SB 159 would prohibit South Dakota from executing anyone diagnosed with a severe mental illness, even if they have been convicted of a capital crime. This change would align South Dakota law with a principle already recognized in federal constitutional law that executing people with severe mental illness violates standards of human decency. The bill essentially creates a new exemption to capital punishment based on mental health status.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Failed, YEAS 25, NAYS 43. H.J. 602
Judiciary Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 3. H.J. 1
Judiciary Motion to amend H.J. 1
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
House of Representatives Referred to House Judiciary H.J. 467
First Reading House H.J. 430
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 21, NAYS 14. S.J. 310
Senate Motion to amend S.J. 310
Senate Deferred to another day S.J. 293
Judiciary Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 1.
Judiciary Motion to amend
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 129
Timothy Johns
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Cosponsors
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass Amended
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass Amended