South DakotaSouth Dakota makes threats or violence to stop religious acts a felony
South Dakota law makes it a Class 6 felony to intentionally use threats or violence to stop someone from performing a lawful act required or recommended by their religion.
What it does
A person who intentionally uses threats or violence to stop someone from performing a lawful act required or recommended by their religion commits a Class 6 felony.
Argument forThe felony penalty may deter people from using threats or violence to stop someone from carrying out a lawful religious act.
Argument againstA person could face a felony conviction for stopping a lawful religious act, even though the text sets no harm requirement.
More detail
A person who intentionally uses threats or violence to stop another person from performing a lawful religious act commits a Class 6 felony. The act must be lawful and required or recommended by the religion the other person professes. The person must act intentionally and use a threat or violence.
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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 10Signed by the Governor Larry Rhoden on 2026-03-10 S.J. 514Became 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 48, NAYS 18 H.J. 460Passed House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 2 H.J. 29Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Scheduled for hearing
- Feb 5First read in House and referred to House Judiciary H.J. 238Minor
- Feb 4Senate Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 30, NAYS 4 S.J. 185Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Judiciary Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 0 S.J. 12Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Scheduled for hearing
- Jan 23First read in Senate and referred to Senate Judiciary S.J. 92Introduced
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