Governor Rounds Signs Bills into Law
Press Release
Governor Rounds Signs Bills into Law
Gov. Mike Rounds has signed several bills into law, including a package of bills to protect children in custody cases:
HB1090 An Act to require that most records and applications regarding a child reference the names and addresses of both parents.
HB1096 An Act to authorize the court appointment of parenting coordinators in certain custody and visitation disputes.
HB1097 An Act to provide for the imposition of certain sanctions against parties who willfully do not comply with custody or visitation decrees.
HB1099 An Act to require custody or visitation dispute mediation under certain circumstances.
HB1100 An Act to create a rebuttable presumption against the award of custody to any person with a proven history of domestic abuse.
The new laws authorize the court appointment of parenting coordinators in certain custody and visitation disputes, impose sanctions on those who don't comply with custody or visitation decrees, and offer mediation in those cases.
"Part of the responsibility of government is helping those who can't always help themselves," said Gov. Rounds. "These laws give children a voice they didn't have before in custody cases."
Gov. Rounds cites a legislative task force for studying the issues that affect kids caught in the middle of these unfortunate situations. Task force members say the most important factor is putting the children first.
"When looking at these laws through the perspective of the children, some things seemed simple; like changing the term visitation into parenting time," said Rep. Mike Vehle of Mitchell. "The non custodial parent should play a much more important role in the life of a child than being a mere visitor."
"It is especially challenging for the children as they witness difficulties between the two people who are supposed to love them the most," said Sen. Tom Hansen of Huron. "These bills addressed statutes currently dealing with child custody issues. The objective was to provide clarity and direction for consideration by the court when granting custody."
Gov. Rounds has also signed the following bills into law:
HB1129 An Act to establish the Commission on Equal Access to Our Courts and to make an appropriation therefor and to provide for the distribution of any residual funds from class action lawsuits to the commission or other nonprofit charitable organizations.
HB1139 An Act to revise certain provisions of the South Dakota Business Corporations Act regarding the issuance of shares and cumulative voting for directors.
HB1142 An Act to authorize additional off-sale retail liquor licenses in certain municipalities.
HB1203 An Act to provide for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages upon property adjoining licensed premises.
HB1255 An Act to provide for the titling and registration of certain low-speed vehicles.
HB1263 An Act to establish a hunter mentoring program, to authorize hunting under certain conditions by persons less than sixteen years of age, and to authorize the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to promulgate rules.
HB1272 An Act to revise the defined sources of renewable electricity and recycled energy.
SB0034 An Act to allow certified nurse midwives to attend out-of-hospital births under certain circumstances.
SB0041 An Act to revise certain provisions regarding the regulation of public storage warehouses.
SB0042 An Act to repeal certain provisions regarding the regulation of public warehouses by the Public Utilities Commission.
SB0064 An Act to provide certain provisions regarding the regulation of recreational park trailers.
SB0068 An Act to repeal certain provisions regarding mufflers on motorcycles.
SB0080 An Act to restrict the release or use of social security numbers by the state and its political subdivisions unless certain security measures are taken.
SB0082 An Act to revise certain provisions concerning the accumulation of funds by counties for capital outlay purposes.
SB0087 An Act to reduce the period of effectiveness for cease and desist orders issued to certain dealers.
SB0088 An Act to require abortion facilities to offer sonograms to pregnant women under certain circumstances.
SB0097 An Act to revise certain provisions regarding property condition disclosure statements.
SB0124 An Act to revise certain provisions related to format standards for real estate documents.
SB0156 An Act to revise certain provisions regarding special motor vehicle license plates for veterans with a disability, prisoners of war, Pearl Harbor survivors, and Purple Heart recipients.
SB0157 An Act to revise the surety bond requirements for persons employed by mortgage brokerages.
SB0163 An Act to revise certain provisions related to the initiation of modifications to county comprehensive plans.
Source