Changes to Existing Law

The administrator of a public school shall display the motto of this state, as established in S.D. Const., Art. XXI, § 1, in a prominent location in each classroom in the school. The display of the state motto may take the form of a mounted plaque, student artwork, or any other form deemed appropriate by the administrator, provided that the text of the motto is easily readable and the motto is at least twelve inches wide by eight inches high.

For any lawsuit brought or any complaint filed against a school district, an employee of a school district, the board of a school district, or a member thereof, as a result of a school district displaying the national motto of the United States in accordance with § 13-24-23 or the motto of this state in accordance with section 1 of this Act, the attorney general shall must provide legal representation, at no cost to the school district, employee, school board, or member of the school board. In addition to the expenses of representation, the state shall assume financial responsibility for any other expenses related expense to the lawsuit or complaint incurred by the school district, an employee, the board, or member thereof, including any award for monetary damages, attorney's fees, and costs for which the school district, an employee, the board, or a member thereof, would be otherwise responsible. 21