South Dakota now requires anyone requesting a certified copy of a veteran's discharge papers from a county register to fill out a form from the Department of Veterans Affairs that proves they're eligible to get it. The law specifies who can request these copies—including the veteran themselves, their family members, veterans service officers, and accredited veterans organizations—but adds a new verification step to ensure only authorized people access these documents.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment completely rewrote the veteran discharge certificate access rules, shifting from a broad eligibility framework with compensation/pension claim exceptions to a narrower list of seven specific authorized requesters (veteran, VA representative, designee, legal representative, specific types of service officers, accredited veterans organizations, and deceased veteran's next of kin) while removing the special provision for free certified copies related to compensation or pension claims. This NARROWS access to veteran discharge certificates by replacing a more permissive standard with a strictly enumerated list of who may request copies.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 529
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 477
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 516
Signed by the President S.J. 448
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0. H.J. 470
Military and Veterans Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0. H.J. 3
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing H.J. 1
First read in House and referred to House Military and Veterans Affairs H.J. 261
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 213
Military and Veterans Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Military and Veterans Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 0.
Military and Veterans Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Military and Veterans Affairs S.J. 14
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass
Do Pass
Military and Veterans Affairs — Do Pass