The amendment upgrades the penalty for preventing someone's religious practice from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony, and makes minor grammatical corrections (changing "threats" to "threat" and simplifying the language). This STRENGTHENS the bill by imposing significantly harsher criminal penalties on those who interfere with religious practice.
26.780.9 26.780.10 101st Legislative Session 113 2026 South Dakota Legislature Senate Bill 113 Introduced by: Senator Mehlhaff Underscores indicate new language. Overstrikes indicate deleted language. ENROLLED AN ACT ENTITLED An Act to increase the penalty for preventing practice of religion. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2 Section 1. That § 22-19B-4 be AMENDED: 3 22-19B-4. Any person who, by threats threat or violence, intentionally prevents 4 another person from performing any lawful act enjoined upon or recommended by the 5 religion which such the other person professes, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor Class 6 6 felony. 7 26.780.10 2 113 SB113 ENROLLED An Act to increase the penalty for preventing practice of religion. I certify that the attached Act originated in the: Senate as Bill No. 113 Secretary of the Senate President of the Senate Attest: Secretary of the Senate Speaker of the House Attest: Chief Clerk of the House Senate Bill No. 113 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______ Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________, 2026 at ____________M. By for the Governor The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________, A.D., 2026 Governor STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________, 2026 at _________ o'clock __M. Secretary of State By Asst. Secretary of State