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revise the incentive program for juvenile diversion opportunities.

South Dakota is revising its program that gives counties money to encourage them to use juvenile diversion (keeping young offenders out of the court system) instead of prosecution. The bill changes the payment structure so counties receive $750 per child who successfully completes a diversion program, and it requires counties to submit detailed annual reports on how many youth they refer to diversion and whether those youth complete the programs.

permit a child adjudicated delinquent for theft of a firearm to be committed to the Department of Corrections.

This bill changes what sentences a judge can impose on children found delinquent for stealing a firearm. Currently, judges must use the "least restrictive alternative" available, but this bill allows judges to commit children convicted of firearm theft directly to the Department of Corrections instead of limiting sentences to probation, fines, restitution, or community service.

provide a landowner-on-own-land license for antlerless elk.

SB173 creates a new hunting license that allows landowners to hunt antlerless elk on their own property without needing a separate permit from the state. This change amends South Dakota's existing elk hunting regulations to give property owners more direct access to managing elk on their land.

modify brand registration and use laws.

HB1145 increases the penalty for illegally moving livestock across South Dakota's ownership inspection area from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 2 misdemeanor (a less severe charge). The bill also makes minor clarifications to existing livestock inspection requirements, such as changing "shippers permit" to "shipper's permit" and "shall" to "must," but does not change the core inspection rules themselves.

establish reentry initiatives and programs in the Department of Corrections.

South Dakota's Department of Corrections must now provide inmates with evidence-based programs in health, education, job training, and life skills starting as soon as their parole date and release plan are set, and must keep records of their educational progress and certifications. The department can use volunteers and faith-based organizations to help run these programs, and inmates who complete programs can earn incentives like extra phone calls, visitation time, computer access, and commissary privileges. This creates a new requirement for reentry support that applies to all inmates regardless of their security classification.

improve public safety in South Dakota.