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Bill

HB 1187

add coaches to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Emery and 7 co-sponsors

South Dakota law now requires coaches to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities, expanding mandatory reporter protections to youth-facing professionals with direct athlete access.

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 H.J. 578
#childabuse #minors
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Bill Summary · HB 1187

Legislative bill overview

HB 1187 expands South Dakota's mandatory reporter requirements by adding coaches to the list of professionals legally obligated to report suspected child abuse or neglect to authorities. Coaches would join teachers, healthcare providers, social workers, and other designated professionals in this reporting duty.

Why is this important

Coaches have frequent, often unsupervised access to children and are in a unique position to observe signs of abuse or neglect. This change could increase the number of potential abuse cases identified early, potentially preventing harm. However, it also creates new legal and operational responsibilities for coaches and youth organizations.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and scope: What specific coaching roles are covered (school vs. recreational, part-time vs. full-time) and whether this creates compliance burdens for small organizations and volunteer coaches
  • Training and liability: Whether coaches receive adequate training on recognizing abuse signs and what legal protections exist if they report in good faith versus penalties for failure to report
  • False reporting concerns: Potential for increased reports based on misinterpretation of normal childhood injuries or disciplinary marks, and how the system handles unsubstantiated claims

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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