South Dakota Bills

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 81: clarify the prohibition on injuring or harassing a service animal.

SB 81 clarifies South Dakota's law against harming service animals by specifying that it is illegal to maliciously beat, injure, harass, or interfere with a service animal that is controlled by a person with a disability and wearing a harness or control device. The bill directly affects individuals with disabilities who rely on service animals and anyone who might harass or harm such animals. It explicitly defines "service animal" as a dog trained to perform tasks directly related to a person's disability (per federal guidelines), excluding emotional support, comfort, or crime deterrent effects. The law makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to violate these provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bobbi Andera (R) Heather Baxter (R) John Carley (R) Logan Manhart (R) Carl Perry (R)

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1188: limit the liability of law enforcement officers and others when removing a disabled vehicle from a highway, a right of way, or public waters.

HB 1188 clarifies that law enforcement, highway patrols, or authorized personnel must arrange for the removal of disabled vehicles (or spilled cargo) from highways, roadside areas, or public waters if they obstruct traffic or create safety hazards. Vehicle owners are responsible for all removal costs incurred by the state or local agencies. The bill limits liability for officials and removal agencies, stating they cannot be held liable for damages to the vehicle, cargo, or personal property unless there was gross negligence or willful misconduct during removal. This directly affects vehicle owners (who pay costs) and public safety officials (who gain liability protection under defined conditions).

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1084: amend provisions pertaining to the public availability of information contained in certain records.

HB 1084 amends South Dakota law to restrict public access to certain personal information in voter registration records. It specifically protects home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for judicial officers (magistrate, circuit, or Supreme Court judges), elected or appointed state/federal officials, and law enforcement officers. The bill clarifies that such "personally identifiable information" will no longer be available through public inspection of voter records, while maintaining that a voter's city and county residence remains public. These changes apply to the statewide and county master voter registration files maintained by county auditors.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 153: prohibit certain restrictions in employment contracts for community services providers.

SB 153 prohibits employment contracts from restricting community services providers (who work with individuals with developmental disabilities) from continuing to provide services after their employment ends. It makes contract clauses that block such continued service voidable, effective July 1, 2026. The law allows exceptions for provisions related to selling a practice or reasonable non-solicitation terms that comply with existing rules. This directly affects community services providers in South Dakota, ensuring they can maintain client relationships post-employment without undue contractual barriers.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 82: prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor.

This bill makes it illegal to intentionally claim a pet as a service animal in public places to gain access or privileges, such as entering businesses or venues. It specifically defines "service animal" as a dog trained for disability-related tasks (excluding emotional support or comfort), per federal guidelines. Violating this law is a Class 2 misdemeanor, directly affecting individuals who falsely represent pets and businesses that may be misled by such claims. The law aims to protect genuine service animal users and prevent misuse of public accommodations.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1219: require the provision of interpreter or translator services for parties to an administrative contested case.

HB 1219 requires South Dakota state agencies to provide free interpreter or translator services for non-English-speaking parties during administrative hearings (like license disputes or benefit appeals). The bill mandates agencies to appoint qualified, impartial interpreters and cover their costs from agency budgets. It also allows winning parties to recover interpreter fees incurred during the hearing. This directly affects individuals or businesses needing language assistance in agency proceedings. The law updates existing rules to ensure all parties can fully participate in administrative cases.

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1143: authorize the possession and self-administration of diabetes medications by a student on school property and at school-related events and activities.

HB 1143 allows students with diabetes to possess and self-administer nasal glucagon (a medication for severe low blood sugar) on school property or at school events. It directly affects students diagnosed with diabetes who require this specific treatment. The bill requires a licensed healthcare provider’s diagnosis, written parent authorization, and a physician’s statement detailing the medication’s purpose, dosage, and administration guidelines to be kept on file at the school. Schools must maintain these documents in the student’s health record or with the school nurse. This change expands existing provisions for asthma and anaphylaxis medications to include nasal glucagon for diabetes management.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1146: adopt the physician assistant licensure compact.

South Dakota would join the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in other participating states to practice in South Dakota without obtaining a separate state license. This directly affects PAs - especially active-duty military personnel and their spouses - who can use their existing license from another participating state to practice in South Dakota. The key mechanism is the "Compact Privilege," which permits PAs to provide medical services where the patient is located, while maintaining patient safety through existing state licensing board oversight. This reduces licensing barriers for PAs and improves access to medical care across state lines.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 87: clarify and establish requirements related to forensic medical examinations.

South Dakota's SB 87 ensures counties cover the full cost of forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault or rape, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for victims. The bill specifies covered costs include physician services, necessary tests (like STD screenings and pregnancy tests), supplies, and medications, with payments capped at Medicaid rates. It allows minors aged 16+ to consent to exams without parental permission and permits exams for protected persons without guardian consent, provided informed consent is obtained. Hospitals and clinics cannot bill victims beyond these Medicaid-based limits, and must notify victims of their no-cost access regardless of cooperation with law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1126: revise a provision related to driving under the influence.

HB 1126 revises South Dakota's penalties for repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. It targets individuals with five or more prior DUI convictions within 15 years (down from 25 years), requiring a mandatory minimum six-year prison sentence for a sixth or subsequent offense, with at least one year on parole. The bill mandates specific monitoring tools like ignition interlocks or alcohol bracelets during supervision and extends driver's license revocation periods, with limited exceptions for employment or medical needs after completing treatment. These changes apply directly to repeat DUI offenders meeting the revised conviction thresholds.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1001: provide for prescribed burning of state-owned land by a person owning adjoining land and to declare an emergency.

HB 1001 allows landowners adjacent to state-owned land along the Missouri River to conduct prescribed burns on that state land under specific conditions. To qualify, landowners must submit a written request detailing the burn location and timing, have fire suppression resources available, conduct burns solely for controlling invasive species or grassland management, and obtain written consent from the state department managing the land. The bill explicitly states that landowners conducting burns assume all liability, while the state remains immune from damages claims. This law directly affects landowners bordering Missouri River state land seeking to manage vegetation through controlled burns. The bill also declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon passage.

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 14: modify provisions related to the practice of pharmacy.

SB 14 amends South Dakota's pharmacy practice laws by updating key definitions in §36-11-2 and §36-11-11. It clarifies terms like "compounding" (now including preparation based on routine prescribing patterns), "dispensing," and "interchangeable biological product" to align with federal standards. These changes directly affect pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy owners by defining their scope of practice and responsibilities more precisely. The bill focuses on administrative clarity rather than creating new requirements or restrictions.

Bill results