South Dakota courts will now require defendants convicted of domestic abuse crimes to complete counseling that covers specific topics—power and control, accountability, emotional regulation, and correcting thinking errors—rather than generic "family violence" counseling. The law allows individual counseling to satisfy this requirement and lets courts recommend group counseling when available. This change ensures domestic abuse defendants receive more targeted, structured counseling focused on the root causes of abusive behavior.
Signed by the Governor H.J. 688
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 626
Signed by the President S.J. 479
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 589
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 439
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0.
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 294
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 4. H.J. 346
House of Representatives Motion to amend H.J. 346
House of Representatives Deferred to another day H.J. 323
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 1. H.J. 1
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 155
Michael Diedrich
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Rebecca Reimer
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Cosponsors
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass