Press Releases

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of South Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged. For media inquiries, email [email protected].

Feb 26, 2019

Senate tables bill to study alternatives to tough-on-crime approaches to drug addiction

The ACLU of South Dakota supported Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, legislation that would have created a task force to study and make legislative proposals regarding alternatives to incarceration for those convicted of the crime of ingestion of controlled substances.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice
Feb 25, 2019

ACLU of South Dakota commends decision to kill anti-transgender sports bill

The ACLU of South Dakota opposed House Bill 1225, legislation that would have restricted participation in high school athletic activities to the gender listed on a person’s birth certificate.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 22, 2019

ACLU of South Dakota commends decision to kill House Bill 1108

The ACLU of South Dakota opposed House Bill 1108, legislation that would have banned instruction on gender dysphoria and would have codified discrimination against transgender youth.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 21, 2019

Anti-transgender sports bill will be heard on the House floor

The ACLU of South Dakota opposes House Bill 1225, legislation that would restrict participation in high school athletic activities to the gender listed on a person’s birth certificate.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 21, 2019

Senate Judiciary Committee votes to advance repeal of presumptive probation

The ACLU of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 19, legislation that would repeal presumptive probation.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice
Feb 14, 2019

Americans for Prosperity and American Civil Liberties Union Come Together to Support Presumptive Probation

If passed, this legislation would repeal presumptive probation, originally instituted with a series of criminal justice reforms during the 2013 legislative session. Presumptive probation allows low-level offenders to rehabilitate their lives without adding to our overcrowded prison population.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice
Feb 13, 2019

S.D. Senate stops bill to prohibit capital punishment for people with serious mental illness

The ACLU of South Dakota supported Senate Bill 71 and is disappointed that it won’t move on to the House. Capital punishment is an intolerable denial of civil liberties and is inconsistent with the fundamental values of our democratic system.
Issue Areas: Capital Punishment
Feb 13, 2019

Newspaper ad shows widespread opposition to legislation targeting transgender student athletes

Full-page ad in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader shows the widespread opposition to a bill that targets transgender student athletes.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 12, 2019

South Dakota House passes discriminatory anti-transgender bill

House Bill 1108 would codify discrimination against transgender youth and thwart teachers, administrators and counselors from creating a safe and welcoming educational environment for all students in our public schools.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights