South Dakota's Department of Corrections will study juvenile correctional and residential facilities in other states to identify best practices in areas like rehabilitation programs, mental health services, and staff-to-youth ratios. The state is appropriating $50,000 for the study, which must include on-site visits to at least three out-of-state facilities and a report back to lawmakers by September 1, 2026.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment narrowed the study's scope to focus exclusively on juvenile correctional and residential facilities outside of South Dakota, and refined the evaluation criteria to emphasize correctional practices, therapeutic housing models, and vocational-mental health integration rather than general detention and treatment practices. This redirects the bill from a broad internal study toward examining out-of-state facilities as potential models for South Dakota to consider.
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 30, NAYS 37. H.J. 512
First read in House and referral to committee waived pursuant to JR 6D-1 H.J. 485
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 24, NAYS 9. S.J. 424
Senate Reconsidered Passed, YEAS 25, NAYS 8. S.J. 423
Senate Intent to reconsider S.J. 414
Senate Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 23, NAYS 9. S.J. 413
Committee on Appropriations Do Pass Passed, YEAS 16, NAYS 1.
Committee on Appropriations Scheduled for hearing
Judiciary Referred as Amended to Joint Committee on Appropriations Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0. S.J. 23
Judiciary Motion to amend S.J. 23
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 179
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Do Pass Amended
Reconsidered
Do Pass Amended
Do Pass Amended
Committee on Appropriations — Do Pass
Judiciary — Referred as Amended to