Part ofCrimes →

The civic record

Read. Follow. Verify.

HB 1108SOUTH DAKOTASession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

South Dakota requires sealing of dismissed or frivolous protection order court files

Original title: require the sealing of court files upon dismissal or denial of a petition for a protection order.

Last action · March 30, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Mike Stevens and 11 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

South Dakota law requires the immediate ing of court files and supporting documents when a protection order petition is dismissed without a hearing, and mandates sealing denied petitions if found to be , harassing, or without a basis in law or fact.

Why it matters

People involved in dismissed or unsupported protection order proceedings see their court files and associated law enforcement records removed from public view, affecting record transparency and privacy for both petitioners and respondents.

Background

Protection orders are civil court orders issued to protect individuals from domestic abuse, stalking, or physical harm. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Unified Judicial System

Must update electronic record maintenance procedures to apply court file sealing retroactively.

Directly affected

law enforcement

Must make any record of sealed protection order petitions nonpublic upon receiving notification from the court.

Directly affected

petitioners and respondents

Subject to having case files sealed from public view when petitions are dismissed without a hearing or denied as frivolous.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the court automatically seal a protection order file?

The clerk of court must immediately the petition and supporting documents if the court dismisses a protection order petition without a hearing.

What happens if a protection order petition is denied after a hearing?

The court must the case if it makes a specific finding on the record that the petition had no basis in fact or law and was harassing, , or abusive.

Are older electronic court records affected by this law?

Yes, the Unified Judicial System is required to apply these ing provisions retroactively to all court records maintained electronically.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

Mar 30, 2026HouseEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
Mar 11, 2026HouseEnrolled
Delivered to the Governor
Mar 10, 2026Senate
Signed by the President
Mar 9, 2026House
Signed by the Speaker
Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Mar 3, 2026SenateCommittee
Do Pass

Show 8 earlier actions

Mar 3, 2026Senate
Scheduled for hearing
Feb 20, 2026SenateCommittee
Referred to
Feb 19, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Senate
Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 11, 2026House
Motion to amend
Feb 11, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroduced
First read in House and referred to

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →