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prohibit certain gender dysphoria instruction in public schools.

# HB1108 Summary This bill prohibits public school teachers from instructing students in kindergarten through sixth grade about gender dysphoria or related gender identity concepts. The law effectively bans curriculum materials and classroom instruction on these topics for younger elementary students, though it doesn't restrict what older students may learn or prevent discussions that arise naturally in response to student questions.

protect the teaching of certain scientific information.

# HB1270 Summary This bill protects teachers from discipline or termination for teaching scientific information about biological sex, including that sex is determined by biology and reproductive capacity. The law prevents school districts from punishing educators who present mainstream scientific perspectives on sex-based biology in their classroom instruction.

establish requirements regarding parental consent for the collection of certain information by schools.

# HB1235 Summary This bill requires South Dakota schools to obtain written parental consent before collecting certain personal information from students, such as data about their beliefs, family income, or mental health status. Schools must inform parents about what information they're gathering and allow parents to opt their children out of such data collection without penalty to the student.

require the national motto of the United States to be displayed in public schools.

SB55 requires South Dakota public schools to display the national motto "In God We Trust" in a prominent location in each school building. This is a new requirement that doesn't currently exist in state law, so schools will need to add these displays to comply with the law.

establish minimum requirements for high school graduation.

This bill establishes specific minimum course requirements that all South Dakota high school students must complete to earn a diploma, including four units of English, three units of math and science each, three units of social studies, and one unit of either career training, a world language, or a capstone project. Schools must ensure students take these core courses plus electives to reach a total of at least 13.5 units before graduation. The diploma itself will note that the student has met all these new state requirements.

establish a determinant in identifying a student's sexual identity for the purpose of participation in high school athletics.

# HB1225 Summary HB1225 establishes that a student's sex for purposes of high school athletics participation is determined by their sex at birth as listed on their birth certificate, rather than by their gender identity. This change affects transgender students who wish to participate in school sports, requiring them to compete on teams matching their biological sex at birth instead of their identified gender.

require students to take a civics test before graduating from high school.

HB1066 requires all South Dakota high school students to pass a civics test before they can graduate. The test will assess students' knowledge of government, history, and civic principles. This is a new requirement that didn't exist before in state graduation standards.

promote free speech and intellectual diversity at certain institutions of higher education.

# HB1087 Summary This bill requires South Dakota's public universities and the state university system to adopt policies protecting free speech and intellectual diversity on campus, including limiting "cancel culture" practices against students and faculty. The institutions must establish procedures for handling complaints about free speech violations and ensure that ideological viewpoint diversity is considered in hiring and curriculum decisions. These new requirements aim to prevent universities from suppressing unpopular opinions while maintaining academic standards.

permit certain acts at a school honoring or graduation ceremony.

# HB1151 Summary This bill allows students to wear religious head coverings, cultural clothing, and other religious or cultural attire during school honoring or graduation ceremonies, even if those items differ from the standard graduation dress code. The change protects students' freedom to express their religious or cultural identity during these important school events.

improve civics education in South Dakota public schools.

# SB 152: Civics Education Requirements This bill strengthens civics education in South Dakota public schools by requiring students to learn about government structures, the Constitution, and civic participation. The law increases instructional time and ensures schools teach students how to engage as informed citizens in their communities and democracy.

establish the South Dakota state seal of civics literacy program.

# HB1051 Summary This bill creates a new "South Dakota State Seal of Civics Literacy" program that recognizes high school students who demonstrate proficiency in civics knowledge and skills. Students who earn the seal will have it noted on their high school diploma and transcript, providing official recognition of their civics education achievement.