South Dakota criminalizes worship-service interference and sets Class 5 felony penalty for trespass near houses of worship

Original title: establish the crime of trespass upon a place of worship, provide a penalty therefor, and declare an emergency.

Last action · February 4, 2026: Do Pass AmendedSponsors: Brandei Schaefbauer and 13 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.

What This Bill Proposed

Official description

establish the crime of trespass upon a place of worship, provide a penalty therefor, and declare an emergency.

Why it matters

People near houses of worship during service times face felony prosecution if their presence is found to be for disruption, harassment, political intimidation, or instilling fear.

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

Congregants and employees of places of worship

Individuals attending or working at places of worship gain a protected buffer zone and criminal penalties against disruption, harassment, and political intimidation during service times.

Directly affected

Individuals near places of worship during service times

Anyone present within fifty feet of a place of worship one hour before or after a service is subject to felony prosecution if authorities find prohibited intent to disrupt, harass, or intimidate.

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

What behavior near a place of worship is prohibited by this bill?

Entering or remaining on the premises or within fifty feet of any exit one hour before or after a worship service with the intent to disrupt services, harass congregants or staff, engage in political intimidation, or incite fear of violence is prohibited.

How is a place of worship defined in the bill?

It is defined as a structure where people regularly assemble for worship, ceremonies, rituals, and religious education, and which a reasonable person would conclude is a place of worship based on design, signs, or architecture.

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

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

Procedural history

6 actions

Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 2, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 2, 2026House
Motion to amend
Feb 2, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Jan 26, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to
Jan 23, 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.

View official text →