Criminal Justice

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 113: increase the penalty for preventing practice of religion.

This bill amends South Dakota law (§ 22-19B-4) to upgrade penalties for preventing someone from practicing their religion through threats or violence. Currently a Class 1 misdemeanor, the offense would become a Class 6 felony under this bill. It directly affects individuals who use intimidation or force to stop others from engaging in legally protected religious activities. The key change is reclassifying the penalty level in the statute, increasing the legal consequences for such conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties from misdemeanor to felony for religious obstruction, expanding criminalization and raising sentencing severity per criminal justice indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 1162: add certain substances to Schedule I of the controlled substances schedule.

HB 1162 adds 59 specific substances - including synthetic opioids like "W-18" and "butonitazene," as well as compounds such as "methiopropamine" - to South Dakota's Schedule I controlled substances list. This means these substances are now classified as having no medical use and a high potential for abuse under state law. The bill directly affects anyone in South Dakota who possesses, distributes, or uses these listed substances, making such actions illegal without specific exemptions. The key mechanism is the explicit inclusion of these chemical compounds (including isomers and salts) into Schedule I, closing potential legal gaps for enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds substances to Schedule I, criminalizing possession/distribution without medical use, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 220: authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

SB 220 directs South Dakota's Department of Corrections to conduct a study evaluating juvenile correctional and residential facilities. The study must examine best practices, therapeutic housing models, vocational training combined with mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios, including inspections at three facilities outside South Dakota. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover study costs and requires a written report to the Legislative Research Council by September 1, 2026. This is a procedural study bill with no direct policy changes or new requirements for facilities, solely aimed at gathering information for future decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 from general fund for juvenile facility study, directly funding a state budget item per its 'Appropriation' subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds study to evaluate juvenile facilities, therapeutic models, and mental health services - directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform in juvenile system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study of mental health services integration in juvenile facilities, directly aligning with healthcare support indicators for mental health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · South Dakota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 156: modify the crime of cruelty to an animal and increase the penalty therefor.

SB 156 modifies South Dakota's animal cruelty law by adding a new classification for the most severe cases. It makes it a Class 4 felony to commit cruelty "in an especially depraved, heinous, sadistic, or wicked manner," elevating penalties for extreme acts. This directly affects individuals convicted of particularly brutal animal cruelty, moving such cases from lower-level offenses to felony charges. The bill specifically amends Section 40-1-2.4 of South Dakota law to establish this higher penalty tier.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates animal cruelty to Class 4 felony, increasing sentencing severity. This directly aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increasing mandatory sentences for specific offenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · South Dakota · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1151: ban kratom and kratom products and to provide a penalty therefor.

HB 1151 bans kratom and kratom products in South Dakota, making it a Class 2 misdemeanor to sell, distribute, purchase, consume, or possess them. It specifically prohibits sales or use by anyone under 21 (except by parents/guardians), and requires strict labeling for products that remain legal, including serving sizes, alkaloid content, and health warnings. The bill also prohibits products containing over 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, synthetic compounds, or harmful additives. This directly affects consumers, businesses selling kratom, and retailers who must comply with new labeling rules.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans kratom with misdemeanor penalties, expanding criminalization of substance use without reform elements95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · South Dakota · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1124: establish the crime of trespass upon a place of worship, provide a penalty therefor, and declare an emergency.

HB 1124 makes it a felony to enter or remain within 1,000 feet of a place of worship with intent to disrupt services, harass attendees, or intimidate through political means. Violators face a Class 5 felony charge. The bill defines "place of worship" as any building regularly used for religious activities, identifiable by design, signs, or features. This law directly affects individuals who intentionally trespass near religious sites with the prohibited intentions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for trespassing near places of worship, expanding criminalization without reform elements or defendant protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · South Dakota · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 1015: create a pilot program in the Unified Judicial System to develop a pretrial release program.

HB 1015 creates a two-year pilot program (ending December 31, 2027) in South Dakota's Unified Judicial System allowing judges to supervise defendants charged with misdemeanors or felonies instead of requiring jail time before trial. Judges may impose release conditions through presentence court services officers, following existing legal standards. The program requires the judicial system to report detailed results by December 2027, including defendant appearance rates, new charges, missed court dates, and program costs. This directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor or felony charges who qualify for supervised pretrial release under the pilot.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates pretrial release alternative to jail for misdemeanors/felony defendants, reducing unnecessary detention - core criminal justice reform principle.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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