SB 139 South Dakota Senate · 2026 Regular Session

revise a provision related to the transportation of an inmate upon discharge from a correctional facility.

SB 139 revises South Dakota law to clarify transportation requirements for inmates being discharged from correctional facilities. It requires correctional facilities to provide transportation to a location chosen by the inmate from three options: the county where the inmate lived at the time of the offense, the county where they received their sentence, or any location at the same distance as the closer of those two counties (based on mileage). This change gives inmates more flexibility in selecting a release location while ensuring transportation is provided to a reasonably accessible place near their previous residence or sentencing location. The bill directly affects inmates released from South Dakota correctional facilities under parole, suspended sentences, or final discharge.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate Judiciary Engrossed Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 9, 2026
MINOR
The bill transitions from a browser compatibility notice to the official enrolled version of Senate Bill 139, which mandates that correctional facilities provide inmates with suitable clothing, a specific sum of money, and transportation to their home county or a location of equivalent distance upon release. This ensures released individuals have the necessary resources to reintegrate into their communities.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains consistent as it continues to apply to all inmates being discharged from correctional facilities via parole, suspended sentence, or final discharge.
REQUIREMENT

Establishes a legal requirement for correctional facility officials to provide inmates with suitable clothing, a sum of money determined by the secretary of corrections, and transportation to their residence county or an equivalent distance location upon discharge.

TECHNICAL

Adds the official enrolled text, including signatures from the Governor and legislative officers, certifying the bill's final passage and approval for the 2026 session.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
9
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Mar 30, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 S.J. 548
executive
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the President S.J. 505
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 2 H.J. 523
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 279
lower
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 221
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 17
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Judiciary Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0 S.J. 17
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Judiciary Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 17 Amendment 139A
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 130
upper
10 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors