HB 1161 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

amend provisions related to changing rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms.

HB 1161 defines "female" and "male" based on biological reproductive systems and requires state-owned or leased facilities (like schools, government buildings, and public spaces) to designate multi-occupancy changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters for exclusive use by males or females. The bill specifies that exceptions apply for children under 10 with parents, individuals assisting those with disabilities, emergency personnel, and certain maintenance staff. It also clarifies that gender-specific designations do not apply to rooms used by firefighters, law enforcement, or performers in their professional capacity. The law directly affects public facilities operated by the state or its subdivisions.

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 28, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House State Affairs Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 9, 2026

MODERATE

This bill enrolls House Bill 1161, which amends South Dakota laws regarding gender-designated changing rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms. The changes clarify exemptions for parents with young children, individuals assisting those with disabilities, and emergency personnel. The enrolled version adds standard legislative certification and signing formalities required for final passage.

Scope change

The bill's substantive scope remains focused on gender-designated facilities, but the enrolled version adds formal certification of passage by the House, Senate, and Governor.

TECHNICAL

Added standard enrolled bill certification language including signatures from the Chief Clerk of the House, Speaker of the House, Governor, and Secretary of State.

Added legislative session information (101st Session, 2026) and bill tracking numbers (26.733.19, 1161).

Removed browser compatibility warnings and technical notices from the original webpage version.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 2 exemptions allowing individuals to enter gender-designated facilities when accompanying children under 10, assisting those with disabilities, or during emergencies.

Floor votes · House Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

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

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. 579

executive

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 512

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 542

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 481

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed,

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Local Government Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced

First read in Senate and referred to Senate Local Government S.J. 398

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 62, NAYS 4 H.J. 425

lower

Feb 24, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (62-4-4)

house

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1161C

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Recalled , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 4

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5 H.J. 13

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, H.J. 13 Amendment 1161A

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 165

lower

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors