The proposed bill introduces new provisions allowing for the immediate sealing of court files in cases where protection order petitions are dismissed. Specifically, if a petition filed under South Dakota law sections 22-19A-8 or 25-10-3 is dismissed—either at the initial stage or following a hearing—the court is granted the authority to seal the associated court file.

This measure aims to enhance privacy for individuals involved in dismissed protection order cases, ensuring that their personal information is not publicly accessible once the court has determined that the petition should not proceed. The bill adds these provisions as new sections to the relevant chapters of South Dakota law, thereby formalizing the process for sealing such court files.