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allow for a good cause exception to the time for an involuntary commitment hearing.

South Dakota law currently requires an involuntary commitment hearing to happen within five to seven days after someone is taken into custody, but this bill allows courts to delay that hearing for "good cause" before the deadline expires. The change gives judges flexibility to postpone hearings when circumstances warrant it, rather than being strictly bound by the time limits.

revise and clarify certain processes for emergency detainment related to drug and alcohol abuse.

SB 136 updates South Dakota's rules for emergency detainment of people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse by clarifying what counts as an accredited treatment facility and refining the definitions used in the detainment process. The bill expands the types of organizations that can be recognized as qualified treatment facilities, including those accredited by various national organizations and Indian Health Service standards. These changes streamline how the state identifies appropriate facilities where people can be detained and treated for substance abuse issues.

allow inpatient psychiatric facility placement alternatives for certain patients.

This bill creates a new exception allowing patients aged 18-19 who are still in high school (or working on their GED) to be placed in psychiatric facilities' minors' units if they consent, rather than being automatically placed with adult patients. The bill also requires the Department of Health to approve specific guidelines for evaluation programs at these facilities. These changes give psychiatric facilities more flexibility in housing certain young patients while keeping them separated from adults.

establish a parole hearing requirement for certain inmates.

Inmates convicted of four or more felonies must now have a parole hearing before they can be released, where the parole board will decide if they've been rehabilitated, are not dangerous, have employment lined up, and have followed prison programs. If an inmate is denied parole at their initial hearing, they get another chance to be considered at least every two years after that. Inmates can choose to skip the hearing if they want.