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require the Unified Judicial System to assemble a task force to address the provision of legal services to indigent parties within the South Dakota court system and to declare an emergency.

# HB 1064 Summary South Dakota's court system must create a task force to study and improve how poor people get legal help in state courts. The bill declares this an emergency matter, giving it priority attention.

provide for appropriate civil commitment of certain persons.

This bill changes the rules for committing people with developmental disabilities to state care when they've been accused of violent crimes. Previously, the county review board had to prove the person posed an immediate danger; now, if a violent crime charge was dismissed in court, the board can order commitment if it finds the person actually committed the crime, has difficulty controlling their behavior, and is likely to commit another violent crime in the future. The bill also allows law enforcement to physically take someone into custody if they refuse to comply with a commitment order.

exempt municipalities in certain counties from requirements related to municipal campgrounds.

SB 157 exempts cities in certain counties from state requirements to operate municipal campgrounds. This gives those municipalities more flexibility by removing a mandate that previously required them to maintain campground facilities.

make an appropriation to rehabilitate the rail line from the city of Milbank to the city of Sisseton and to declare an emergency.

SB16 appropriates state funding to rehabilitate the railroad line connecting Milbank and Sisseton in South Dakota. The bill also declares this rail project an emergency, which allows the funds to be spent immediately rather than following the normal budget process.

clarify good cause for the purpose of continuing an involuntary commitment hearing.

This bill clarifies the rights that must be explained to someone taken into involuntary psychiatric custody, making it clearer that they have immediate rights to contact someone, get a lawyer, be examined by a mental health professional, and have a hearing within five to seven days. The bill also ensures they are informed that they may be responsible for costs related to their treatment, legal representation, and court proceedings. The changes primarily reword existing notification requirements to make them more straightforward for people to understand.

clarify emergency commitments of severely mentally ill persons by appropriate regional facilities.

Regional mental health facilities can now place a person on an emergency 24-hour hold if a mental health professional determines the person is severely mentally ill and poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill clarifies that these facilities must notify the county board and file for formal commitment within 24 hours, or the person must be released. This gives regional facilities the same emergency holding authority that the state's main Human Services Center already has.

honoring the 2021-2022 Outstanding School Administrators of South Dakota: Dr. Steve Willard, Belle Fourche School Superintendent; Julie Marshall, Timber Lake Middle School Principal; Trista Olney, Douglas School Business Official; Chantal Ligtenberg, Meade Elementary School Principal; Collin Knudson, Tea Secondary School Principal; Brad Hartzler, Harrisburg Assistant High School Principal; Dr. Michelle Vande Weerd, Brookings Curriculum Leader; and Marie Ivers, Milbank Director of Special Education.

This bill honors eight school administrators from across South Dakota who were recognized as outstanding in their roles during the 2021-2022 school year. The bill does not change any state law—it is a ceremonial resolution that formally recognizes these educators' contributions to their schools and districts.

incentivize a paid family leave incentive program, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.

SB 154 creates a paid family leave incentive program in South Dakota and provides state funding to support it. The bill amends existing law to establish rules for how employers or the state can offer paid leave benefits to workers taking time off for family reasons. The bill also declares this an emergency measure, allowing it to take effect immediately once signed into law.

revise provisions related to the discharge of a defendant restored to competency.

When a defendant is found mentally competent to stand trial after treatment, the facility director must file a certificate with the court and discharge the defendant, who then becomes subject to outpatient supervision laws. The court must hold a hearing to confirm the competency finding, and if confirmed by a preponderance of the evidence, must immediately discharge the defendant from the facility and set a trial date. This bill clarifies the discharge process and ensures defendants have a court hearing to verify restored competency before trial proceeds.

amend provisions addressing guardianships and conservatorships.

HB 1240 strengthens protections for people facing guardianship or conservatorship by requiring detailed medical documentation when someone contests the petition—specifically, a psychiatrist's report that diagnoses their mental illness, assesses danger to self or others, discusses treatment options, and explains why they need custodial care. The bill also clarifies that courts must honor a person's choice of guardian or conservator if that person has the capacity to make a preference and the nominee is qualified and acting in their best interest.

revise provisions related to emergency and involuntary commitment for alcohol and drug abuse.

SB 67 expands the list of organizations that can accredit alcohol and drug treatment facilities in South Dakota to include the Indian Health Service's quality assurance reviews and the Council on Accreditation, in addition to existing accreditors like The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. This change allows more types of facilities—particularly those serving tribal communities—to meet state standards for emergency and involuntary commitment programs related to substance abuse treatment.

establish a parole hearing requirement for certain inmates.

Inmates convicted of four or more prior felonies who are then convicted of certain drug offenses must now receive a parole hearing at their initial parole eligibility date, where the parole board decides whether to release them based on factors like rehabilitation progress and employment prospects. Inmates who aren't released at that initial hearing are entitled to another parole hearing at least every two years going forward. This creates a new requirement that these repeat offenders get a hearing opportunity they may not have had before.