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Establish education savings accounts.

South Dakota would create a new "education savings account" program allowing parents of eligible students (K-12, not enrolled full-time in public school districts) to use state funds at private schools, microschools, virtual education providers, or alternative instruction programs instead of traditional public schools. The bill defines who qualifies (state residents ages 5-18 who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents) and what types of educational providers can receive these funds.

Modify the tuition benefit for dependents and spouses of disabled and deceased veterans.

HB1198 expands South Dakota's tuition waiver program for dependents and spouses of disabled and deceased veterans by clarifying eligibility requirements and extending benefits to spouses of disabled veterans (not just deceased veterans). The bill allows qualifying dependents aged 15-24 and spouses to attend any state Board of Regents or technical education institution tuition-free for up to four consecutive academic years, as long as the veteran parent or spouse served at least one year and was a South Dakota resident before enlisting.

Update a reference to the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of higher education savings plans.

South Dakota's law governing higher education savings plans references the federal tax code to define contributions and other key terms, and this bill updates that reference to use the current version of the Internal Revenue Code. The change ensures the state's education savings plan rules stay aligned with current federal tax law requirements. This is a technical update with no substantive changes to how the savings plans operate.

Supporting the establishment of a standardized system to recognize and award academic credit or certification for military service.

SCR 603 is a resolution expressing support for creating a standardized system that allows military veterans to receive academic credit or college certification based on their military training and service. The resolution notes that military training often meets or exceeds civilian college standards and points to existing federal programs (like the Department of Defense's Voluntary Education Partnership) that already help veterans translate their military experience into recognized credentials. This resolution does not change state law itself, but instead urges the state to support efforts to recognize military training as equivalent to civilian education and training requirements.

Prohibit the Board of Regents and institutions under its control from requiring students to reside in on-campus housing or purchase meal plans.

South Dakota's public universities can no longer require students to live in on-campus housing or buy meal plans after their first year of attendance. Currently, the Board of Regents and its institutions can mandate these requirements for all students; this bill limits that power to first-year students only. This change allows upperclassmen more freedom to choose where they live and how they eat while attending a state university.

Direct the Department of Social Services to amend administrative rules allowing graduate students to be eligible for child care assistance.

Graduate students will now be eligible for child care assistance in South Dakota, with the Department of Social Services required to update its rules by September 30, 2025 to reflect this change. The new rules will allow graduate students pursuing degrees beyond a bachelor's degree to meet eligibility requirements by attending just 6 semester credit hours per month instead of the 12 hours required for undergraduate students. This makes it easier for graduate students juggling their studies with work to qualify for state-funded child care help.

Permit a school district to implement a new or revised section 504 plan, individualized family service plan, or individualized education program for a student who is the child of an active-duty member of the United States armed forces.

School districts must implement a new or revised special education or disability services plan within 30 days when a student whose parent is being militarily transferred to South Dakota enrolls, unless the school district staff agree to continue the student's existing plan from their previous school. This applies to students who have a Section 504 plan, individualized education program (IEP), or individualized family service plan. The bill requires the military family to provide the current plan to the school district before enrollment.