SB 58 strengthens South Dakota's human trafficking laws by expanding the definition of "coercion" to include threats and patterns of behavior designed to frighten victims into compliance, and by making it illegal to knowingly obstruct or interfere with human trafficking enforcement efforts. The bill also clarifies that human trafficking of minors doesn't require proof of force, fraud, or coercion—any recruitment or transportation of someone under 18 for commercial sex acts or forced labor constitutes trafficking. Additionally, the law now penalizes people who financially benefit from human trafficking ventures, even if they don't directly participate in the trafficking itself.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 529
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 478
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 488
Signed by the President S.J. 455
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 70, NAYS 0. H.J. 451
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0.
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 239
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 35, NAYS 0. S.J. 210
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0.
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 11
Judiciary
Prime sponsor · Sen
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass