South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SB82: prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor.
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
What the bill says
An Act ENTITLED An Act to prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor.
From the enrolled text, March 1, 2026:
An Act ENTITLED An Act to prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-35: An individual may not, directly or indirectly through statements or conduct, intentionally misrepresent an animal in that individual's possession as a service animal in any place of public accommodation to obtain any rights or privileges available to an individual who qualifies for a service animal under state or federal law, knowing that the individual is not entitled to those rights or privileges. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, "service animal" means a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, as set forth in 28 C.F.R. § 36.104 (January 1, 2026), provided the work or tasks performed by the dog are directly related to the individual's disability. The crime deterrent effects of a dog's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks. An Act to prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor. I certify that the attached …
Sponsors
- Taffy Howard (R, 34) · primary sponsor
- John Shubeck (R, HD-016) · primary sponsor
- Heather Baxter (R, HD-034)
- John Carley (R, SD-029)
- Timothy Goodwin (R, HD-030)
- Kevin Jensen (R, SD-016)
- Phil Jensen (R, 33)
- Scott Moore (R, HD-023)
- Will Mortenson (R, HD-024)
- Lauren Nelson (R, SD-018)
- Carl Perry (R, 03)
- Tom Pischke (R, 25)
Latest actions
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Delivered to the Governor
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President
- : Do Pass
- : Certified uncontested, placed on consent
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : Referred to Judiciary
- : First Reading House
Votes
- Do Pass (February 26, 2026): 66 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 25, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 28, 2026): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 27, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Crimes, Trespass, Penalty, Animals and Livestock
Common questions
- What is SB82?
- SB82 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor.
- What does SB82 do?
- In its own words: An Act ENTITLED An Act to prohibit the misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal and to provide a penalty therefor.
- What is the status of SB82?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by the Governor (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB82?
- Taffy Howard (R, 34), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB82?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26554
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.