South DakotaPeople at suicide attempts could face penalties for failing to call
If adopted, people at the scene would have to promptly seek emergency help for a suicide attempt or dangerous self-harm, unless a listed defense applies.
What it does
A person at the scene who intentionally fails to promptly get help for a suicide attempt or dangerous self-harm could face a misdemeanor, with listed defenses.
Argument forA clear duty to call for help could bring emergency assistance sooner to someone at risk of serious injury.
Argument againstPeople could face a misdemeanor over whether they called promptly, even when the emergency made it hard to know what help was possible.
More detail
A person who meets the listed conditions would commit a misdemeanor by intentionally failing to promptly summon emergency help. The rule would apply to a person physically present at the scene who knows of the attempt or qualifying self-harm. The person must be physically present and know that someone is attempting suicide or has self-harmed in a way that creates an immediate risk of serious bodily injury. A defense would apply if the person reasonably feared immediate harm to themselves or others, reasonably believed help had already been called, was under 18, or could not reasonably summon help. The text gives no start date.
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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 4Judiciary Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 4Latest
- Vote recorded Deferred to the 41st legislative day. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 10First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 279Minor
- Feb 9Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 24, NAYS 9 S.J. 222
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Judiciary Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 14
- Vote recorded Do Pass Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Judiciary Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 13 Amendment 122AMajor
- Feb 5Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
- Feb 3Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 26First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 112Introduced
- Mar 4Judiciary Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 4Latest
Criminal JusticePublic Safety