South Dakota now makes it a Class 6 felony for prison employees and other detention facility staff to engage in any sexual contact or sexual penetration with prisoners under their authority. This law closes a gap in state criminal law by specifically prohibiting such conduct, which exploits the power imbalance between guards and detained individuals.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 542
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 462
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 589
Signed by the President S.J. 445
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 69, NAYS 0. H.J. 507
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 1
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0. H.J. 1
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
House of Representatives Referred to House Judiciary H.J. 467
First Reading House H.J. 430
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 307
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0.
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 115
David Wheeler
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Taylor Rehfeldt
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Cosponsors
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass