The bill proposes the repeal of capital punishment in South Dakota by amending existing law regarding felony classifications and their associated penalties. Specifically, it removes the possibility of a death sentence for Class A felonies, replacing it with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty. The bill also introduces new provisions stating that any defendant charged with a crime that carries a potential death sentence, and who has not been convicted and sentenced to death by July 1, 2025, cannot be sentenced to death.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not affect any death sentences that have already been imposed prior to July 1, 2025. This means that any executions or legal proceedings related to those sentences will continue unaffected by the new law. The intent of the bill is to eliminate the death penalty moving forward while maintaining the status of existing death sentences.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2025: 22-6-1