South DakotaSouth Dakota law makes false service animal claims a misdemeanor
South Dakota law makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly and intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal to get rights a person is not entitled to.
What it does
In a place serving the public, a person may not knowingly and intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal to get rights they know they are not entitled to. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Argument forThe misdemeanor penalty could discourage people from falsely claiming pets are service animals to get rights meant for people with disabilities.
Argument againstA person convicted of knowingly misrepresenting an animal to get service-animal rights could face a misdemeanor penalty, with lasting effects on their record.
More detail
A person may not intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal to get rights or privileges they know they are not entitled to. This applies in a place that serves the public when someone seeks rights or privileges available to a person who qualifies for a service animal under state or federal law. A person may misrepresent an animal through words or actions, directly or indirectly. A service animal is a dog trained to do work or tasks directly related to a person's disability. Deterring crime, emotional support, comfort, or companionship alone does not count. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 9Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-09 S.J. 488Became Law
- Mar 4Delivered to the Governor on 2026-03-04 S.J. 455To Governor
- Mar 3Signed by the Speaker H.J. 493Major
- Mar 2Signed by the President S.J. 434Major
- Feb 26House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0 H.J. 457Passed House
- Feb 25Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, H.J. 29
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 12, NAYS 0 H.J. 29Minor
- Feb 25Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 2Referred to House Judiciary H.J. 194Minor
- Jan 29First Reading House H.J. 182
- Jan 28Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0 S.J. 131Passed Senate
- Jan 27Certified uncontested, placed on consent , Passed, S.J. 7
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 7Minor
- Jan 27Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 14First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 34Introduced
Criminal JusticeDisability Rights