South DakotaAdoption petitions may be filed in three South Dakota counties
People seeking to adopt could file in the county where the adopting parent, authorized agency, or child has a listed connection.
What it does
An adoption petition may be filed in the county where the adopting parent lives, the authorized agency caring for the child is located, or the child was born or lives.
Argument forAllowing several filing locations may reduce travel for adopting parents, children, and agencies involved in the case.
Argument againstHaving several possible courts may require families and agencies to compare locations and court procedures before filing.
More detail
A person seeking to adopt may file an adoption petition in a circuit court in any listed county. The options cover the county where the adopting parent lives, where the authorized agency caring for the child is located, or where the child was born or lives. The agency option applies when an authorized agency has legal or physical care, custody, or control of the child. The supplied text does not state when this provision takes effect.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-04 H.J. 496Became Law
- Mar 3Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-03 H.J. 480To Governor
- Mar 2Signed by the President S.J. 434Major
- Feb 26Signed by the Speaker H.J. 462Major
- Feb 25Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0 S.J. 399Passed Senate
- Feb 24Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 29
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 29Minor
- Feb 24Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 10First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 232Minor
- Feb 9House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 0 H.J. 267Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 6Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 1 H.J. 14Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 6Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 29First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 178Introduced
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