

Scope change

The bill now includes new sections requiring courts to seal court files in specific situations involving protection order petitions, and applies these rules retroactively to electronic records.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that courts must seal protection order petition files when dismissed without a hearing.

Added requirement that courts must seal petition files when denied after a hearing if the petition was found to be harassing, frivolous, or abusive.

Added requirement for courts to notify law enforcement when sealing orders are issued.

Added requirement for law enforcement to make petition records nonpublic after receiving notification of sealing orders.

TIMELINE

Added retroactive application of sealing requirements to all electronic court records maintained by the Unified Judicial System.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 35

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic3

3 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican32

31 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 H.J. 578

executive

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 512

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 542

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 482

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (34-0-1)

senate

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 33

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 340

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 58, NAYS 9 H.J. 360

lower

Feb 18, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (58-9-3)

house

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Judiciary Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 1

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Judiciary Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1108A

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 113

lower

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors