South DakotaSouth Dakota law directs public bodies to use sex-based definitions
State and local bodies must use the law’s sex-related definitions across rules, contracts, policies, and other official work.
What it does
The law defines male and female by the reproductive systems that produce eggs or sperm, and man and woman as adult human males and females.
State and local bodies must follow these definitions in their rules, contracts, policies, and other official work.
Argument forUsing the same definitions across state and local rules could make official forms, policies, and other government work more consistent.
Argument againstPeople whose identity differs from these definitions may find that state and local bodies use terms that do not reflect how they describe themselves.
More detail
The law defines male and female by reproductive systems, and man and woman as adult human males and females. The definitions also describe a boy as a minor human male and a girl as a minor human female. “Sex” means an individual's biological sex, either male or female, except in chapters 22-24A and 22-24B.
State and local bodies must follow the listed definitions when carrying out their duties. The definitions apply to state and local rules, contracts, guidance, policies, practices, and statutes. Covered bodies include state agencies and other entities exercising state authority. The terms are boy, father, female, girl, male, man, mother, sex, and woman.
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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 30Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-30 H.J. 579Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-12 H.J. 562To Governor
- Mar 11Signed by the President S.J. 526Passed Senate
- Mar 10Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553Passed House
- Mar 9Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 30, NAYS 4 S.J. 496
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 37Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 25First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 398Minor
- Feb 24House of Representatives Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 57, NAYS 9 H.J. 425
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, Amendment 1184AMajor
- Feb 20Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 29First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 179Introduced
Government & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting