South Dakota Legislature Codifies State Definitions for Man and Woman Across All State Statutes and Rules

Original title: define man and woman throughout the state.

Last action · March 30, 2026: Signed by the GovernorSponsors: Jon Hansen and 14 others

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What This Bill Does

South Dakota formally defines "man," "woman," "male," "female," and related terms based on biological reproductive systems, requiring all state agencies, local governments, and s to strictly apply these definitions uniformly across all state statutes, administrative rules, contracts, and policies.

Why it matters

The measure establishes mandatory state-level statutory definitions for sex and gender categories that govern all administrative operations, public entities, and state-administered programs throughout South Dakota.

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

State Agencies and Political Subdivisions

State agencies, departments, boards, and political subdivisions must strictly adhere to the newly codified definitions in all official duties, policies, and contracts.

Key Facts

House Bill 1184 establishes uniform state-level definitions for "man," "woman," "male," "female," "boy," "girl," "father," "mother," and "sex" to be applied across all state laws and administrative rules.
The statute defines a "female" as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization, excepting congenital anomalies or intentional/unintentional disruptions.
The statute defines a "male" as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes sperm for fertilization, excepting congenital anomalies or intentional/unintentional disruptions.
Every state agency, department, board, commission, institution, political subdivision, and entity exercising state authority must strictly adhere to these definitions in executing applicable duties.

Show all 6 facts

The measure specifies that these definitions apply uniformly throughout all administrative rules, contracts, guidance documents, policies, practices, and statutes of the state and its political subdivisions.
Amendments are made to existing statutory sections, including updates to terms involving general definitions, municipal ward population determinations, full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing calculations, and vehicle registration requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What entities are required to follow the new definitions?

Every state agency, department, board, commission, institution, , and any other entity exercising state authority must strictly adhere to the definitions.

How does the bill define female and male?

A female is defined as an individual who naturally has, had, will have, or would have the reproductive system that produces, transports, and utilizes eggs for fertilization (barring congenital anomaly or disruption). A male is defined by the corresponding reproductive system utilizing sperm for fertilization.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

13 actions

Mar 30, 2026HouseEnrolled
Signed by the Governor
Mar 12, 2026HouseEnrolled
Delivered to the Governor
Mar 11, 2026Senate
Signed by the President
Mar 10, 2026House
Signed by the Speaker
Mar 9, 2026SenateCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Mar 5, 2026SenateCommittee
Do Pass

Show 7 earlier actions

Mar 5, 2026Senate
Scheduled for hearing
Feb 25, 2026SenateIntroduced
First read in Senate and referred to
Feb 24, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 20, 2026HouseCommittee
Do Pass Amended
Feb 20, 2026House
Motion to amend
Feb 20, 2026House
Scheduled for hearing
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
First read in House and referred to

Version history

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