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prohibit a school board from denying an application for open enrollment from certain students with autism.

School districts can no longer reject open enrollment applications from students with autism based on their disability status. The bill ensures that students with autism have the same access to enroll in different school districts as other students, removing a barrier that previously allowed schools to deny them enrollment.

provide for child safety accounts for students subject to certain safety incidents.

This bill creates "child safety accounts" that allow parents to request funding from their school district if a safety incident at school cannot be resolved to their satisfaction. When a parent requests an account, the school board must deposit an amount equal to the average yearly per-pupil cost of South Dakota schools (prorated if the incident occurs mid-year), plus additional funding if the student has an IEP or 504 plan. The school district must then notify the state Department of Education about any accounts created.

provide for the creation and funding of Oceti Sakowin community-based schools.

South Dakota creates a new type of charter school called "Oceti Sakowin charter schools" that teach Native American history and culture using the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings and Standards. These schools can be approved by either the state Department of Education or a local school district, and applicants must submit detailed plans covering the school's mission, structure, finances, and how they'll measure success. This establishes the legal framework for establishing and funding these community-based schools focused on Native American education.

provide for kindergarten enrollment options.

This bill changes kindergarten enrollment rules by allowing children who turn five between September and December 31st to enroll if they pass approved developmental and readiness screening tests showing they have superior academic abilities and are socially and emotionally ready. It also allows children who move to South Dakota from out of state or to a different district within the state to continue their kindergarten enrollment without interruption. Previously, the law only allowed children who turned five by September 1st to enroll in kindergarten.