This bill introduces a new definition for "nonpublic school" in South Dakota law, specifying that such institutions are governed by bodies other than publicly-elected boards and are created to instruct children of compulsory school age in fundamental subjects, particularly mathematics and English. The bill outlines that nonpublic schools may limit enrollment, charge tuition, receive federal or state funding, and obtain services from school districts. However, they are not assigned a geographic territory for collecting public tax revenue and are ineligible for state education aid.

Additionally, the bill states that while nonpublic schools may seek accreditation from the Department of Education or recognized accrediting agencies, they are not required to do so. Furthermore, teachers at nonaccredited nonpublic schools are not mandated to hold certification as per existing educational regulations. This legislation aims to clarify the operational framework and regulatory environment for nonpublic schools in South Dakota.