When inmates are released from South Dakota correctional facilities, the state must now provide transportation to one of three specific locations: the county where they lived when the crime occurred, the county where they were sentenced, or a location of equivalent distance—whichever involves the shortest mileage. This revises the previous rule by limiting transportation options and establishing a clear distance-based standard to determine which location the state will pay to transport the inmate to.
The amendment clarifies that correctional facilities must provide discharged inmates with three specific things—clothing, money, and transportation—rather than leaving the requirements vague, and it removes language allowing inmates to choose their destination, instead allowing facilities to choose among three predetermined county options based on distance. This STRENGTHENS the bill by making the obligations more concrete and explicit while NARROWING inmate choice in favor of facility discretion.
The amendment changed the bill from its engrossed (committee) form to its enrolled (final passed) form by clarifying that correctional facilities must provide transportation to discharged inmates to one of three specified locations (the county of residence, sentencing county, or an equivalent distance location), rather than leaving the destination discretionary. This STRENGTHENS the bill's original purpose by making the transportation requirement more specific and enforceable.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 548
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 520
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
Signed by the President S.J. 505
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 2. H.J. 523
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. 279
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 221
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent S.J. 17
Judiciary Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0. S.J. 17
Judiciary Motion to amend S.J. 17
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
Senate Referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 130
First Reading Senate S.J. 121
Prime sponsor · Sen.
D
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Judiciary — Do Pass Amended