HB 1298 prohibits publishing a judicial or law enforcement officer's home address, date of birth, or social security number online without their consent if done with the intent to cause fear for the officer's safety or their immediate family's safety. The law applies only to electronic publications and targets individuals who share such sensitive personal information under these specific conditions. Violating this prohibition is classified as a Class 6 felony. The bill directly protects officers by restricting the online dissemination of their personal details that could enable threats or harassment.
HB 1296 requires courts to mandate GPS monitoring for defendants charged with domestic abuse offenses (as defined under South Dakota law) as a condition of release. The bill specifies that defendants must wear a 24/7 GPS device that tracks location in real-time and alerts law enforcement if they enter restricted zones, with defendants covering all device costs. Victims of domestic abuse can choose to receive free notification tools (via app or device) that alert them if the defendant approaches restricted areas or their location, but only after consenting and receiving clear information about the system. The law also mandates courts to consult victims about restricted zones and provide detailed explanations of the monitoring process, including risks, victim support services, and emergency contacts.
HCR 6001 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a tribal law enforcement training academy in South Dakota. It directly addresses DHS and aims to benefit law enforcement personnel serving South Dakota’s nine federally recognized tribal nations, including those working in culturally specific contexts. The resolution requests DHS collaborate with tribal leaders and state agencies to design training programs tailored to tribal communities’ unique needs. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally asks DHS to consider South Dakota as a location for such an academy. The resolution emphasizes South Dakota’s existing partnerships with tribal nations and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in law enforcement training.
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.
South Dakota's HB 1083 creates a new felony charge for stalking public officials, separate from general stalking offenses. It defines "public official" to include elected state/federal leaders, legislators, judges, and law enforcement officers. The bill specifies that intentionally stalking these officials with the intent to cause fear of death or serious harm constitutes a Class 6 felony, carrying the same penalty as existing felony stalking of children. This amendment modifies existing stalking laws (§ 22-19A-1) by adding a specific provision for public officials, without changing penalties for general stalking or stalking children. The law directly affects public officials and those who target them through repeated following, threats, or harassment.
This bill updates South Dakota's search and seizure laws to explicitly include digital currency as "property" covered by existing warrant procedures. It defines digital currency as value recorded on blockchain or similar distributed ledger technology (e.g., Bitcoin). The change ensures law enforcement must follow standard warrant processes when seeking digital currency, aligning it with how physical property is treated under current law. This directly affects law enforcement investigations involving digital assets and individuals holding such currency.
SB 44 allows South Dakota's Attorney General to obtain business records from internet and telecom providers during criminal investigations of internet crimes against children or human trafficking. It requires judicial approval based on "reasonable cause" before issuing subpoenas for specific records like IP addresses, account details, and device information. Hughes County judges have statewide authority to approve these subpoenas, which cannot notify account holders, and obtained records must be used solely for law enforcement with privacy safeguards. The bill directly affects providers (including internet and telecom companies) by mandating compliance with court-ordered requests for targeted data.
HB 1097 appropriates $2 million from South Dakota's general fund to the Department of Corrections for a grant to a nonprofit delivering juvenile diversion programming in Sioux Falls. The nonprofit must provide an annual week-long summer camp for sixth graders identified by school resource officers (starting in 2026 for 10 years), along with three follow-up events per year involving participants, families, and law enforcement. The grant requires the nonprofit to report annual outcome measures to a special committee and includes a requirement for police and sheriff's office participation in all program activities. The funds are disbursed yearly starting in 2026, with unspent amounts reverting by June 2036.
