SB 179 allows judges to send juveniles convicted of certain weapons offenses to South Dakota's adult prison system (Department of Corrections) instead of limiting them to juvenile facilities or community-based programs. Previously, judges had to choose from less restrictive options like probation, community service, or juvenile detention when sentencing young people found delinquent. This change gives courts the option to impose adult incarceration for serious weapons violations committed by minors.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment clarified and reorganized the criteria for committing juveniles to the Department of Corrections by removing the word "only" before "commit" and restructuring the conditional language to explicitly list weapons offenses (§ 22-14-5, 22-14-7, 22-14-20, 23-7-44, or subdivision 22-30A-17(2)) as a standalone category alongside other serious offenses. This change **strengthens** the bill's original purpose by making weapons offenses an explicit, enumerated basis for adult corrections commitment rather than requiring their inclusion under transfer-eligible offenses.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 548
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 520
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
Signed by the President S.J. 505
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 42, NAYS 25. H.J. 529
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 3.
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 356
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 28, NAYS 6. S.J. 279
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 4, NAYS 2. S.J. 23
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 140
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Cosponsors
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass