Bill > HB1268

This bill proposes to repeal capital punishment, which is the death penalty, by amending several existing South Dakota laws. Specifically, it removes references to "Class A felonies," which are the most serious crimes that previously carried the possibility of a death sentence, and reclassifies certain offenses. For instance, first-degree murder, previously a Class A felony, would now be a Class B felony. The bill also clarifies that defendants charged with crimes that could have resulted in a death sentence, but who have not yet been convicted and sentenced to death before July 1, 2026, cannot be sentenced to death. Importantly, this bill does not affect any death sentences that were already imposed before July 1, 2026, regardless of any appeals.

Justice

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/26524