South Dakota House Bill 1216 amends mandatory child abuse reporting laws and confidentiality rules

Original title: revise the list of mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Last action · February 11, 2026: Deferred to the 41st legislative daySponsors: Erin Healy and 4 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

South Dakota House Bill 1216 revises the list of s required to report suspected child abuse or neglect and addresses the waiver of confidentiality privileges in related judicial proceedings.

Why it matters

Determines which specific professional and volunteer groups face criminal misdemeanor charges for intentionally failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Who It Would Have Affected

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

Directly affected

Mandatory Reporters

Professionals and volunteers listed in the statute are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under threat of misdemeanor charges for intentional failure.

Directly affected

Minors

Children under eighteen are the subjects of the reporting requirements and protective judicial proceedings outlined in the measure.

Key Facts

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under this bill?

Specified professionals and volunteers—including medical personnel, mental health professionals, clergy, religious healing practitioners, social workers, law enforcement officers, teachers, school counselors, child welfare providers, and safety-sensitive position employees—must report reasonable cause of child abuse or neglect.

What is the penalty for intentionally failing to report?

Any person who intentionally fails to make the required report is guilty of a .

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

5 actions

Feb 11, 2026House
Deferred to the 41st legislative day
Feb 11, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass
Feb 11, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
First Reading House

Version history

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

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