HB 1187 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

add coaches to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.

HB 1187 adds coaches to South Dakota's list of mandatory reporters required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The bill directly affects coaches who work with children under 18, including those in school sports, youth programs, or other settings involving minors. Coaches would now be legally obligated to report suspected abuse or neglect, just like teachers, doctors, and other existing mandatory reporters listed in state law. This change aligns coaches with similar professionals already required to make such reports under South Dakota statutes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 10, 2026
MINOR
This bill adds coaches of school activities to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect in South Dakota. Previously, coaches were not explicitly listed as required to report suspected child abuse, but this change brings them into compliance with the state's child protection laws alongside other professionals like teachers and medical staff.
Scope change
Expanded the list of mandatory reporters to include coaches of school activities, broadening who is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
ELIGIBILITY

Coaches of school activities are now included in the list of mandatory reporters for child abuse or neglect under SDCL 26-8A-3.

REQUIREMENT

The statutory language in Section 26-8A-3 was amended to explicitly require coaches to report suspected child abuse or neglect, aligning them with other mandated professionals.

Floor votes · House Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Mar 30, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 H.J. 578
executive
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 526
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 492
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 37
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0 S.J. 37
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 260
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0 H.J. 296
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
House of Representatives Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 296 Amendment 1187B
lower
Feb 11, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (66-0-4)
house
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, H.J. 14
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Judiciary Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0 H.J. 14
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Introduced
Judiciary Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 14 Amendment 1187A
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 178
lower
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors