The bill amends South Dakota law to include coaches of school activities as mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, it modifies the existing statute 26-8A-3, which outlines the professionals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The new legal language adds "coach of a school activity" to the list of individuals who must report if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child under the age of eighteen has been abused or neglected.

This change emphasizes the importance of coaches in safeguarding children and ensures that they are held to the same reporting standards as other professionals who interact with minors. The bill maintains the existing penalties for failing to report, classifying intentional non-compliance as a Class 1 misdemeanor, while also allowing any person who suspects abuse or neglect to report the information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/28/2026: 26-8A-3
House Judiciary Engrossed, 02/06/2026: 26-8A-3
House Engrossed, 02/11/2026: 26-8A-3
Enrolled, 03/10/2026: 26-8A-3