SB81 clarifies South Dakota's law against harassing service animals by defining "service animal" more precisely—limiting it to dogs trained to perform specific tasks related to a person's disability, while explicitly excluding emotional support animals and dogs whose only function is deterring crime. The bill also increases the penalty for interfering with a service animal from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 2 misdemeanor. These changes tighten the legal definition while slightly reducing the severity of the offense.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 488
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 455
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 493
Signed by the President S.J. 434
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0. H.J. 457
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 29
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0. H.J. 29
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
House of Representatives Referred to House Judiciary H.J. 194
First Reading House H.J. 182
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 131
Judiciary Certified uncontested, placed on consent S.J. 7
Judiciary Do Pass Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0. S.J. 7
Judiciary Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 34
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass
Do Pass
Judiciary — Do Pass